Is Faith or Atheism Written in Our Genes? A Fresh Perspective
It's all a matter of perspective. Just as there may be a genetic trait for believers, there's one for non-believers too. So, could this mean atheism is a 'genetic flaw'?
- יהוסף יעבץ
- פורסם ז' שבט התשפ"ד
(Photo: shutterstock) #VALUE!
Rationally speaking, being an atheist isn't easy. There are countless unresolved questions, making distractions like culture and business tempting alternatives.
With the advanced technology developed by scientists, it can feel as if human intelligence is pushing the world forward, suggesting it might provide answers to life's big questions.
Every now and then, a piece of technology is depicted as a challenge to faith. One such instance is linking belief to a "genetic flaw."
Suppose a study claims there's a genetic trait for believers, implying faith is a "genetic flaw."
It's all about how you frame it. Just as there's a genetic trait for people who believe, there's a trait for those who don't. So, does this mean atheism is a "genetic flaw" too?
The idea that genetic frequency dictates faith isn't truly research-based; it's more of a wishful illusion of technological mapping.
Another researcher, Michael Persinger, sought his share of fame with a similarly odd invention. He created the "God Helmet." Persinger equipped a motorcycle helmet with electrodes that generated weak magnetic fields around the brain's lobes. People who wore this helmet reported feeling strengthened belief and other spiritual sensations.
From this, he "proved" that belief stems from some chemical-biological process.
But that's a fundamental error. Creating an imaginary sensation doesn't explain genuine feelings stemming from normative reasons. You can create the sensation of hunger using electrodes, but does that mean human hunger comes from an imaginary helmet?
Do believers rely on feelings of elevation? That's an assumption by those who underestimate their intelligence. Likewise, a believer might dismiss atheism as originating from a desire for independence, linked to some brain region.
The truth is, the helmet research was flawed and didn't produce the claimed effects. Believers felt calm, and non-believers didn't experience anything related to faith. It's another stunt of using technology to bolster belief.
