>1) Belief in God must not be very adaptationally problematic either to
>the individual hosting the belief or a society comprised of said individuals.
I have never suggested otherwise.
>2) There are a number of examples of cultures which thrive and progress
>hosting mythological/religious/mystical belief systems.
I have never suggested otherwise.
>3) Isn't [it] necessary for you to prove that such a coorelation between beliefs
>held despite evidence and "bad beliefs" exist? Otherwise it is an assumption
>that you hold without recourse to evidence...a "faith-based" beilef. I would
Yes, that is why I'm asking for help.
>hope that in doing so you will not make reference to straw-man arguments
>like "If I believe fire won't burn me, I will get hurt" or the more tabloidesque
>expolits of snake handlers and Christian Scientists and concentrate on the
>more common and universal aspects of faith, which you claim you are
>addressing.
I might ask the same of you (no more straw-men please).
The question is not whether it is possible to survive with false beliefs.
Obviously it is. The question is whether it is possible to do better
with true beliefs. Maybe there would be less violence in the world
for instance (I'm assuming that would be a good thing).
-- David McFadzean david@lucifer.com Memetic Engineer http://www.lucifer.com/~david/ Church of Virus http://www.lucifer.com/virus/