A rerun, a repeat from the darkness of the middle of last night, which I share with you chaps again. Not many folks are up and at his or her work, in my case playwriting, as early as I am. I posted here:
Hey, maybe it's like being straight or gay--you're born that way.
“An American molecular geneticist has concluded after comparing more than 2,000 DNA samples that a person's capacity to believe in God is linked to brain chemicals. … Studies on twins showed that those with this gene, a vesicular monoamine transporter that regulates the flow of mood-altering chemicals in the brain, were more likely to develop a spiritual belief. “
Additional Details
10 hours ago
The source was "The God Gene: How Faith Is Hard-Wired Into Our Genes," by Dean Hamer, reported in The Washington Times, a conservative daily in D.C.
10 hours ago
I was unclear. It is a book by Mr. Hamer, which The Washington Times was writing about.
2007-06-08 07:18:02 · 9 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you are lead by example. not genes.
2007-06-08 07:21:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's good to stay current on this sort of thing, though I spend more time staying current on a different subarea of neuroscience.
I should search Pub Med for some papers on the subject.
Edit: Does the book cite anything in particular? Hamer does not appear to have authored any papers on the subject (he's too busy studying genetics--I see 21 papers he's coauthored recently), but he probably knows people who have.
2007-06-08 14:23:11 · answer #2 · answered by Minh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spirituality has also been linked to mental illness, epilepsy and a whole bunch of other brain chemistry. It makes sense, this study, while it doesn't really give us much, is one of the things that may one day help us understand the biochemical nature of life and the soul. Musical talent has been shown to have a genetic component, but it is a skill that is learned. Nature and Nurture are intricately intertwined and cannot be so easily separated.
2007-06-08 14:25:52 · answer #3 · answered by Momofthreeboys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you want this answered? It is more a statement on your part. I think that you are raised from an infant to believe in God (Allah,Buddah,etc.)that you are going to believe that way. Of course, everyone can make their own choices as adults, but all this gene stuff?????
2007-06-08 14:23:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I may be religious myself, but no-I don't think this has anything to do with the validity of religious experience itself. Alcoholism is 'wired' into our brain chemisty-that isn't an argument in favor of alcoholism.
2007-06-08 14:24:07 · answer #5 · answered by xpickxyrxpoisonx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, that either points towards pre-destination or atheism as the truth. Either way, no need for me to change, as if the first is true, I'm destined for hell, and if the second, I'm already correct.
2007-06-08 14:37:52 · answer #6 · answered by manic.fruit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting, I'm not sure if the info is reliable though.
2007-06-08 14:21:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you just call religion a genetic condition?
2007-06-08 14:21:36 · answer #8 · answered by 006 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, we could develop a pill for it, and "cure" them.
2007-06-08 14:21:47 · answer #9 · answered by Sapere Aude 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋