There was a book about the ways in which societies with religion were generally more successful than societies without religion. Enter stage left: Evolution. Next scene: No societies without religion. Something to do with everybody pulling in the same direction, I seem to remember. The pertinent question is, do we want what's good for society or do we want what's good for individuals? (Bertrand Russell took a good long look at this and opened an alternative school, didn't he?) Usually can't have it both ways. then there's the guy here at our neighbour institution, Laurentian University, with the theory about the god-shaped hole we have in our lives or psyches. He of the god-helmet. Read Ecclesiastes, yes. And then read Gilgamesh, paying especial attention to Siduri, the little barmaid. Barmaids know a lot. Ursula, wishing all the Canadians here food and fun and fellowhip... (what the hell, the rest of you have a great weekend, too.) JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx wrote: > ><<I can't find the article on religion being a genetic thing. Don't even >remember where I saw it. I suspect the predisposition to religion is like >the >predisposition to language or the ability to create art and literature, but >I will reserve judgment until I find the God-forsaken thing. Genetics may >answer the question as to why we seem to need God more than God needs us. >I'll >dig up Ecclesiastes this weekend and read a verse or two.>> > >I don't get the concept of religion being a "genetic" thing. You mean >genetic to humans as oppposed to say, dogs, or ameobas or Martians? You mean >passed on genetically?? You really need to look into Negative Theology -- >it's >right up your path. And no, you can't read a verse or two. If you're going >to read any of Ecc. and not die you have to read it all in one sitting. >Don't ask me why. It's just how it is. Ask Erin. She probably knows. > >Julie Krueger > > > >========Original Message======== Subj: [lit-ideas] Re: The Essence of >This Date: 10/8/04 12:16:18 PM Central Daylight Time From: >_aamago@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:aamago@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) To: >_lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >(mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) , _lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >(mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Sent on: >-----Original Message----- >From: JimKandJulieB@xxxxxxx >Sent: Oct 7, 2004 10:18 PM >To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: The Essence of This > >And with good reason. (And some that should have, IMHO, didn't.) I >personally believe Ecclesiastes made it so there would be something helpful >for >secularists to read in primarily sacred texts. And because it's universal >in its >message. > >Julie Krueger > > > >With good reason depending on who was doing the censoring. I've never taken >much interest in the Bible, but one day I'll read Ecclesiastes. In the >meantime, I re-read that story on information not being able to be destroyed. > >While Science News refers to concrete things such as books, they don't define >"information". Negatively and positively charged particles inside and >outside black holes. Yeah, so? Too other-dimensional for me. > >In the meantime, I can't find the article on religion being a genetic thing. > Don't even remember where I saw it. I suspect the predisposition to >religion is like the predisposition to language or the ability to create art >and >literature, but I will reserve judgment until I find the God-forsaken thing. >Genetics may answer the question as to why we seem to need God more than God >needs us. I'll dig up Ecclesiastes this weekend and read a verse or two. > > >Andy Amago > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------ >To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, >digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html > >------------------------------------------------------------------ >To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, >digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html > > >------------------------------------------------------------------ >To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, >digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html