Christianity

Today I watched videos on the psychology of religion by Steven Pinker, which explained why the pull towards religion is so strong.  Part 1 and Part 2.  I see now how religion can be beneficial in many ways, regardless of whether or not the creed is fundamentally true.  Just the act of believing is what matters most.  It bonds the group together and gives a sense of belonging along with various other group benefits.

I’m realizing there is perhaps a distinction between believing in Christ - that deep, intimate faith - and a belief in what religious adherence can do to a society and to the individuals within a Christian group, the effects of which are undeniably positive.

Despite what skeptics may say about religions being the cause of all wars, I would hate to see a world without morality.  If Christianity has historically provided us (in the West) with this morality, then why mess with a good thing?

So while I am a skeptic, I can go to Church without practicing or believing, just by being in attendance.  But I can't be a hypocrite and pretend I'm a believer when I'm not. This raises an ethical problem, namely how to belong to the church group without "leading people on" to believe I am a practicing Christian.

Church attendance will benefit my family more than anything.  I don't think there's anything wrong with researching, studying, and documenting my observations on the side. 

Some of the books I would like to read, mentioned in the Steven Pinker clips:
- In Gods We Trust by Scott Adams
- The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
- papers on fictive kinship by Alan Fisk (sp?)