What if Atheist's brains and cognitive abilities are different from those of theists. Like what if we adapted to cope with the "fear of death" and a higher form of skeptical thinking.
Do you think we might be evolving into a higher form of thinking? Or is Atheism a completely environmental thing.
2007-12-29 17:39:52 · 25 answers · asked by Rian B 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I haven't coped with the fear of death! I'm scared to death of death!
2007-12-29 17:43:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
While this is an interesting idea (and definitely something I will turn into a joke to tell at parties) there is no reasonable basis for thinking it holds any truth. I am a member of Mensa and the group I meet with periodically has almost as many believers as Atheists and Agnostics.
Many do, as has been mentioned, associate Atheism with intellect, many others also associate it with hatred, bitterness, pain and an inability to believe in that which we cannot either see or see evidence of. Unfortunately, in many cases this is true. Many people have become Atheists because they have been hurt by the church and they simply choose to no longer believe. I was once a Christian, but I never fully stopped believing. I am now Agnostic because I'm just not sure. There is one question I have about evolution that keeps me from being Atheist, but that question has yet to be satisfactorily answered...
For a Christian to become an Atheist is a fairly common thing. What I find more interesting is the Atheist who becomes a Christian. C.S. Lewis (the author of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and many others) was an Atheist himself. He later became a Christian and wrote many works of Christian literature, like 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. (Yes people, they ARE Christian literature). When asked why he was a Christian, he simply said, "I believe in Christ as I believe in the sun. Not because I see it, but because by it I see all things". It adds an interesting dynamic, in my opinion. The idea that Christ is not merely a Messiah to these people, but actually a light... Something high and unreachable that illuminates the world around them. They call us crazy because we don't believe that, we call them crazy because they do. It is a vicious circle in the end...
We... and by WE, I mean Atheists and Christians alike... Need to stop trying to figure out who is better and just learn to accept one another's beliefs. By all means, debate, talk, argue. Try you best to convince one another, but anger and pride will serve no purpose for either side.
2007-12-30 02:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by Geaux Ghoti 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are scans of brains of people who are overly religious. They don't look normal. And I suspose some atheists are just as wacked out over atheism as some religious people.
There are also studies of atheists who register as abnormal.
There does seem to be a portion of the greymatter that is about "religion" or belief, Something...and in some people it is overactive, in other not active at all. Variation is the force of evolution waiting to happen.
It isn't about "cognitive abilities" though.
The belief system a person holds is 'enviromental' in the sense that it is learned.
2007-12-30 01:50:26 · answer #3 · answered by bahbdorje 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. There is simply no evidence to show this is true.
Atheism is correlated with intelligence, but intelligence itself is very hard to define and both genetic and environmental.
Beware this mode of thinking. It is this mode of thinking that starts things like KKK or Nazism. The idea that a group is genetically different from the rest of the population.
2007-12-30 01:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by locomexican89 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
its an environmental thing; if you are put in an environment in which atheism is a more supreme idea that makes sense to you, then you will probably be atheist. if raised in a religious family or religious school or whatever, you will probably be theist.
i grew up going to religious schools, and was fairly religious until 3 or 4 years ago. now i am at a university which has thrown different things at me, and am now more agnostic. i like having faith in a god, but nothing more.
2007-12-30 01:56:47 · answer #5 · answered by Samiam 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe theism is based on a lack of cognitive reasoning. It's like watching a movie, such as Star Wars. You have to suspend disbelief (there is no gravity or sound in space and nothing can move faster than light) otherwise the story is completely silly.
2007-12-30 01:43:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
Some atheists turn to religion. Some Christians become atheists.
Bang goes your theory.
2007-12-30 08:22:04 · answer #7 · answered by youngmoigle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Atheism is a realization but to still believe because of your faith although you've realized that the idea of almighty and benevolent God is impossible is a decision.
I choose to be an Agnostic because nobody knows for sure.
2007-12-30 01:53:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You caught us. We are built differently. In fact, our blood is purple, and we dont have kidneys. But, dont tell anybody, K. We used to like being treated like people.
For real, i have to say, its a purely environmental thing. Many atheists used to be believers, but gave it a good long thought and slowly became "Atheist"
2007-12-30 01:47:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Read "The God Gene" by Dean Hamer. You might enjoy it. He speculates that there is a genetic influence (stress influence -NOT on/off switch) to spiritual belief.
2007-12-30 01:46:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everything is an environmental thing, to one degree or another.
However, not everyone is capable of the same level of cognition..
2007-12-30 01:45:18 · answer #11 · answered by ? 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋