Reply #4: Religion (Magical Thinking) is a Natural Step

[The River]

in the evolution of both individuals and
cultures.
Just as young children go through a stage of
magical thinking (prerational) before they
evolve and begin to think mythically and then rationally,
societies also must go through this painfull process.
Rationality (science) dispells both the myth and magic
of prerational (magical) thinking.

The religious backlash comes from
knowing that science (rationality) will
soon diminish religions hold over the masses.
It may take another 1000 years but evolution is patient.

Ken Wilber has layed this all out in
a half dozen different books.