Evolutionary biology adopting religious traits

[bennyboy]

Part of the problem is that whenever I mention the idea of science and secular humanism taking on religious characteristics, the resident proponents blow a gasket.

It is quite simple. Science uses evidence, empirical data and logic. Religions use "goddidit". They have nothing in common.

I don't think it's quite that simple. I'm pretty sure that many religious doctrines came out of primitive "science." For example, not eating shellfish, or not storing pork, meat or dairy in particular circumstances, would be an observation-- and the religious commandments could bypass the ignorance and superstitions that made people suspicious of any changes they were told they should make.