In terms of inner reality, science basically sucks anyway so why wouldn't we rely on what we understand. And what is the difference between "hard-wired in the brain" and "natural" anyway?
It is no coincidence, some social scientists believe, that youngsters begin learning about faith around the time they begin to give up on wishing. “The point at which the culture withdraws support for belief in Santa and the Tooth Fairy is about the same time it introduces children to prayer,” said Jacqueline Woolley, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas. “The mechanism is already there, kids have already spent time believing that wishing can make things come true, and they’re just losing faith in the efficacy of that.”Big deal. I am riddled with a mixture of small scale nationalist, pagan and Christian principles that at the end of the day drive an alarmingly large percentage of decision. And having met two or three people that basically worship Coke I have no problem with my own inner conversation. At least it's entertaining.
Comments
Paul of Kingston - January 23, 2007 9:53 AM
That's a fascinating piece but I think that Carey is being conveniently blind when he states that magical thinking is not the same as religious faith. I agree that, as he states, they are differentiated by their relative complexities, but that doesn't seem to me to be a fundamental difference in nature - just size and degree of organization and associated dogma.
It also fascinates me that he seems to elude to the Santa Claus and tooth fairy myths as neural precursors to more complex faiths.
gorthos - January 23, 2007 9:56 AM
I woudl say with all honesty that being brought up with no religion YET also being brought up with the standard easter bunny, tooth fairy and santa clause mythology, it was naught but dissapointing when one discovered the truth... didn't lead me to prayer though..
I don't worship coke but I can say that every action, every career move, every choice in my life is pretty much made to result in more leisure time and if possible, nookie. So I guess in truth, I worship slack.
All hail Bob
cm - January 23, 2007 10:25 AM
The truth? Are you saying the Easter Bunny doesn't exist? Say it ain't so...