This has GOT to be one for you, Den. It is all about belief, but tackles the topic from a totally different angle. Although the author is definitely in the modern sceptic camp he is not interested in debunking various systems of belief or putting a case against religion and the New Age movement. Instead his area of study is based on the theory that our brains are hardwired into believing in irrational things. In short the author, Bruce Hood, believes that if you dropped a bunch of young kids on a island they would develop their own religion.

What interests me is the issue regarding how humans try hard to pull reason and order out of chaos. "There are no atheists in the fox-holes" is a quote that speaks volumes about how the greater the stress level is on a society or an individual the higher the belief system or capacity to be superstitious:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Supersense-Why-We-Believe-Unbelievable/dp/1849010307

The author was interviewed this week on both "Point of Inquiry" and "Start of the Week".

I have them on my mp3 and will listen asap, although I have to say it has definately got my interest

Be sceptical,

Den.

This seems to fit well with the book:

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/strange-but-true/Jesus-appears-in-Marmite-jar.5315275.jp

Cheers,

Den.