In response to Tammi Weiss

I was raised Christian, brought to church every Sunday whether I liked it or not. Instead of remembering what I was taught in Sunday School or what what the pastor said, I remember the love I felt and received from all members of the church. I am not sure if I believe in a God but do believe in a higher power or deity. I am not religious but still remember the feeling of church and all the good memories I have there. I feel that church taught me to love everyone for who they are and except this. Church became an extra support system for me as I grew older; I could go there whenever I needed to and could always find someone to comfort me. As I read Tammi's blog I was extremely impressed with the acceptance of others. She was very upfront with her beliefs but also accepted everyone else's beliefs as well. I agree with Tammi that religion is still helpful as long as it is bringing people together and not tearing them apart. Religion can be a great source of love within a community and a common trait within cultures.
Unlike Tammi, I was extremely impressed with the article "Why do we Believe". I thought that the article provided many good points and observations on religion. My personal favorite was the idea that religion was a spendral. Although Tammi and I don't agree on many religious issues, I found it wonderful that she was willing to learn and accept other individuals' beliefs.

The Spandrel of Religion

When discussing religion and it's never ending presence within every culture on the earth, the word spandrel is rarely used. A spandrel, or a trait that does not have any adaptive value, exists throughout many spheres of life from architecture to physical traits. In the article "Why do we Believe", religion is discussed as a spandrel. This way of thinking as never been brought to my attention and I was amazed at how much sense it made. Religion has been present through every culture bringing people together but also tearing them apart. Religion seems to have been adapted to provide group benefits for a culture. Religion also has many negative consequences such as wars and persecution of certain groups. In "Why do we Believe", scientific proof is sought out to discover the answers for this spandrel. It has been discovered that a natural belief in a deity is present in young children but the question of why has yet to be answered.

The second reading, Genesis, offered no answers to this spandrel of religion. The process in which the world and man were created were told in a story like manner but neither answered the pressing question of why religion exists. This furthers my interest of the idea of religion being a spandrel. This "all telling" book discusses in detail how everything was created but doesn't mention the creation of religion or its' importance.

Religion is a universal phenomenon with no explanations to the many unanswered questions in regards to it. In the article "Why do we Believe", scientific reasoning and causal conclusions are meant to answer the questions. In the Bible, the answers are left unknown and no questions are to be asked. Religion may be a huge part of culture but why it is may never be known.

blah blah blah seeing if this thing works