A physicists on Y/As said that there are "several genes that have been identified as affecting the...?

Question

propensity to belief"

Anyone know any more about this news (news to me that is)?
Of course I can't tell if the physicist is an atheist or a theist .

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlACnLPkwbyRdYle5Ozmadrsy6IX?qid=20070814115332AAHX0N1

I'm sorry David and all; I should also have included this link. It explains the quehttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AufPsVRtEGrwas8czNf2LAvsy6IX?qid=20070814114453AASW4gt&show=7#profile-info-Iy7ltlEnaastion totally.

Answer 1

http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101041025/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/14/ngod14.xml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A46793-2004Nov12?language=printer

I won't comment on it one way or the other. But I have read the stories.

Answer 2

I don't know about several, but one gene has been linked.

Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 is a protein that transports neurotransmitters from from cellular cytosol into synapses, thus potentiating the firing of certain neurons.

The gene that encodes for VMAT-2 is not present in all humans. Those who have it seem to be more susceptible to religious, mystical, or spiritual experiences. There is little research in this area, and nothing definite. Nonetheless the results are interesting and compelling.

Answer 3

A physicist wouldn't concern themselves with genes, they are more interested in atoms and elemental forces. You need to consult a biological genetics expert to get your answer. But in answer to your question, most of the human race has the ability to believe in things that are not true if they are told the same thing over and over again even in the light of conflicting facts. How do you think Bush got elected.

Answer 4

Oh dear - it matters whether the scientist is a theist or atheist? That means you are only prepared to believe one side no matter how good the science!!!

If the same scientist could offer pain free survival to old age and a great afterlife but was an atheist - would you accept or not?

Answer 5

the place u from? final I checked human beings do have a call in the event that they could choose to pass to church or no longer. Now young ones at the instant are not human beings until 18, it rather is in line with the regulation. So in the adventure that your mothers and dads are making you pass to church then guess what your going. as quickly as your an person you'll be able to make your very own judgements.

Answer 6

I hope this helps:

"The contributions of genes and environment to religiosity have been quantified in twin studies (Bouchard et al', 1999; Kirk et al', 1999). Koenig et al (2005) report that the contribution of genes to variation in religiosity (called heritability) increases from 12% to 44%, and the contribution of shared (family) effects decreases from 56% to 18% between adolescence as compared to adulthood."

Answer 7

How in the world would a physicist be qualified to talk about molecular genetics?

Actually, Sam Harris (believe it or not) is doing much of his Doctoral work in Neurology on this.

Answer 8

This was a big rage - a year ago? Or two? Made the cover of Newsweek. Try researching "The God Gene". Or let me!

Here is a nice little summary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_gene that should take about 3 minutes to read.

Answer 9

The ignorance of history gene.

Answer 10

Why wouldn't God put a natural inclination to believe within us?

God does say that we have no excuse not to believe. God put quite a bit into us that attaches us to Him.