Random Topical Musings in the Era of Manipulated Living
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Explaining Religious Belief
The NYT ran this nice little article in Sunday's Magazine. It deals (all too briefly, really) with some interesting problems in providing an evolutionary explanation for religious belief. Thought provoking, at least.
Religious belief? Nothing to explain. There is actually no difference between the various belief models we know and love:
Monotheist: Something we refer to as "God" created Everything that is, has been, will be and could be (ETI).
Polytheist: Some entities have power over some parts of everything that is, has been, will be and could be (ETI); other entities have power over other parts of ETI. Some entities have created some things. Other entities have created other things. Everything and anything has been created by one or other entity. We refer to these entities as "gods".
Atheist: Reality comprises everything that is, has been, will be and could be (ETI). Sometimes we call the whole, "the universe". At other times we call the whole, "Reality". At other times we call the whole, "the Multiverse". We call the parts by many different names, eg "matter", "energy", "gravity" etc.
Pantheist: Everything that is, has been, will be and could be comprises a whole that is alive, aware, growing and learning. We don't care what we call the whole. It doesn't matter. We can call the ETI "God" if you like.
1 comment:
Religious belief? Nothing to explain. There is actually no difference between the various belief models we know and love:
Monotheist:
Something we refer to as "God" created Everything that is, has been, will be and could be (ETI).
Polytheist:
Some entities have power over some parts of everything that is, has been, will be and could be (ETI); other entities have power over other parts of ETI. Some entities have created some things. Other entities have created other things. Everything and anything has been created by one or other entity. We refer to these entities as "gods".
Atheist:
Reality comprises everything that is, has been, will be and could be (ETI). Sometimes we call the whole, "the universe". At other times we call the whole, "Reality". At other times we call the whole, "the Multiverse". We call the parts by many different names, eg "matter", "energy", "gravity" etc.
Pantheist:
Everything that is, has been, will be and could be comprises a whole that is alive, aware, growing and learning. We don't care what we call the whole. It doesn't matter. We can call the ETI "God" if you like.
continues at mumbo jumbo
portal to the multiverse
wicked and sick
manic memes
pathetic poetry
mumbo jumbo
very short stories
ATLF: authorised bulletins
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