Re: Physicist Robert Bacher Dies at 99!

From: Peter Fairbrother (zenadsl6186_at_zen.co.uk)
Date: 11/25/04 

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 03:29:34 +0000

Peter Fairbrother wrote:
 
> But let's imagine someone who wanted to impose shariya law in the US, and
> had some chance of success .. err ... no, I can't
>
> In other countries? Perhaps, but would that be any of the US's business?
> treat it like communism, but without the fighting, and it will go away like
> communism did.
>
> And it will go away a damn sight quicker if there is no fighting. Fighting
> only encourages it - didn't, you know, that's how religion works? That's why
> we have religion, in an evolutionary sense?

That may have gone by y'all too fast.

We have religion so we fight and work together. If we fight as a group we
are more likely to win. Working together is more productive overall, and has
the same evolutionary benefits as fighting together - you are more likely to
survive the hard times.

There are other benefits, mostly that the wisdom and "prescribed behaviour"
in religions is useful for survival.

There may also be evolutionary benefits just simply in the spiritual side of
religion too - for a start, not worrying about "that good night" might have
health benefits - and "wise old men" might become dirty old men, and
reproduce at an older age than might be expected otherwise. They might not
be true believers, but the mothers would be, and over time the people would
become believers.

Yep, religion can be useful. We wouldn't have it otherwise. 

-- 
Peter Fairbrother

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