The metaphorical representation of the human psyche is where I seem to have people not understanding—this is my fault for not explaining very well. I could 100 books on the psychological and neurophysiological adaptions of the psyche that resulted in religion—-but for now I will give just 1 example.

Let’s just start with an example—humans evolved from Lobsters about 350 million years ago, but our basic neurophysiological reward system is virtually identical. When lobsters engage in combat there is serotonin that is released and when they win dopamine is released. So long as the Lobster is engaging in competition, even if the lobster is losing the majority of the time, they will be okay. If the Lobster looses a lot of fights (more than 70 percent) and begins to compete less often as a result—-they will become depressed and physically slouch. BUT, since it is a similar centeal nervous system to humans, we can actually give lobsters anti deperessants (serotonin) and the lobsters will stop slouching and begin to compete again (happy win or lose).

When we begin to think, why are their so many religions and why do so many people follow them—it can be easy to say it’s because religon is evil and people are stupid. Indeed, literally anything and everything will be used by manipulative people to get what they want. Nonetheless, let’s look at the actual evolutionary purposes for its existence instead of focusing on the inevitable death and manipulation of humans and picking the scapegoat. And when we do this, we find that the concept of Heaven and the afterlife is not so much purposeful for escaping the fear of death (although it is used his way) but more often than not it is a safety blanket of serotonin in the abstract sense of hope. Hell works the same way in regards to those caught up by those who have wronged them. Anyone with the intellectual honesty to think they could actually go to hell is smart enough to not have to use religion as a crutch. Those who are especially nuerotic need this false sense of justice—-and in a metaphorical sense it is almost true since those who wrong others and lack empathy are often in a “hellish” state while alive. Nonetheless, heaven is the more important of the two as it provides a life long “competition” for which to attempt to get into. Even if you’re doing all the wrong things in your religion, the striving or effort is lifelong serotonin.

For those who still hate religion, this information is even more important because it shows you how you can end religion by replacing its psychological dependencies with other mediums. Karma, for example, is a concept that can and most likely will replace the idea of hell to satisfy the psychological need for vengeance and justice. Talking to a religious person about Karma or introducing them to other things that satisfy their basic psychological needs is a very easy way to get people out of religion.

When we rely upon faith to define ourselves we are in truth relying upon a comfortable lie or fantasy because deep down we know there is no real evidence to back up the belief we are trying to define ourselves by. You can define yourself according to the evidence you have or the blind faith you find comfort in but not both, how others choose to define you is their problem.

Well let me answer your question with a question..Do you feel the need to label yourself as anything?

Care to run that by me again in simpler language?

I don't.

You believe or you don't. No need to complicate it.