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Old 08-24-2010, 09:15 AM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
He has a whole chapter on religion as child abuse, criticizing his brother and Dawkins. You would think he would address precisely this issue in the chapter, explaining why religion as the reinforcement of authority in childhood does not undermine free choices in adulthood. He is completely silent on the issue.
I've heard that argument before. I do think "child abuse" is a little strong for what amounts to a (mostly) harmless fantasy. I do have a problem understanding why some (the majority) of people retain this belief system into adulthood. I have heard arguments that there was an evolutionally advantage to being subservient to childhood authority figures, so people simple invent there own in adulthood. That seems a little simplistic to me, there also seems to be a strong societal/cultural aspect; the need to belong to a group with something in common (i.e., a Granfalloon).
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