The_AT Religion_NN1 Virus_NN1 :_: Why_RRQ We_PPIS2 Believe_VV0 in_II God_NP1 :_: An_AT1 Evolutionist_NN1 Explains_VVZ Religion_NN1 's_GE Incredible_JJ Hold_NN1 on_II Humanity_NN1 The_AT modern-day_JJ Western_JJ "_" Abrahamic_JJ "_" religions_NN2 (_( Judaism_NN1 ,_, Christianity_NN1 and_CC Islam_NN1 )_) are_VBR all_DB woven_VVN from_II a_AT1 common_JJ fabric_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 begin_VV0 our_APPGE study_NN1 of_IO the_AT Religion_NN1 Virus_NN1 with_IW eight_MC major_JJ ideas_NN2 that_CST developed_VVD in_II the_AT millennia_NNT2 leading_VVG up_II21 to_II22 the_AT birth_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 ._. 
As_CSA we_PPIS2 study_VV0 each_DD1 idea_NN1 ,_, try_VV0 to_TO think_VVI of_IO it_PPH1 as_II a_AT1 meme_FW --_NN1 an_AT1 evolving_JJ ,_, reproducing_VVG entity_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ competing_VVG with_IW other_JJ memes_NN2 ,_, trying_VVG to_TO survive_VVI ,_, trying_VVG to_TO get_VVI passed_VVN on_II21 to_II22 the_AT next_MD generation_NN1 ,_, just_RR like_II a_AT1 gene_NN1 ._. 
Most_DAT studies_NN2 of_IO religious_JJ history_NN1 focus_NN1 on_II how_RGQ various_JJ ideas_NN2 gained_VVD importance_NN1 and_CC were_VBDR incorporated_VVN into_II each_DD1 religion_NN1 ._. 
In_II our_APPGE version_NN1 of_IO history_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 will_VM learn_VVI why_RRQ these_DD2 ideas_NN2 survived_VVD ,_, while_CS so_RG many_DA2 others_NN2 did_VDD not_XX ._. 
Earlier_RRR ,_, we_PPIS2 learned_VVD about_II the_AT Amung_JJ people_NN of_IO the_AT New_JJ Guinean_JJ highlands_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 people_NN whose_DDQGE beliefs_NN2 are_VBR animistic_JJ ._. 
The_AT Amung_NP1 did_VDD not_XX have_VHI an_AT1 idea_NN1 of_IO "_" gods_NN2 "_" that_CST are_VBR separate_JJ from_II nature_NN1 ;_; spirits_NN2 and_CC nature_NN1 were_VBDR one_MC1 and_CC the_AT same_DA ._. 
Their_APPGE religion_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX separate_JJ from_II their_APPGE lives_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 a_AT1 church_NN1 that_CST you_PPY attend_VV0 only_RR on_II Sunday_NPD1 ;_; instead_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR immersed_VVN in_II their_APPGE religion_NN1 throughout_II their_APPGE lives_NN2 ;_; their_APPGE spirits_NN2 are_VBR part_NN1 of_IO the_AT community_NN1 rather_CS21 than_CS22 separate_VVI from_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Ethics_NN in_II an_AT1 animistic_JJ society_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 the_AT Amung_NP1 are_VBR what_DDQ you_PPY might_VM call_VVI pragmatic_JJ ._. 
That_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, they_PPHS2 develop_VV0 a_AT1 code_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 is_VBZ not_XX handed_VVN down_RP by_II god_NN1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, it_PPH1 develops_VVZ as_II a_AT1 natural_JJ part_NN1 of_IO daily_JJ life_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 need_NN1 to_TO maintain_VVI order_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, the_AT spirits_NN2 and_CC natural_JJ forces_NN2 do_VD0 participate_VVI in_II ethics_NN ,_, but_CCB as_CSA "_" enforcers_NN2 "_" rather_II21 than_II22 the_AT source_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN ._. 
Even_RR without_IW a_AT1 god_NN1 handing_VVG them_PPHO2 stone_NN1 tablets_NN2 ,_, the_AT Amung_NP1 have_VH0 a_AT1 code_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN (_( gathered_VVN by_II Dr._NNB Turinsky_NP1 Cook_NP1 through_II extensive_JJ interviews_NN2 )_) that_DD1 is_VBZ remarkably_RR similar_JJ to_II Western_JJ ethics_NN ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, stealing_VVG ,_, lying_VVG ,_, adultery_NN1 ,_, large_JJ debts_NN2 ,_, and_CC sex_NN1 in_II sacred_JJ places_NN2 are_VBR prohibited_VVN ,_, while_CS generosity_NN1 ,_, gift-giving_NN1 ,_, sharing_VVG ,_, and_CC respect_NN1 for_IF elders_NN2 are_VBR strongly_RR encouraged_VVN ._. 
Notice_VV0 that_CST ,_, unlike_JJ Christianity_NN1 ,_, the_AT rewards_NN2 and_CC punishment_NN1 are_VBR immediate_JJ ,_, not_XX deferred_JJ until_CS the_AT afterlife_NN1 ._. 
The_AT villagers_NN2 are_VBR strongly_RR motivated_VVN to_TO carry_VVI out_RP the_AT punishment_NN1 ,_, because_CS if_CS they_PPHS2 do_VD0 n't_XX ,_, the_AT spirits_NN2 will_VM see_VVI to_II it_PPH1 that_CST their_APPGE gardens_NN2 do_VD0 n't_XX grow_VVI and_CC their_APPGE livestock_NN dies_VVZ ._. 
But_CCB more_RGR importantly_RR ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT mention_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN originating_VVG from_II the_AT spirits_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR not_XX god-given_JJ ,_, but_CCB rather_RR are_VBR just_RR natural_JJ ,_, pragmatic_JJ ethics_NN that_CST the_AT community_NN1 (_( including_II spirits_NN2 )_) agree_VV0 upon_II ._. 
The_AT Amung_NP1 make_VV0 no_AT mention_NN1 of_IO the_AT origin_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE ethics_NN ,_, they_PPHS2 simply_RR learn_VV0 them_PPHO2 as_CSA children_NN2 from_II the_AT village_NN1 elders_NN2 and_CC the_AT storytellers_NN2 ._. 
There_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 nearly_RR universal_JJ belief_NN1 held_VVN by_II Christian_JJ ,_, Jewish_JJ and_CC Muslim_JJ societies_NN2 around_II the_AT world_NN1 :_: Ethics_NN come_VV0 from_II God_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX always_RR so_RR ._. 
Societies_NN2 like_II the_AT Amung_NP1 of_IO New_NP1 Guinea_NP1 demonstrate_VV0 what_DDQ appears_VVZ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 typical_JJ pattern_NN1 for_IF animistic_JJ and_CC pre-monotheistic_JJ societies_NN2 --_NN1 their_APPGE ethics_NN come_VV0 from_II pragmatic_JJ rules_NN2 that_CST the_AT people_NN develop_VV0 over_II time_NNT1 to_TO get_VVI along_II21 with_II22 one_PPX121 another_PPX122 and_CC to_TO resolve_VVI disputes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Godly_JJ Origin_NN1 Of_IO Morals_NN2 meme_FW states_VVZ that_CST God_NP1 (_( or_CC the_AT gods_NN2 )_) is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ legitimate_JJ source_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN ,_, and_CC the_AT corollary_NN1 ,_, that_CST humans_NN2 are_VBR n't_XX capable_JJ of_IO figuring_VVG out_RP what_DDQ 's_VBZ right_JJ and_CC wrong_JJ without_IW help_NN1 from_II God_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Godly_JJ Origin_NN1 Of_IO Morals_NN2 meme_FW appears_VVZ to_TO have_VHI developed_VVN about_RG three_MC to_II four_MC thousand_NNO years_NNT2 ago_RA ._. 
Hammurabi_NN2 (_( 1810_MC --_JJ 1750_MC BCE_NP1 )_) was_VBDZ the_AT sixth_MD king_NN1 of_IO Babylon_NP1 ,_, and_CC through_II expansion_NN1 via_II conquests_NN2 ,_, became_VVD the_AT first_MD king_NN1 of_IO the_AT Babylonian_JJ Empire_NN1 ._. 
Hammurabi_NN2 believed_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ chosen_VVN to_TO deliver_VVI the_AT gods_NN2 '_GE laws_NN2 to_II humans_NN2 ._. 
Just_RR before_II his_APPGE death_NN1 ,_, the_AT Babylonian_JJ sun_NN1 god_NN1 Shamash_NN1 is_VBZ said_VVN to_TO have_VHI handed_VVN him_PPHO1 a_AT1 set_NN1 of_IO 282_MC laws_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ are_VBR now_RT known_VVN as_II the_AT Code_NN1 of_IO Hammurabi_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD these_DD2 laws_NN2 inscribed_VVN on_II a_AT1 huge_JJ stone_NN1 slab_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ very_RG symbolic_JJ ;_; Hammurabi_NP1 was_VBDZ in_II effect_NN1 saying_VVG ,_, "_" The_AT laws_NN2 from_II the_AT gods_NN2 can_VM not_XX be_VBI changed_VVN ,_, even_RR by_II a_AT1 king_NN1 ._. "_" 
Roughly_RR 600_MC years_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, the_AT best_RRT known_VVN god-given_JJ laws_NN2 ,_, now_RT called_VVN the_AT Ten_MC Commandments_NN2 ,_, were_VBDR given_VVN to_II Moses_NP1 by_II Yahweh_NP1 (_( around_RG 1200_MC BCE_NP1 )_) ._. 
After_CS Moses_NP1 ,_, both_DB2 the_AT prophets_NN2 Jesus_NP1 and_CC Mohammad_NP1 extended_VVD and_CC created_VVD new_JJ laws_NN2 ,_, in_II both_DB2 cases_NN2 said_VVD to_TO come_VVI directly_RR from_II Yahweh_NP1 himself_PPX1 ._. 
The_AT life_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 was_VBDZ dedicated_VVN to_II teaching_VVG ethical_JJ lessons_NN2 to_II his_APPGE followers_NN2 ,_, and_CC many_DA2 of_IO his_APPGE sermons_NN2 are_VBR documented_VVN in_II the_AT Christian_JJ Bible_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Qur'an_NN1 contains_VVZ ethics_NN of_IO Islam_NN1 ,_, and_CC is_VBZ said_VVN to_TO have_VHI been_VBN inspired_VVN by_II Yahweh_NP1 speaking_VVG through_II the_AT Prophet_NN1 Muhammad_NP1 over_II a_AT1 period_NN1 of_IO twenty-three_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
Here_RL is_VBZ an_AT1 example_NN1 that_CST illustrates_VVZ the_AT firm_JJ hold_NN1 the_AT Godly_JJ Origin_NN1 Of_IO Morals_NN2 meme_FW has_VHZ in_II the_AT modern_JJ Abrahamic_JJ religions_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS this_DD1 is_VBZ from_II the_AT Catholic_JJ Encyclopedia_NP1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ representative_JJ of_IO the_AT views_NN2 of_IO most_DAT Jews_NN2 ,_, Christians_NN2 and_CC Muslims_NN2 ._. 
In_II other_JJ words_NN2 ,_, without_IW guidance_NN1 from_II Yahweh_NP1 ,_, there_EX can_VM be_VBI no_AT morality_NN1 ._. 
In_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 the_AT pragmatic_JJ ethics_NN of_IO early_JJ societies_NN2 ,_, and_CC god-given_JJ ethics_NN ,_, a_AT1 third_MD source_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN arose_VVD with_IW the_AT Greeks_NN2 ,_, that_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, Greek_JJ Rationalism_NN1 ._. 
The_AT works_NN of_IO Socrates_NP1 ,_, Plato_NP1 ,_, Aristotle_NP1 and_CC the_AT other_JJ great_JJ Greek_JJ philosophers_NN2 had_VHD a_AT1 profound_JJ influence_NN1 on_II world_NN1 history_NN1 ,_, and_CC were_VBDR taught_VVN in_II Athens_NP1 for_IF almost_RR a_AT1 thousand_NNO years_NNT2 ,_, until_CS the_AT Catholic_JJ emperor_NN1 Justinian_NP1 I_PPIS1 closed_VVD down_RP all_DB non-Christian_JJ schools_NN2 of_IO philosophy_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Greek_JJ Rationalists_NN2 deduced_VVD that_DD1 virtue_NN1 and_CC vice_NN1 could_VM be_VBI defined_VVN by_II a_AT1 logical_JJ chain_NN1 that_CST began_VVD with_IW human_JJ happiness_NN1 ,_, tempered_VVN by_II what_DDQ today_RT we_PPIS2 know_VV0 as_II the_AT "_" Golden_JJ Rule_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT phrase_NN1 "_" everything_PN1 in_II moderation_NN1 "_" captures_VVZ it_PPH1 best_RRT ,_, but_CCB with_IW a_AT1 critical_JJ caveat_NN1 :_: Both_DB2 words_NN2 ,_, everything_PN1 ,_, and_CC moderation_NN1 ,_, must_VM be_VBI adhered_VVN to_II ._. 
They_PPHS2 defined_VVD virtue_NN1 as_II the_AT balance_NN1 between_II extremes_NN2 :_: Bravery_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 virtue_NN1 to_TO be_VBI found_VVN between_II rashness_NN1 and_CC cowardice_NN1 ._. 
Neither_RR the_AT drunk_JJ ,_, nor_CC the_AT person_NN1 who_PNQS does_VDZ n't_XX drink_VVI is_VBZ virtuous_JJ ,_, virtue_NN1 comes_VVZ from_II enjoying_VVG wine_NN1 in_II moderation_NN1 ._. 
Neither_RR the_AT glutton_NN1 nor_CC the_AT anorexic_NN1 is_VBZ virtuous_JJ ,_, virtue_NN1 comes_VVZ from_II eating_VVG a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO foods_NN2 in_II moderation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT virtuous_JJ patriot_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX defend_VVI his_APPGE country_NN1 blindly_RR and_CC without_IW question_NN1 ,_, nor_CC does_VDZ he_PPHS1 run_VVI at_II the_AT first_MD sign_NN1 of_IO trouble_NN1 ._. 
The_AT history_NN1 of_IO Greek_JJ Rational_JJ philosophy_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX end_VVI with_IW the_AT rise_NN1 of_IO Christianity_NN1 ,_, although_CS it_PPH1 "_" hibernated_VVD "_" for_IF a_AT1 very_RG long_JJ time_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT Godly_JJ Origin_NN1 of_IO Morals_NN2 meme_FW dominated_VVD Western_JJ philosophy_NN1 and_CC religion_NN1 for_IF almost_RR a_AT1 thousand_NNO years_NNT2 ._. 
Greek_JJ Rationalism_NN1 was_VBDZ nearly_RR forgotten_VVN ,_, until_CS it_PPH1 finally_RR came_VVD out_II21 of_II22 hibernation_NN1 during_II the_AT Renaissance_NN1 as_II the_AT Greek_JJ writings_NN2 were_VBDR rediscovered_VVN and_CC reprinted_JJ ._. 
Rationalism_NN1 became_VVD a_AT1 real_JJ force_NN1 with_IW the_AT rise_NN1 of_IO humanism_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 philosophy_NN1 based_VVN on_II the_AT ability_NN1 to_TO determine_VVI ethical_JJ questions_NN2 via_II rational_JJ thought_NN1 and_CC on_II the_AT human_JJ condition_NN1 ._. 
Humanism_NN1 had_VHD a_AT1 rough_JJ time_NNT1 of_IO it_PPH1 at_RR21 first_RR22 ,_, being_VBG branded_VVN "_" dangerous_JJ ,_, "_" but_CCB it_PPH1 gained_VVD adherents_NN2 through_II the_AT nineteenth_MD and_CC twentieth_MD centuries_NNT2 ._. 
Today_RT ,_, humanists_NN2 have_VH0 several_DA2 large_JJ organizations_NN2 ,_, web_NN1 sites_NN2 ,_, and_CC political_JJ groups_NN2 in_II America_NP1 ,_, and_CC are_VBR popular_JJ enough_RR to_TO regularly_RR draw_VVI the_AT wrath_NN1 of_IO television_NN1 evangelists_NN2 and_CC other_JJ conservative_JJ religious_JJ leaders_NN2 ._. 
Humanism_NN1 has_VHZ made_VVN a_AT1 revival_NN1 ,_, and_CC is_VBZ again_RT a_AT1 major_JJ challenge_NN1 to_II the_AT Godly_JJ Origin_NN1 of_IO Morals_NN2 meme_FW ._. 
The_AT earliest_JJT versions_NN2 of_IO gods_NN2 ,_, being_VBG of_IO the_AT same-stuff-as-us_PPIO2 variety_NN1 ,_, also_RR have_VH0 many_DA2 human_JJ flaws_NN2 ,_, including_II the_AT all-too-human_JJ emotions_NN2 of_IO vengeance_NN1 ,_, anger_VV0 ,_, and_CC meanness_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 makes_VVZ for_IF great_JJ stories_NN2 and_CC myths_NN2 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX much_DA1 of_IO a_AT1 problem_NN1 in_II polytheistic_JJ religions_NN2 where_RRQ various_JJ gods_NN2 fill_VV0 different_JJ roles_NN2 ._. 
There_EX 's_VBZ no_AT damage_NN1 to_II the_AT theology_NN1 if_CS the_AT god_NN1 of_IO war_NN1 is_VBZ mean_JJ ,_, the_AT god_NN1 of_IO wine_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 drunken_JJ partier_NN1 ,_, or_CC the_AT goddess_NN1 of_IO love_NN1 is_VBZ capricious_JJ ,_, promiscuous_JJ and_CC fickle_JJ ._. 
But_CCB as_CSA the_AT All-Purpose_NP1 God_NP1 and_CC Monotheism_NN1 memes_NN2 started_VVD to_TO take_VVI hold_NN1 ,_, these_DD2 characteristics_NN2 became_VVD a_AT1 problem_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY only_RR have_VH0 one_MC1 god_NN1 ,_, to_II whom_PNQO you_PPY look_VV0 for_IF all_DB of_IO your_APPGE spiritual_JJ needs_NN2 ,_, you_PPY 'd_VM like_VVI to_TO know_VVI that_CST this_DD1 god_NN1 will_VM look_VVI on_II you_PPY with_IW kindness_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 sort_NN1 of_IO father_NN1 figure_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ your_APPGE best_JJT interests_NN2 at_II heart_NN1 ._. 
Consider_VV0 Zeus_NP1 :_: he_PPHS1 killed_VVD Salmoneus_NP1 just_RR for_IF impersonating_VVG him_PPHO1 ,_, he_PPHS1 turned_VVD Pandareus_NP1 to_II stone_NN1 for_IF stealing_VVG ,_, he_PPHS1 turned_VVD Chelone_NP1 to_II a_AT1 tortoise_NN1 when_RRQ she_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX attend_VVI a_AT1 wedding_NN1 ,_, and_CC turned_VVD King_NNB Haemus_NP1 and_CC Queen_NNB Rhodope_NP1 into_II mountains_NN2 for_IF their_APPGE vanity_NN1 ._. 
Zeus_NP1 had_VHD a_AT1 pretty_RG bad_JJ temper_NN1 ._. 
Yahweh_NN1 was_VBDZ even_RR worse_JJR ._. 
Dawkins_NP1 puts_VVZ it_PPH1 succinctly_RR :_: "_" The_AT God_NN1 of_IO the_AT Old_JJ Testament_NN1 is_VBZ arguably_RR the_AT most_RGT unpleasant_JJ character_NN1 in_II all_DB fiction_NN1 :_: jealous_JJ and_CC proud_JJ of_IO it_PPH1 ;_; a_AT1 petty_JJ ,_, unjust_JJ ,_, unforgiving_JJ control-freak_NN1 ;_; a_AT1 vindictive_JJ ,_, bloodthirsty_JJ ethnic_JJ cleanser_NN1 ;_; a_AT1 misogynistic_JJ ,_, homophobic_JJ ,_, racist_NN1 ,_, infanticidal_JJ ,_, genocidal_JJ ,_, filicidal_JJ ,_, pestilential_JJ ,_, megalomaniacal_JJ ,_, sadomasochistic_JJ ,_, capriciously_RR malevolent_JJ bully_NN1 ._. "_" 
And_CC it_PPH1 's_VBZ no_AT joke_NN1 --_NN1 any_DD scholar_NN1 of_IO the_AT Old_JJ Testament_NN1 can_VM almost_RR immediately_RR recognize_VVI exactly_RR which_DDQ chapter_NN1 and_CC verse_NN1 Dawkins_NP1 is_VBZ talking_VVG about_II ._. 
Jealous_JJ ?_? 
See_VV0 the_AT First_MD Commandment_NN1 ._. 
Bloodthirsty_NN1 ?_? 
Read_VV0 Deuteronomy_NP1 ,_, Exodus_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 dozen_NNO other_JJ books_NN2 ._. 
Genocide_VV0 ?_? 
Filicide_VV0 ?_? 
Pestilence_NN1 ?_? 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ all_DB there_RL ,_, in_II black_JJ and_CC white_JJ ._. 
As_CSA Armstrong_NP1 writes_VVZ :_: "_" This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 brutal_JJ ,_, partial_JJ and_CC murderous_JJ god_NN1 ..._... he_PPHS1 is_VBZ passionately_RR partisan_JJ ,_, has_VHZ little_DA1 compassion_NN1 for_IF anyone_PN1 but_CCB his_APPGE own_DA favorites_NN2 and_CC is_VBZ simply_RR a_AT1 tribal_JJ deity_NN1 ._. 
If_CS Yahweh_NP1 had_VHD remained_VVN such_DA a_AT1 savage_JJ god_NN1 ,_, the_AT sooner_RRR he_PPHS1 vanished_VVD ,_, the_AT better_JJR ..._... "_" 
But_CCB Yahweh_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX remain_VVI the_AT mean_JJ bully_NN1 of_IO the_AT Old_JJ Testament_NN1 ._. 
Armstrong_NP1 goes_VVZ on_RP to_TO say_VVI :_: "_" ..._... 
Yahweh_NP1 did_VDD not_XX remain_VVI the_AT cruel_JJ and_CC violent_JJ god_NN1 of_IO the_AT Exodus_NN1 ..._... the_AT Israelites_NN2 would_VM transform_VVI him_PPHO1 beyond_II recognition_NN1 into_II a_AT1 symbol_NN1 of_IO transcendence_NN1 and_CC compassion_NN1 ._. "_" 
James_NP1 William_NP1 Tutt_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 English_JJ entomologist_NN1 ,_, wrote_VVD a_AT1 really_RR boring_JJ book_NN1 called_VVN Natural_JJ History_NN1 of_IO the_AT British_JJ Lepidoptera_NP1 (_( 1890-1911_MCMC )_) ._. 
Well_RR ,_, maybe_RR other_JJ entomologists_NN2 find_VV0 it_PPH1 fascinating_JJ ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 fell_VVD asleep_JJ after_II a_AT1 few_DA2 pages_NN2 ._. 
Ordinarily_RR ,_, a_AT1 book_NN1 like_II Tutt_NP1 's_VBZ would_VM be_VBI read_VVN by_II a_AT1 few_DA2 and_CC then_RT forgotten_VVN on_II some_DD dusty_JJ shelf_NN1 in_II the_AT university_NN1 library_NN1 's_GE attic_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB buried_VVN among_II a_AT1 thousand_NNO other_JJ dry_JJ facts_NN2 ,_, Tutt_NP1 reported_VVD one_MC1 of_IO the_AT first_MD ,_, and_CC still_RR one_MC1 of_IO the_AT best_JJT ,_, examples_NN2 of_IO "_" survival_NN1 of_IO the_AT fittest_JJT "_" in_II action_NN1 ._. 
In_II pre-industrial_JJ England_NP1 ,_, the_AT peppered_JJ moths_NN2 (_( Biston_NP1 betularia_NN1 )_) were_VBDR almost_RR all_DB light_JJ colored_JJ --_NN1 about_RG ninety-eight_MC percent_NNU were_VBDR white_JJ with_IW dark_JJ "_" pepper_NN1 "_" specks_NN2 ,_, and_CC two_MC percent_NNU were_VBDR dark_JJ with_IW light_JJ specks_NN2 ,_, and_CC by_II good_JJ luck_NN1 (_( and_CC hard_JJ work_NN1 )_) this_DD1 statistic_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN carefully_RR documented_VVN by_II scientists_NN2 ._. 
The_AT light-colored_JJ moths_NN2 blended_VVD exceptionally_RR well_RR with_IW the_AT lichen-covered_JJ trees_NN2 on_II which_DDQ they_PPHS2 landed_VVD ,_, making_VVG them_PPHO2 hard_RR for_IF birds_NN2 to_TO spot_VVI ._. 
The_AT industrial_JJ revolution_NN1 in_II England_NP1 brought_VVD textiles_NN2 ,_, transportation_NN1 ,_, food_NN1 production_NN1 ,_, manufactured_JJ goods_NN2 --_NN1 just_RR21 about_RR22 every_AT1 aspect_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 was_VBDZ changed_VVN ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 had_VHD a_AT1 price_NN1 :_: Between_II 1800_MC and_CC 1900_MC ,_, the_AT energy_NN1 used_VVN by_II England_NP1 increased_VVD tenfold_RR ,_, and_CC this_DD1 energy_NN1 came_VVD almost_RR entirely_RR from_II burning_JJ coal_NN1 ,_, vast_JJ quantities_NN2 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT resulting_JJ sooty_JJ pollution_NN1 killed_VVD the_AT lichens_NN2 and_CC blackened_VVD the_AT trees_NN2 on_II which_DDQ the_AT peppered_JJ moths_NN2 like_VV0 to_TO land_VVI ._. 
The_AT light-colored_JJ moths_NN2 who_PNQS landed_VVD on_II these_DD2 soot-covered_JJ trees_NN2 were_VBDR easy_JJ for_IF birds_NN2 to_TO spot_VVI ,_, and_CC the_AT dark_JJ moths_NN2 were_VBDR well_RR hidden_VVN ._. 
The_AT result_NN1 ?_? 
In_II just_RR forty-seven_MC years_NNT2 ,_, the_AT dark-colored_JJ moth_NN1 population_NN1 grew_VVD from_II from_II two_MC percent_NNU to_II ninety-eight_MC percent_NNU ,_, a_AT1 complete_JJ reversal_NN1 of_IO the_AT percentages_NN2 ._. 
J.W._NP1 Tutt_NP1 's_GE discovery_NN1 and_CC explanation_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 dramatic_JJ and_CC simple_JJ example_NN1 of_IO "_" survival_NN1 of_IO the_AT fittest_JJT "_" in_II action_NN1 ,_, one_PN1 that_CST has_VHZ become_VVN a_AT1 textbook_NN1 case_NN1 ,_, studied_VVN by_II virtually_RR all_DB students_NN2 of_IO evolution_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 shows_VVZ ,_, literally_RR in_II "_" black_JJ and_CC white_JJ ,_, "_" just_RR how_RGQ powerful_JJ the_AT filtering_NN1 process_NN1 of_IO natural_JJ selection_NN1 can_VM be_VBI ._. 
"_" Survival_NN1 of_IO the_AT Fittest_JJT "_" is_VBZ the_AT best-known_JJ part_NN1 of_IO Darwin_NP1 's_GE principles_NN2 ,_, and_CC has_VHZ become_VVN somewhat_DD1 of_IO a_AT1 popular_JJ shorthand_NN1 for_IF Darwin_NP1 's_GE entire_JJ thesis_NN1 ._. 
The_AT cheetah_NN1 who_PNQS runs_VVZ faster_RRR catches_VVZ more_DAR food_NN1 and_CC raises_VVZ more_RGR fast_JJ baby_NN1 cheetahs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT frog_NN1 whose_DDQGE tongue_NN1 is_VBZ longer_JJR and_CC stickier_JJR catches_NN2 more_RRR flies_VVZ ,_, and_CC has_VHZ more_DAR baby_NN1 frogs_NN2 with_IW longer_JJR ,_, stickier_JJR tongues_NN2 ._. 
The_AT smallpox_NN virus_NN1 that_CST does_VDZ not_XX kill_VVI you_PPY quickly_RR will_VM have_VHI more_DAR opportunities_NN2 to_TO infect_VVI other_JJ people_NN ,_, so_CS it_PPH1 spreads_VVZ faster_RRR ._. 
These_DD2 are_VBR the_AT "_" fittest_JJT ,_, "_" the_AT ones_NN2 that_CST go_VV0 on_RP to_TO reproduce_VVI and_CC create_VVI the_AT most_DAT copies_NN2 of_IO their_APPGE genes_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB here_RL 's_VBZ the_AT problem_NN1 :_: Both_DB2 "_" survival_NN1 "_" and_CC "_" fittest_JJT "_" are_VBR misleading_JJ terms_NN2 !_! 
The_AT word_NN1 "_" fittest_JJT "_" conjures_VVZ up_RP ideas_NN2 of_IO wholesomeness_NN1 ,_, athletic_JJ prowess_NN1 ,_, morality_NN1 and_CC other_JJ human_JJ values_NN2 ._. 
Nothing_PN1 could_VM be_VBI further_JJR from_II the_AT truth_NN1 :_: Evolution_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX care_VVI about_II human_JJ concepts_NN2 like_II "_" right_NN1 "_" and_CC "_" wrong_JJ "_" or_CC "_" good_JJ "_" and_CC "_" bad_JJ ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ unfortunate_JJ that_CST the_AT word_NN1 "_" fittest_JJT ,_, "_" which_DDQ brings_VVZ so_RG many_DA2 human_JJ moral_JJ and_CC ethical_JJ connotations_NN2 ,_, is_VBZ a_AT1 keyword_NN1 of_IO Evolution_NN1 Science_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX "_" fitness_NN1 "_" that_CST matters_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ "_" reproduction_NN1 ._. "_" 
To_TO put_VVI this_DD1 in_II human_JJ terms_NN2 ,_, Mormons_NN2 and_CC Catholics_NN2 are_VBR more_RGR "_" fit_JJ "_" than_CSN atheists_NN2 and_CC others_NN2 ,_, because_CS they_PPHS2 typically_RR have_VH0 more_DAR children_NN2 ._. 
