Peter and Rosemary Grant were able to observe evolutionary changes over a short period of time, some twenty years, only. If such changes were observed over a relatively short period of time from changes in the environment, for example; the levels of food availability - can we also assume other effects will also cause biological changes? The brain is no different from the beak of a finch in that it is biological, hence also impacted from environmental effects and governed by evolutionary change. If rationale and reason are functions of the brain to conceptualize ideas that aide in the pursuit of guiding ones actions, can we assume an environmental effect might alter ones reasoning abilities over long or even short periods of time? If our ability to reason were continuously forced to accept the improbable and the irrational as fact, could we classify this as an environmental effect that might alter the brains ability to reason? If generation after generation were forced to accept the improbable and irrational as fact, would we simply accept as fact the improbable and irrational in every aspect of our lives, guiding our rationale to accept anything the improbable and irrational might suggest? We then find a line of 'cult evolution' has emerged over the many centuries of religious indoctrination and the acceptance of the improbable and irrational, thinking that has forced evolutionary changes in our brains and has pierced and affected every aspect of mankind's development. Part of that development has lead to racism, bigotry, oppression and ignorance, to name a few, concepts not acceptable to reasoning and rationale, but concepts easily acceptable when cult evolution, fueled by the continued acceptance of the improbable and irrational, dominates the thinking process.
Hypothesis: changes in beak of finches depict evolution Assumption: beak of finches = mind of man Inference: development of beak of finches = development of religion Conclusion: evolution = indoctrination Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Q, Racism, bigotry, oppression, and ignorance have other basic roots far outside of the scope of religion; however, the beak anology does work if we consider that belief allows people to make quick judgments in the absence of incomplete information and gains the resources and support of others whom share the same belief. In other words, the human propensity to believe has changed due to its surivival advantages (just as a Finch beak did the same).
What you would need to do is bar the reproduction of rational people and increase the reproduction of irrational people and this should, over time, change the genetic make up in the general population.
Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten, sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei! :shrug:
The thoughts are free, who can ever guess them? They just fly by like nocturnal shadows. No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them, with powder and lead: The thoughts are free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCFAfFU-Xs4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Gedanken_sind_frei
Applying the "evidence" of 20 years change in finch beaks to development of religion? Well supported by what? The Invisible Pink Unicorn?Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I call this talking out of your arse
Well supported by evolutary psychology for starters. Maybe we are not communicating about the same thing. I never asserted that "The brain is no different from the beak of a finch". What I did say is that beak changes work as an anology to human psychological changes driven by evolution. Oh yeah and peace be upon the IPU, may her hooves never be shod. Amen.
Oy, you're intentionally pretending to mis-understand. I don't know why you have to be intellectually dishonest so much of the time.
You're the one using the analogy. Does beak development classify as behaviour? Does beak development follow the same developmental milestones as theistic behaviour? Is there a biological basis for belief? Could you present some peer reviewed research to support your thesis? May I buy your tiger repellant rock?
My alter thesis: evolution is adaptation to a niche, just as religious behaviour is. hence evolution is a cult. Comments?
how i love thee can i bash anyone here for you? shred intellect into slivers? command and i shall obey, my eastern princess /cultist of all things sam