“Belief in God is apparently a psychological artifact of mammalian reproduction.”

Source: The Fountains of Paradise (1979), Chapter 35 “Starglider Plus Eighty” (p. 190)

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Arthur C. Clarke 207
British science fiction writer, science writer, inventor, u… 1917–2008

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Context: The fact is there is nothing that you can trust; and that is a terrible fact, whether you like it or not. Psychologically, there is nothing in the world that you can put your faith, your trust, or your belief in. Neither your gods, nor your science can save you, can bring you psychological certainty; and you have to accept that you can trust in absolutely nothing. That is a scientific fact, as well as a psychological fact. Because, your leaders — religious and political — and your books — sacred and profane — have all failed, and you are still confused, in misery, in conflict. So, that is an absolute, undeniable fact.

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“In any spirit that isn't deformed there is the belief in God. In any spirit that is not deformed there isn't the belief in a particular God.”

Ibid., p. 375
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Original: Em qualquer espírito, que não seja disforme, existe a crença em Deus. Em qualquer espírito, que não seja disforme, não existe crença em um Deus definido.

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