>>>>Alex;
>>
>>I have been raised as a Roman Catholic and have met people from all walks of life who may or may not believe in organized religion. I have never attempted to “convert” anyone but many have tried to convert me.
>>
>>As for myself I respect the feelings of others especially about how they wish to approach religion. You either believe in a religion or you do not. Those that attempt to impose his/her mind set upon others are treading upon delicate and personal ground. If a person is comfortable within him/herself that is fine with me. When you attempt to criticize others, make up your own terms and definitions to produce your logic you have taken the wrong path. The error of such an approach is evident and can only lead to argument.
>>Many times I have stated, “You cannot argue with emotion”! May I add to that, “You cannot argue with emotion, ignorance, passion or an irrational approach”! By all means feel free to add to my list.
>>
>>Now was anyone on the face of the earth “been nice” before any organized religions existed? I should hope so but have no proof. However, I have many friends who have no religious affiliation and are amongst the finest people you could ever hope to know.
>>
>>Religious beliefs or the lack of such beliefs have little to do with how you treat others, yourself or the world we live in. What is most important is YOU! What kind of a person are you?
>>
>>Tom
>
>Agreed.
>Was there nice people before organized religion existed? Of course!
>To wit, Neanderthals have been known to care for their sick, their old and their children.
>I have no doubt that it happenned before them too.

Alex;

In my studies of anthropology I recall that at one period the average age expectancy was 25 and persons other than the original parents raised children.

Many cultures throughout the world have similar stories about creation, flooding and other events, which are more than similar. It leads one to believe either one series of events occurred and different cultures reported it, or a series of stories were created by different societies to better typify human behavior and attempt to establish “rules for society” and reason for existance. These stories have a common bond due to the “human condition” i.e. “the need to differentiate good from evil”.


Tom