Another night alone in thought...

[sumgai]

Hi I'm sumgai. I was just writing some thoughts in my notebook and I feel the need to share them with someone. I just transcribed this right out of my notebook so I'm sorry if it looks a little rushed and vulgar. Thanks for listening; here's what I wrote:

No matter how much we try to sugarcoat life and try to make it spiritual, the truth remains that we are only animals. "Happiness" and all emotions exist to drive us toward survival and replication.

It just sucks that our intelligence is so greatly evolved that instead of living a simple life like other animals (eat, sleep, ****, take a ****, and repeat) we have the capacity to make thoughtful observations, to realize that we are born, we survive and replicate if we are genetically fit for our environment, and we die.

The knowledge that everyone dies conflicts with our instincts -- we want to survive! This causes confusion: we are here to survive and replicate, but what's the point of all that if everyone is going to die anyway?

Those who realize that there is no answer to this question are genetically unfit for their environment and are less likely to survive and replicate.

Others who are more biologically advanced and genetically fit for their environment create the fantasy of religion to cope with the knowledge of their impending deaths. These people are more likely to survive and replicate.

Belief in a religion is just another genetic trait to aid in survival and replication.

Thanks again for listening. These are just some thoughts that I had tonight. Any thoughts or corrections are welcome.

[Sunstone]

Welcome to the Forum. Interesting thoughts!

[Sunstone]

I'm not sure belief in religion actually promotes reproduction and survival. Instead, I see belief in religion as a side effect of traits that do promote reproduction and survival.

[rocketman]

Originally Posted by sumgai

Hi I'm sumga

Welcome sumgai! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Originally Posted by sumgai

Belief in a religion is just another genetic trait to aid in survival and replication.

What about Martyrs? Would you say they are more advanced or less advanced genetically?

[The Voice of Reason]

Welcome, and may I say that that is an interesting opening post.

I agree with the vast majority of your post, but I would take exception with your conclusion that "religion is a genetic trait".

I would submit that religion is an attempt by man to help resolve his knowledge of his impending death (a fate which is not shared by other animals).

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

I agree with the vast majority of your post, but I would take exception with your conclusion that "religion is a genetic trait".

On the other hand, I'm of the superior opinion that religion is an outgrowth of certain human traits which do indeed have a genetic basis. Of course, I take that view mainly because it annoys TVOR.

I would submit that religion is an attempt by man to help resolve his knowledge of his impending death (a fate which is not shared by other animals).

I don't think that view is ultimately incompatible with my own superior view that religion is an outgrowth of certain human traits which do indeed have a genetic basis.

[Mjolnir]

I believe religion is man trying to make sense of death and this life, I do no think it has anything to do with our genetics. If anything, it appears that religion is against our genetic code.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Welcome.

Originally Posted by sumgai

I think it's great.