Is there a "God gene" ? Can the belief in God(s) be inherited? Or is it merely a question of environment?

Answer 1

I inherited two gods from my uncle.... Do you think I am lucky?

GOD is the shortest fiction ever written by MAN.

Answer 2

If belief in a God is a learned behavior, then would it not stand to reason that there would have never been a belief in God to begin with. As the first humans would not have had anyone to teach them. I believe that can be both learned from a persons home environment such as parents,but also from early people questioning how it all (earth and humans) got started.

Answer 3

In order to know God, human should use his/her intelligence and mind. Through investigating the environment, plants, animals, the laws in the nature someone may have an idea about the creator of the world. For example: William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". When someone reads this book or watch the play in theatre, he/she may have an imagination of the qualifications and abilities of the author, Shakespeare. "How a mastermind, very clear intelligence, deep knowledge of linguistics, psychology, sociology etc. Similarly, for instance, when investigating a falcon, by exploring the DNA of the falcon, someone easily may have an opinion about the "producer or author" of the DNA of the animal. The DNA (like a huge book) may give lots of information about the abilities and knowledge of the producer of DNA. He has perfect knowledge about physic, biology, chemistry, meteorology and other positive sciences. Ranging from the design of internal organs of the falcon and the harmonization between them, nutrition system, respiratory system, blood stream system, and the excellent design of wings.. to the needs of a new born falcon and the services given by its mother (feeding, protecting with high sacrifice). The author of the perfect DNA and the producer (e.g. creator) of the perfect falcon can be known by using the intelligence and mind.

Answer 4

There is a Wiki article on this, I just read it a few days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_gene

Haven't had time to look into it in any depth yet, but it seems that it could be a plausible explanation for why non-believers and believers, as groups, tend to exhibit similar traits. That is not to exclude the influence of "nurture", of course, but genetic predisposition can't be ruled out without some investigation.

Answer 5

That's a good question. I've wondered the same thing myself. Why is it that so many religions began in the middle east. Do the people there have a penchant for visions, and revelations, and could it be genetic? The people of the middle east seem to be able to harbor a grudge for extremely long times. Again, could they be genetically predisposed to this?

Answer 6

Our religions are learned; the need to have a religion and belief system is built into most humans.

Answer 7

if there is, it might be for the children of Adam and eve; Armenians, Greeks, Arabs, Hebrews, Egyptians, Yemenis, Libyans, and Ethiopians. which make them responsible to guide the rest of the human race to god. but what's the evidence?

Answer 8

Invironment. We do have something whether or not it is a gene or not I do not know, but something inside most of us causes us to want to worship a god or gods. But what we believe is mosty invironment.

Answer 9

I don't think it can be inherited as much as taught by parents/relatives; nurture as opposed to nature.

Answer 10

personally, i think God is learned..without someone telling me i should belive there is a "Higher Being" most wouldnt even question it. I dont think you are born to belive in anything..everything you know was learned from your parents.