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Permalink Reply by michael palmer on January 22, 2012 at 10:03pm

the soul or essence the idea of it came first same with seasonal celebration of the pagans an the philosophys high jacked an perverted an held for ransom by religion so denouncing the soul is not denouncing  religion the way you denounce religion by denouncing religion

cuase im a humanist /atheist/agnositc and i believe in the soul

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Permalink Reply by Ed on January 22, 2012 at 11:28pm

Yours is a general explanation of religion. The idea of a soul is not a necessary component in many religious belief systems. Granted the soul is an element portrayed in the current big three religions which arose after literacy and language was developed. Religion engrosses much more psychologically than just a soul.

I am nearing the end of anthropologist Pascal Boyer's Religion Explained- the evolutionary origins of religious thought. It is a profound read and has opened my eyes to a better understanding of religion's development from the perspective of evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology.  

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Permalink Reply by dragotron on January 22, 2012 at 11:40pm

Interesting. I'll look into picking it up...

I'm aware that many religions do not include the concept of a soul. The word religion itself in fact leans more towards a way of life than it does towards the idea of a god even. The religions that do not include the idea of a soul actually aren't my problem. I might not even take issue with some of those religions.

The religions i'm concerned with in fact ARE the ones with the level of irrationality that include the soul. They also happen to be the 4 largest religions on Earth which encompass more than half the people.

Humans fear what they don't understand and what do they understand least of all.. even today. Death. I could imagine our ancestors coming up with these stories... of the soul. This coping mechanism to comfort themselves and loved ones in times of loss. I watched this movie last year and thought... HA.. guess i'm not the only one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7TKxV5wwLA

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Permalink Reply by Ed on January 24, 2012 at 12:43am

The Boyer book is excellent and might very well change your viewpoints on religion and it's origins. It has helped me immensely.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Eckert on January 23, 2012 at 4:57am

This is one of those questions that sounds like it best belongs in a barroom. Something of a 'chicken and egg' question, which really doesn't matter too much since religion, souls, and any other supernatural stuff are all equally bullshit.

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