[GSlob]

"even if they were virulently atheist they would never grok a great deal of history"
Well, I happen to be as atheistic as they come, but I am afraid I am missing on "groking". Please enlighten me on the meaning of the word in question.

[ApplegateRanch]

but I am afraid I am missing on "groking". Please enlighten me on the meaning of the word in question.

Understanding or studying something so thoroughly that it internalizes, and becomes part of you, and you a part of it, while each still retains its own identity.

That is a quick, short answer.. It is a basic "Martian philosophical concept" that comes from Robert Heinlein's novel, Stranger In A Strange Land.

[Robert A Cook PE]

"Grok" ---

A made up word invented by Heinlen (sp ?) in Stranger in a Strange land. Means, best translated, as "fully understanding to an intuitive, gut level."

[Marine_Uncle]

"... but I am afraid I am missing on "groking". Please enlighten me on the meaning of the word in question."
I don't mean to put you off, but in order to understand the real meaning of grok, you would have to be a Martian. Robert Heinlein a writer of Science Fiction, invented a character who came to earth and interacted with earthlings. A concept he intruduced to to the earthlinks was something called grok. To grok means to understand, comprehend something, but as I remember, it means something more, that depending on ones level of intellect or lack thereof, may take on different conotations. The work was called Stranger in a Strange Land.
Wikepeidas description of the key charecter is: It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised by Martians on Mars, as he returns to Earth in early adulthood; the novel explores his interaction with -- and eventual transformation of -- Earth culture.