I hope the OP is being sarcastic,I wouldnt personally be a very religious person but faith and religion are very important and dear to billions of people. thats not something to be cured

I seriously doubt a gene even exists. religion is nurture not nature.

I think you might have missed the memo on this one...
The God gene doesn't exist.
A few years ago some "scientists" thought it did.
And while we are able to watch brains "light up" in certain areas when we think about god or faith, it is not caused by a gene.
As the person above me stated, it's nurture not nature.
(It could be nature to wonder, and to imagine, but do you really think, left to your own devices, the religious programming would come out the same?)
Now, having said all that, Beyond Belief is a brilliant program. I watch it every year and I've learned a lot from it and it has expanded my research into the domain of morality, existentialism, faith, science and particularly, the idea of authenticity.

I think that you and I just became friends, so I'll tell you now, I believe in God, I just don't pretend to know anything about the idea.

If you would like to read something that you'd enjoy please visit anti-socialengineering.com which is my blog about these very subjects.

s and f
edited to add
ps I agree 100% that religion must end.

[edit on 17-9-2009 by briantaylor]

Where, at any point during the video you posted, did the speaker call for a medical "cure" for religious belief?

What does the video do to justify your claim?

That the man is a scientist that opposes religion?

Big deal - I don't see him advocating anything of the sort, he's advocating the view that scientists should argue against religion.

I don't even particularly agree with that, but it's a far cry from calling for tampering with people's genes

Or maybe, they could use this gene-tech to make everyone believe the same religion!

In your mind, OP, how exactly would they administer this "cure"? Pass out leaflets to every person in the world saying, "Dear religious adherent! Please come to 123 Main Street and have your God gene removed! You not following your belief system, because some think it's bad, will make the world a better place,"?

For some reason, I think that, even if this "cure" were to come to pass, just as very few of you that are against religion would get in line to become theists, not very many people in the world would sign up to have their brain diddled with in such a way that they wouldn't believe in a God or their particular belief system anymore.

[edit on 9/17/2009 by octotom]

I do not agree with people claiming it is not possible and there is no 'religious gene'. I have seen interesting studies showing that brain abnormality causes religious fervor. For example non religious becoming religious fanatics shortly after a brain trauma to a specific key region of the brain. This damage somewhat proving a part of the brain is responsible. Any part of the human body that is abnormal IS that way due to that individuals genetic code (ignoring physical accidents). And through gene therapy it can be corrected. I am not saying they will find one silver bullet but it could be close to such a scenario. Brilliant and staggering discoveries are made every day, who are we to say this is not possible? I also do not believe in the nurture theory. I have several friends who are Atheists and come from insanely religious families who tried their damnedest to indoctrinate them but it didn't take hold. To me that shows that individual was lacking the genetic markers for falling into religion..

I wish they'd come up with a cure for people who wish everyone to think the same and have the same same beliefs . SO religion is a sickness there for having ideas and beliefs that differ from the norm must be a sickness too . I'm not religious , but I think if a society wanted to eliminate region they could adapt a Communist Chinese system in which religion is beaten and terrorized out of the people.

Assuming that one could actually link religion to a specific biological function -

Logically, since most of the planet is religious then this trait has has a significant selective advantage.

That you could "cure" it, and it would be back in very short order.

Trying to "cure" a trait that has such a significant selective advantage that it dominates the vast majority of the planet's population would be useless.

Analysing WHY this trait is advantageous....now that has possibilities.

if religion is genetic. how do you explain born again christians? living there life then all of a sudden OMG JESUS SAVED ME

Originally posted by the illuminator
if religion is genetic. how do you explain born again christians? living there life then all of a sudden OMG JESUS SAVED ME

Well.. I had hair most of my life then lost it all

Originally posted by Aeons
Analysing WHY this trait is advantageous....now that has possibilities.

Advantageous? Religious are turning society into the film "Idiocracy" as we speak. Don't get me started on the wars.. all based on who has the most powerful imaginary friend. It is a horrific thing to witness. Read my signature for example.

[edit on 17-9-2009 by reasonable]