Have you heard of the "God Gene"?

Question

there is a gene that scientists have isolated in people who 'believe' in God.

I saw a documentary on it...so if it is true, do you think it means:

1-spirituality is a genetic evolutionary trait

2-there really are 'chosen ones' and heavenly blood lines

3-there are things we don't understand about genes and how could they know this or not.

4-other


I don't want to offend any one so please don't comment harshly about point 2...thanks in advance.

Answer 1

it sounds like a case of searching for biological reasons for people's behavior, and pardon if i seem skeptical. people are inherently choosy and unpredictable, and there doesn't have to be a 'reason' for them to act the way they do. saying "i have a genetic disposition for ___" is a convenient way to rationalize said behavior. if you have the 'trait 'of spirituality because of your heritage, does that mean you cannot shed it if you try? (think.. homosexuality... sickle cell anemia... blond hair..)

i haven't seen the documentary myself. perhaps i could be persuaded if i knew WHO funded and carried out the research and WHAT they were trying to prove. but for the sake of the question, let's pretend it IS true.

1) it would seem to indicate that spirituality is inherited. OR it could mean also that one's ancestors along a certain genetic line were true believers as well, and you've not only inherited their genes, but their belief systems.

2) of course someone who can claim 'regal' or 'heavenly' blood lines will use it to explain why they should get special treatment, free land, (a 'chosen' land, if you will) or favors. bad thing. leads to resentment by those 'less fortunate'.

3) exactly. you cannot prove or disprove an individual's behavior by genes. or by ANYthing biological. you can increase or decrease the odds, but you cannot predict with 100% certainty. 'unable' people prove themselves 'able' and do great things every day. there are things we do not understand. this admission is not bad; it's good to admit. we'll keep searching, and seek to understand.

Answer 2

I've heard of it. Perhaps it's basically a gene which shapes the neurones so some people need more external support than others, or are more gullible. Or perhaps it might have something to do with the susceptibility to addiction. I reckon real spirituality is a function of intelligence and awareness more than a belief in the supernatural; and cannot believe in chosen ones etc; accept there is much we don't understand; but I can live with all that far more happily than with any beliefs in the supernatural based on anyone's "scripture". Stand on quietly, say I, and all will be revealed - some time, perhaps.

Answer 3

Religion and god is as real as the tooth fairy....primitive man needed the 'religious experience' to survive in a hostile universe. The unknown was explained by the supernatural, the idea of an afterlife cushioned people from the grim aspects of death, in short, it was a survival mechanism developed within the temporal lobe of all human brains.

Modern man has developed rational thought and controls much of the environment, to the extent of knowing how 'things operate'. But obsolete genes do not die overnight, therefore you'll always be seeing people believing in religion, god and the supernatural.

I read about some interesting studies by scientists of the temporal lobe regions that are 'mis-firing' or giving off 'unbalanced' neuroligical signals. Some of the studies are intrigueing, they can duplicate 'religious experiences' in blind tests of humans.

It was already known that the more primitive limbic system of our brains contain the raw emotion where our religious beliefs spring forth. The development of the cerebral cortex (or the thinking and rational part of the brain) is only a recent development in humans, say the last 40,000-100,000 years.

It is also well known that the 'god-gene' (for lack of a better description) is triggered during times of duress, high anxiety, near death or starvation, and other high emotional episodes. It was our survival instinct that developed this so-called god-gene. Now, scientists can atificially trigger that response under laboratory conditions by narrowing the focus to the temporal regions of the brain. Further studies are being conducted to study this gene and its effect on our development as a species

Answer 4

You are absolutely balanced in your question and therefore there should be no case for anyone to feel hurt or offended, except due to own shortcoming or bias.

Assuming there indeed is a 'god' gene, it wouldn't imply the 'chosen ones'.... because there is no way we can imagine that God can have any reason or criterion to choose some in preference to others.... the 'chosen ones' are just those who want to feel superior by imagining such a status and in reality, they suffer from an inferiority complex and that is why they want to lean on God or fake a 'chosen one' status for themselves.

I find it difficult to believe that genes can influence our beliefs..... beliefs in my view are the result of family/social influence coupled with life experiences. Almost anyone barring exceptionally strong-willed people can be brainwashed and that requires neither injecting nor flushing out any specific genes. On the face of it therefore, I am unable to accept the scientific 'claims' of having isolated a 'god gene'..... at least not until they inject a non-believer like me with this gene and manage to convert him into a believer!!

Thanks for a great question!!

Answer 5

I'm usually very skeptical of genetic experiments and theories, but assuming it is true, I'd say it just means that the way our brains are constructed is effected in some way by that gene, and makes people more inclined to believe in something greater than man.

Answer 6

are there specific genes for specific gods, and do polytheistic people have more than one god gene?

if this is true, then Christianity is truly false. Jesus said one must be born again, spiritually born in order to see heaven. What you're telling me is that the most important birth is the first, physical birth. bummer.