Re: religion/spirituality

From: Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Date: Tue Nov 21 2000 - 19:30:35 GMT

  • Next message: Gatherer, D. (Derek): "RE: religion/spirituality"

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    From: "Tim Rhodes" <proftim@speakeasy.org>
    To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
    Subject: Re: religion/spirituality
    Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 11:30:35 -0800
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    Derek:
    In the standard memetical 'mind virus' view of religion, all religions
    proselitize (or rather should because after all, they're supposed to be
    viruses). If you are correct (you probably are on this one), then you
    have identified a strong falsification of the 'mind virus' theory. How
    can a virus (mind or otherwise) not attempt to spread itself? Does this
    suggest that Judaism is not a mind virus, but Christianity is? I think
    not, rather it suggests that the 'mind virus' view is fundamentally
    mistaken.

    Tim:
    Be careful, Derek. Isn't this like arguing that, "shouldn't AIDS have
    evolved to become airborne if it really was a true 'virus'?" Seems like
    you're overlooking the "evolution" part of memetics.

    Christianity is just a sub-species of Judaism, one that proved to be
    more fit for its environment and thrived as a result. It's Judaism,
    version 2.0 for Windows. Where's the conflict?

    -Tim

    ===================
    Tim Rhodes
    memes@sil2k.org
    Eyes, Ears & Memes, SIL2K
    Strategic Improv Laboratories 2000
    www.sil2k.org
    ===================

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