tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742879119843856939.post1846915526960758623..comments2024-03-12T18:35:38.601-05:00Comments on Not Dark Yet: Speaking Honestly, Living HonestlyCharles Kinnairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651225996573989932noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742879119843856939.post-60390244874351704442010-01-12T10:37:09.691-06:002010-01-12T10:37:09.691-06:00I think Malcolm's comments about cognitive dis...I think Malcolm's comments about cognitive dissonance are right on. Wright's book on "The Evolution of God" points out very clearly that our theology is driven by culture and politics. I happen to believe that we homo sapiens do not use our large brain to stand back often enough and take a look at where we stand on the evolutionary scale. Our actions are driven far too often by our limbic system of the brain, the so-called "lizard brain," the seat of emotions. The cortex may be doing rational analysis of a situation, but our actions may follow from impulses arising in the limbic system. We are creatures of our evolutionary past, and too often we try and convince ourselves that we have risen far above our animal heritage. For proof, just look at our ridiculous courtship and mating rituals for the sake of propagating the species!<br /><br />Karen Armstrong points out in her new book, "The Case for God," and also her wonderful earlier book, "The Spiral Staircase," that the one common requirement for a religion is that it be based on compassion. You can make up all the other details. A religion not based on compassion is bound to fail. But, as your discussion points out, even a religion based on compassion has adherents and believers who act out of tribal behavior to do terrible things to other humans. I do believe Malcolm is correct. This is all too often born out of fear, out of tribalism and fear of those outside the tribe, and out sometimes out of greed.<br /><br />Perhaps we need to humble ourselves a bit and accept the fact that we are still in process, as Jack Spong would say. We're not there yet in our development, our evolution. Will our technology allow us to destroy our species before we are able to evolve further? I'm not so sure.Erniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06346965466942320499noreply@blogger.com