Noted neuroscientist and late-night talk show host Bill Maher:

We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think that religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder. If you look at it logically, it's something that was drilled into your head when you were a small child.

Apparently, the actual neuroscientists over at New Scientist aren't looking at it 'logically' enough. Besides finding evidence, contra Dr. Maher, MD, that there are more factors involved than just nurture, they also note:

About a dozen studies have shown that religious people tend to share other personality traits, although it is not clear whether these arise from genetic or environmental factors. These include the ability to get along well with others and being conscientious, working hard, being punctual, and controlling one's impulses.

If getting along well with people, hard work, conscientiousness, punctuality, and impulse control are symptoms of a neurological 'disorder', I want to know: Where do I sign up? And is there another disorder I can 'contract' to become wealthy and stunningly good looking? Perhaps the last one would require a physical disorder. ;-)

Of course, consider the contrapositive: if being "religious" increases these beneficial traits, it's also true being "irreligious" comparatively decreases them. Since being 'religious' is by far the norm, why are we studying it as though it were some odd ailment? And if there were an alternate state of mind which interefered with these positive behaviors, wouldn't that actually be a better candidate for a 'disorder' classification?

I'm just sayin', is all.

I find the following Maher statement equally rich, coming from a member of the fantasy-based community:

I love America. I am just embarrassed that it has been taken over by people like evangelicals, by people who do not believe in science and rationality.

Yes, if you want to find people who really love and are interested in science and 'rationality', go to Hollywood. ;-)

Thanks for the somewhat-flawed lesson in neurology, Dr. Maher. In our next lesson, we will learn meterology and environmental science by watching "The Day After Tomorrow", and study geophysics from noted geologist Pierce Brosnan, via his award-winning documentary, "Volcano!" Finally, we'll all be treated to a discourse in formal reasoning from renowned philosopher Dr. Barbara Streisand, PhD.