Interesting for discussion: Religion as a means to assure paternity

[Vanje]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002770738

[Warren DeMontague]

1. It sure seems like the Western Variety has been obsessively focused on controlling people, certainly

Although it's an interesting question as to whether this seemingly endless itch to control other peoples' lives is an outgrowth of religion, or a driver for it.

One thing seems certain, from a historical context, the Priest celibacy thing sure seemed to have a lot to do with making sure the church got all their property and loot when they died.

[kdmorris]

2. Historically, religion was used to control the populace

and much of the control of women's reproduction was for men to be relatively sure they fathered the children that they are providing for. We women have always had it easy - we are genetically related to any child we can push out of our body (before assisted reproductive technologies). Men - they can never be sure.

It's not really that much of a stretch that men used religion as a way to control women and assure paternity of the children.