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This is a link post Guardian Article: Why I no longer believe that religion is a virus of the mind
By Sue Blackmore (who is an awesome researcher).

Posted partly as a response to the Dawkins link, I'm so bored of the whole 'no evidence for god' atheist political sctick, this article exploring possible origins of religion is a breath of fresh air.

The research article is linked in paper, it isn't too long so I recommend having a read, it's interesting stuff if your interested in that sort of thing.
 (I helped save b3ta! Hellzapoppin, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 12:52, Reply)
This is a normal post somebody needs to teach her
what an analogy is.
 (I helped save b3ta! Damocles wants no part of your debauchery, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:07, Reply)
This is a normal post an analogy is
like a metaphor
 (I helped save b3ta! Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:10, Reply)
This is a normal post It's harder than you think
to go from writing academic papers to articles that have to use the language comprehension level of a 12 year old
 (I helped save b3ta! Hellzapoppin, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:15, Reply)
This is a normal post I wasn't saying that she was using the term analogy
badly. She didn't use it at all, I don't think. She just failed to realize that "religion is a virus of the mind" is an analogy, not a fact, or even a metaphor. Her comparing the behaviours of actual viruses to the way religion works is why she needs to learn what an analogy is.
 (I helped save b3ta! Damocles wants no part of your debauchery, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:23, Reply)
This is a normal post Oh ok,
yes, it does seem silly to take it literal.
 (I helped save b3ta! Hellzapoppin, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:29, Reply)
This is a normal post An anal-ogy is like a chinese burn...only more painful/embarrasing.
(I'm not a doctor)
 (Horrified Onlooker, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:49, Reply)
This is a normal post I agree
it seems fairly obvious that religious memes share certain characteristics with viruses, but are not actually viruses, but this is lost on her.
 (I helped save b3ta! cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 15:41, Reply)
This is a normal post But over simplification of the theory of mind virus shizzle
what do you think of Blumes idea?
 (I helped save b3ta! Hellzapoppin, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 17:34, Reply)
This is a normal post All religious are loonies.

(I helped save b3ta! Flash_Bastard, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 13:55, Reply)
This is a normal post FACT.

(mrmonkfish yolo420weedwizard, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 16:00, Reply)
This is a normal post Well that article was a load of shite.
I'd like my three minutes back.
 (Captain_lambkin adifferent.me, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 14:02, Reply)
This is a normal post this is why i prefer philosophy over religion
im also in the 'religion as a by-product of evolution' camp. each day that goes by i find myself seeing things more and more objectively, and analysing my own analyses all the time.

thats what happens when you're unemployed for the better part of a year i find
 (chocolatelemming, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 14:14, Reply)
This is a normal post of course, everything that humans are is a byproduct of our evolution
but religions like all adaptations and mutations, must compete for usefulness. It may be in today's environment it is less useful for success, and will become reduced. Of course, there is no single gene for religion, rather a combination encompassing things such as propensity to believe or to interpret natural phenomena as supernatural, for example
 (I helped save b3ta! cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 15:47, Reply)
This is a normal post yup i would agree with that
evolutionary behaviour is a very interesting subject. so much of our behaviour is pretty much useless this day and age. it becomes easier to transcend once you understand where these come from.

also fascinating is the history of 'God' or monotheistic religions. they do seem to have evolutionary traits.
 (chocolatelemming, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 15:59, Reply)
This is a normal post im so bored by the fact
that this whole thing is still deemed a debateable subject...lets move on people.
 (DefyingDarwin Old, untalented and white,, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 18:19, Reply)
This is a normal post Move on from what?
Learning about our origins and why we are the way we are?

Far too interesting for me to ignore.
 (I helped save b3ta! Hellzapoppin, Sun 19 Sep 2010, 19:05, Reply)