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Check these links out

The New York Times

Time Magazine

Both of these articles talk about the possibility of the existence of a gene or genes that influence our spiritual beliefs. They go on further to say that our genes are not the be all end all for our religious beliefs, but they certainly play a large role in what religion we choose to take part of. Now, I have two questions for you:
1. What do you think of this?
2. How does this fit in with how we view religion today?

It's not that unreasonable to believe that spirituality is genetic in some way. I happen to know that my great grandmother was a Strega (a traditional Italian witch/wise woman), and my biological mother is quite Pagan. The rest of my family, including my real parents, are Christians of some level (everything from agnostic Christian to Methodist to Roman Catholic). I seem to be one of the odd ones in the group...and frankly, it suits me fine.

This also connects to my theory about faith being a biological power that we all have. The faith we use, our focus on how we change our world, is based off of the way it has worked best for our biological line.

But to imagine...survival of the fittest in the Gods? There's a perception shatterer for you...

Personally, I think its a crock of bull.

Religion has to do with how you were raised as a child, previous experiences with religion, and whether or not you're fullfilled by those religions. Some kids have bad experiences with religions when they're younger and therefor reject them, while others have pleasent experiences and embrace them. If a child's mother is religious (not forcefully so), chances are, the child will end up the same religion later on in their adult life, simply because of early influence. If a child has parents of a mixed religion, most likely he will begin asking why mommy doesn't believe what daddy believes, and thus become shakey on religions. Likewise, if a child has religion forced upon them to the point where it is overwhelming, they will most likely rebel and choose a different religion to follow due to the bad experience with that particular religion.

I don't think it has anything to do with these supposed "genes". Children turn out the way you raise them. If you disipline (and not to the point where its down right ridiculous and overwhelming) them and teach them to be respectful and gentle, they will grow up to be that way. If you have no discipline and don't care what they do, they'll grow up to like whoever they choose as their role model, be it good or bad. Same thing with religion.

Its like the 67% of all cancer patients wore seat belts. Did the seat belts cause the cancer? Well, I should hope not. Same thing with this gene they are finding.

Just my two cents.