Interesting article... Why are we hard-wired to believe in a supreme being?

Question

http://www.webmd.com/news/20010411/is-god-state-of-mind

The article has an interesting quote:

Though skeptics may argue that God lives only in the mind of the faithful, Newberg suggests that the opposite conclusion is equally valid: "If there is a God, it makes perfect sense that He would create a way for us to communicate with Him."

Comments?

-- Be nice.

Answer 1

We are hard-wired to believe in a supreme being because there is a supreme being, and He doesn't want us to go to hell. He put enough of himself in us to keep us on that quest. Even the unbelievers know that there is something in them that is beyond their understanding. What is life, anyway?

Answer 2

Interesting and exciting article. I'm not surprised about it, though. It makes a lot of sense. Because God created us. Of course non-believers will come up with some far-out rationalization to try to discredit anything that points toward the existance of God. That wouldn't be surprising either.

Answer 3

I didn't read the article, but I've heard the argument that we are "hard wire" to believe in a supreme being many times.

I think what is really going on is that we are hard wired to believe that everything has an ORIGIN, which is vastly different than a "supreme being."

Humans are curious, inventive, social creatures, but we are also competitive and fearful because those are traits nature uses to ensure survival. We traded our instincts for parental instruction tens of thousands of years ago. Young people essentially believe what older people say. If enough people tell you to fear something, it doesn't matter if it actually exists. The communal feeling will be to fear it until someone proves otherwise.

There are still a few things people universally fear, the biggest probably being death. People can manage not knowing "where it all came from", but as long as fear of death remains, gods will persist.

Fear. That is your "hard wiring" in a nutshell.

Answer 4

We were created by God and He left a space within us that He fills perfectly. He won't force Himself into it though, each individual has to ask Him in. Until that space is filled, we are searching for meaning, purpose, happiness, and peace. Only God can fill that space and bring all that we are seeking. He stands at the door and knocks-will you open the door or ignore Him/

Answer 5

The research that showed there is a wiring towards belief also showed it had a genetic component which was not found in all research subjects.

So if it makes perfect sense that God would create a way for us to communicate with him... .... why would he deny some people that way?

Answer 6

We are wired to see patterns, even where their aren't any. That is what leads to us thinking that there is some pattern that suggests a god, ghost, or any other crazy thing.

The reason is simple. You see the outline of a big cat under that tree over there and you avoid it. You live rather it was real or not. You miss seeing the cat under the tree, you die. So evolution has made us so that we see patterns everywhere.

You see a god for the same reason you see shapes in the stars or clouds.

Answer 7

I saw this study and of coarse wrote it in one of my answers and got thumbs down.
It's kind of like how secluded tribes in the Amazon were found and they had made their own religion. W/out being in touch w/ the rest of the world influences.
GOD BLESS

Answer 8

Remember he made us in his image and gave us his attributes, after he made everything he always said and it was good! A way for us to communicate with him is prayer and walking in the light.

Answer 9

Fascinating. It looks very intriguing. It's nice to know science says God will probably make me live longer. ;)

Answer 10

Years ago it was quoted that religion was a remedy to cure the masses. I do believe religion is a personal thing.