We seem to be hard wired to have some form of faith. I assume it comes from the Darwinian notion of altruism, as exhibited by any species in one form or another. Our somewhat advanced notion of awareness and ease of communication inevitably leads to group agreement of such matters, or religion as we call it.

I am not too sure about faith being connected to altruism, Musket, but I see where you are with that.

Humans, being mainly social animals, use reciprocal altruism that almost certainly evolved (as in other animals) as a survival strategy. True altruism is rare, but it is exhibited by humans for sure.

I have thought about your comment a great deal and cannot think of a mechanism where faith would evolve in such way BUT that does not mean I do not think it has not happened. I simply cannot think what the primer would be. We certainly seem to have a deeper need to believe in something (even if that something is nothing as in atheists) and much good science and religion may have stemmed from that need. But science does indeed seek answers and religion poses many questions.

Once we started socialising and having language I well imagine it would not take long before the 'supernatural' events that were happening in nature would need some explanation. I guess our minds were hard wired back then with more empty space than they now are and within that space all sorts of theories were conjoured up in explanation of natural events. Back then, as now, the better orators would have been able to convince those around them of what was happening. Memes spread very fast so it is not surprising that civilisation now has these artefacts that can often haunt some. I do believe some minds are more open to suggestion than others and that some folk are better at placing ideas in those minds than others. If it's fopr good then I am all for it. What we are concerned about in this topic is perhaps when it is for the bad. Though I do think bigotry has a certain mindset, I do not believe people are born with it. They are taught it.

Now I say that from my stance as an agnostic. That is not to say I do not respect those decent religious scholars and followers who also seek truth and answers. It has nothing to do with me what they believe as long as it is not against me. And there are many religious folk who are just as decent as atheists, agnostics, etc. Takes all kinds to make a society. I believe that most people are actually good and want good for others. We see it all the time on mudcat as an example.

I am curious. Do you have a mechanism in mind that will show me how altruism and spirituality are/can be connected, or is it, like mine, a personal opinion?

Many thanks

mp

I will add, from other comments in the thread, that if homosexuality is a choice, and we accept that, then being straight must also be a choice and therein lies all sorts of things concerning fluidity within sexuality.

Personally I do not believe it is a choice. No person would choose to live a life of villification and insult if they had another option. I do not believe that one gene is responsible either. I think it is a group of genes that may also be affectred environmentally, pre and post birth. But then we look to epigenetics for answers. They will come!