Religion as a virus

Destroys reasoning areas of the brain

Propagation by modifying the host; violent fear of (change, others, etc etc)
Recognizes other infected hosts (similar behaviour). Causes generally violent
behavior, obsessive/compulsive behavior (labeled "religous rites", etc) and
other non-functional symptoms.


Hosts admit "outside influence", ie. unnatural internal influence; peripheral 
sense of internal change. Labeled "god" at some point, obviously identifying
it as an outside influence, this idea further propagated by the mass
delusional system. Obviously the virus makes major changes, these are 
detectable to the host, but like a mosquito, it "anesthetizes" the host as the
infection takes. Host perceives it as "seeing god" or "born again".

Contagion. Requires repeated exposure, and infection almost active behaviour on
the part of the host. (see below) Cure is easy physically, but due to the
nature of the infection very difficult.

Active use of thinking processes (hormonal secretions, or some such,etc) 
prevents infection

Action on host is generation of metalogical, self delusional thoughts, similar
to circular reasoning patterns in paranoia and pyschosis. Pretty easy to
account for such global, low level, symbolic changes being caused by a
physical vector. "faith" vs. reasoned arguments or even emotional arguments.

Very successful virus; entrenched in "normal" human commerce. Previously
uninfected areas (africa, etc) become infected after prolonged exposure
to European cultures.

Sucess: no, or minimal, physical changes to the host. ! possibly not
human-only; in animals it shows up as agressive violence and non-
cooperative behaviour.

Are there any other things that affect brain/nervous system only, by 
modifying behavior? Rabies? etc

European cultures violently religious; ditto violent and destructive to less
agressive cultures. Witness the world.