RE: The use of Religion to control, manipulate, and gain power
September 21, 2014 at 12:29 am
(This post was last modified: September 21, 2014 at 12:31 am by The Grand Nudger.)
Well, we do tend to feel that way even without the re-enforcing structure of religion. We see things a certain way ourselves - and it leads to us imagining that other "stuff" has a similar experience. I think religion is more of an opportunist than any sort of causative agent in that behavior.
Evolution doesn't really work that way, in any case - evolving into some solution to a defined problem. If religion increased your progeny (either absolutely or in a relative sense) then it would be actionable on the population level - it wouldn't really matter -why- whether it was toeing the line and thus being seen by propspective mates as more "fit" or simply a willingness (and justification) to kill everyone else's children.
Much more likely is that the same equipment that inculcates religious thought has other, more concrete, reproductive and survival benefits.
Evolution doesn't really work that way, in any case - evolving into some solution to a defined problem. If religion increased your progeny (either absolutely or in a relative sense) then it would be actionable on the population level - it wouldn't really matter -why- whether it was toeing the line and thus being seen by propspective mates as more "fit" or simply a willingness (and justification) to kill everyone else's children.
Much more likely is that the same equipment that inculcates religious thought has other, more concrete, reproductive and survival benefits.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
