There's nothing clear about it either way.
It's a hugley contentious thing to research. But there's pretty decent evidence and theories that it is innate and instictual and that it gave a competitive advantage and was thus evolved. religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/religious-belief-is-human-nature-huge-new-study-claims/
www.amazon.com/Faith-Instinct-Religion-Evolved-Endures/dp/B003B3NVZY
(PsychoChomp, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 11:57, 1 reply, 13 years ago)

Problem is everyone has been tainted with religious belief i their lifetime, you'd need a control
the island of non-religion mentioned earlier, to truly investigate this argument.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 12:03, Reply)

But the people on the Island would have to never speak to another human?

(PsychoChomp, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 12:06, Reply)

exactly, they are separated away from the rest of humanity and it's religious pressures and history
this would probably have to be more of a thought experiment than one that could be implemented
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 12:10, Reply)

You're proposing an untestable theory?
How VERY SCIENTIFIC
(PsychoChomp, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 12:15, Reply)

well it could be done, but it'd be a pain
in the same way it was a pain to build the LHC.

I don't have the funds at the moment to run this I'm afraid.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 12:18, Reply)

Just kidnap a load of kids from the local primary school.

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Thu 28 Feb 2013, 12:21, Reply)