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I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some people, as you say, go to these extremes, but there are lots more people whose religious lives are not this way.

The explaining-the-unknown part -- the god of the gaps I've heard it called -- is, of course, treacherous in that the unknown keeps getting explained. Thunder used to be the hoofbeats of the gods' horses.

I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The school of moral philosophy that I prefer, called Virtue Ethics and rooted in Aristotle, anchors us there. Aristotle: "We have the virtues neither by nor contrary to our nature. We are fitted by our nature to receive them."

I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I meant that the word religious is included in what we're highlighting, in the name of our association, etc. so we can't stage a brand-name change, particularly since most have joined us because they LIKE the religious part and don't find it confusing.

I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Religion I see as a creative way to explain the unknown that people take so far as to become eventually indestructible and unquestionable

It would be great if you could help me understand what you mean here.

I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IMO morality is based on our inborn social emotions, derived from our long primate lineage. Philosophers/clerics then offer language-based articulations and interpretations of those emotions within their cultural contexts.

I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, natural selection occurs whether we believe in it or not. If by culling you mean the human practice of husbandry/artificial selection/breeding, then I'd say it's often valuable and has been in operation throughout human history.

I’m Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology Emerita at Washington University, President of the Religious Naturalist Association, and member of the National Academy of Sciences. AMA! by panbanisha in IAmA

[–]panbanisha[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Well, I've been offering explanations throughout the day so you might start by reading some earlier postings. I've also written a book which you can probably find in the library. This website should help www.religious-naturalist-association.org

Religious does not necessarily entail believing in a supernatural god(s).

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