psychotropic evolution

By Meredith F. Small LiveScience's Human Nature Columnist
posted: 23 May 2008 ET

“ Evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson of Binghamton University and others have also pointed out that religion can also be adaptive. If cooperation and group identity helps individuals stay alive and pass on genes, then religion is evolutionarily important, even if we made it up.
The recent research, published in the online FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) on May 2, suggests that religion, or at least many religious rituals, might also have another evolutionary, or biological function. Along with the group support, the embracing identity and the place to pray when times are bad, some religions are also doling out a bit of a psychotropic drug that helps the mind find peace.

Under the influence of a good snoot full of incense, mice in scary situations, such as being put in a swimming pool, remain calm, anxiety-free. At the alter, too, people feel the same sense of peace that comes from either the comforting words of the clergy, or from the intoxicating, brain altering, smell of incense.

In an age of endless anxiety, no wonder religion works; it is both cultural and biological.
Karl Marx claimed that organized religion was the "opiate of the people," meaning it dulls us into complacency, but that might not be such a bad thing. ”

“… even if we made it up …” Indeed !
No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. Job 12:2

But ask now the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you: or speak to the earth, and it will teach you: and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

Lots of religionS have been made up. Lots of religion IS naught but an opiate or in some cases an extreme stimulant BUT it is NOT a vehicle of evolution. Passing on genes is NOT THE end. Knowing God and making Him known is the end.