Have you read about this "God" gene yet?

Interesting?

No.

You're a sinner Josh.

Repent or you're going to H-E-double hockey sticks.

I read an article in Time, it was actually on the cover.

I do think there is something to it. I mean, perhaps we can't go as far as saying that actual genes are responsible for our religious beliefs. Even if your parents weren't very religious, it doesn't matter, because most of you genetic makeup resembles more your grandparents than it does your parents.

In any case, I too was raised by relativelt liberal people and I therefore was free to start with a relatively clean slate, which is why I've chosen somethin for myself that isn't in my family or practiced by anyone I know...That would probably be because it isn't a religion....anyway

it makes sense to me. there are specific parts of the brain that are activated when people are in a spiritual state. the genetic component seems obvious from that point of view. and it can work for both sides -- it doesn't necessarily discount religion. well, maybe "religion" but not "god". in my opinion, religion is an institution with specific goals and aims to control the people so that we may live together in an unnatural homeostasis. humans are by nature barbaric and territorial. religion lays a framework (or rules) by which we all live so that we can survive, essentially. we must live in groups to survive -- at least until recent history. i honestly think it has little to do with "god". (the first 99.9% of human history worshipped the earth and nature -- institutional religions are extremely unnatural and relatively new.) in support of "god", this might suggest that s/he/it has given us the tools by which to find him/her/it. (the "it" is more a state of being and agreeable to buddhism, taoism, etc). it's there b/c we ARE a part of it. it's obvious and inevitable. however, against the existence of "god" it might suggest that this religious component to our upbringing over the last 100,000 years has left its mark. humanity would not exist (in its current state) without the influence of religion and worship. much like how we now walk upright instead of swinging through the trees. it's also obvious and inevitable. the sad truth is that, although it's extremely interesting, it really tells us very little, in my opinion. file it with all the other great mysteries of our existence and incredible wonder of our minds. the human condition has no answers, only more questions.

I don't think the evidence supports this. Religion is a form of government - control of people through fear of the unknown and unknowable.

Can you imagine a child of christian parents growing up in the bible belt of the USA suddenly becoming a muslim or a child of muslim parents in Saudi Arabia growing up to be christian.

Your religion is usually an accident of birth and has more to do with indoctrination and conditioning than anything genetic.

Education and a healthy dose of scepticism is the answer.

The Bible says that God "dealt to every man the measure of faith" so your dog won't hunt.

Everyone has faith whether he uses it or not.

It also says that God is no respecter of persons.

God's word the Bible is in direct opposition to that nonsense you posted.

Kind of. I'm not that religious, my parents aren't that religious too. However, is probably not genetics but upbringing which sets our religious beliefs.

That's a pack of lies, heathen!

load of crap thats all i can say

I can't believe you'd go to the Arab financed wickedpedia to prove something about God. Boy you're one sick puppy.