Replies

I think that many purely secular liberals who pride themselves as being above the "superstitious" religious types would be far happier with the concept of all man being equal, endowed by THEIR CREATOR with certain inalienable rights, than the ultimate possible conclusions of the purely scientific, genetic approach.

So would many literalist Christians and other theists, whose world view rests heavily on the assumption that behavioral patterns which are viewed as criminal and/or immoral are of entirely spiritual origin, and can be completely remedied by believing the right things.

Both atheistic or agnostic liberals who refuse to admit that anyone is inherently better than anyone else, and religious people who refuse to admit that not all problems can be solved via religious belief and/or practice, are very stuck on the notion that social ills can only be remedied by widespread adoption of THEIR particular set of rules and beliefs. Behavioral/cognitive genetics flies in the face of this concept, hence both groups fight it energetically.

Understood!

I do appreciate the need for, and the role of, science. I think too many see religion as nothing but a negative influence on society.

Dr. King fought injustice with the moral authority of his religious faith too.

But your point is well taken. Thanks for intelligent post.

So would many literalist Christians and other theists, whose world view rests heavily on the assumption that behavioral patterns which are viewed as criminal and/or immoral are of entirely spiritual origin, and can be completely remedied by believing the right things.

Completely remedied no, completely forgiven yes. There is no cure for sin (yet), it is a terminal condition we struggle with tell the day we die. Belief in Jesus Christ does not protect us from the earthly consequences of our sins, only from God’s righteous judgment and there is no curve, this is pass or fail. You will either be judged for your own actions or for Christ’s. With love I recommend option B.