Manufacturing Belief

Lewis Wolpert has developed a theory that complex tool making and religion go hand in hand. He sees both as a direct result of the distinctly human ability to understand cause and effect relationships.

Like fellow British scientist Richard Dawkins, he's an outspoken atheist with a knack for saying outrageous things. Unlike Dawkins, Wolpert has no desire to abolish religion. In fact, he thinks religious belief can provide great comfort and points to medical studies showing that the faithful tend to suffer less stress and anxiety than nonbelievers. In Wolpert's view, religion has given believers an evolutionary advantage, even though it's based on a grand illusion.

Go ahead, read the interview. You're not going to go to hell just for reading an entertaining interview with an atheist.