Rev. David Robins
READING
For many decades, scientists have assumed that human beings are wired for aggression and conflict, with a minimum but important wiring for altruism and cooperation. When religion lifts up non-violence and love as primary motive forces, even in the face of violence, it is not only countercultural but counter to what is thought to be our basic nature. After all, the part of our brain that flares up with emotions, to protect, defend or attack, the amygdale, is probably the oldest part of our brain.
But the amygdale is only one part of our brain. The brain is also wired for what some people call
