April 18, 2016

April 18, 2016

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Verbal Engineer

Dear Reader,

In “Religion as Schedule-Induced Behavior” (2009) Strand concludes that “rather than being of only esoteric interest, schedule-induced behavior may be the behavioral basis for a variety of complex behavior patterns, including religious behavior.” This writer believes that he is absolutely right. Strand is even more to the point as he suggests “Independent of these considerations, the value of the present formulation lies in the fact that it posits a personal-experiential foundation for religion that is consistent with the writings of philosophers and religious scholars.” This writer, however, suggests that we also posit a “personal-experiential foundation” for our verbal behavior. Such a foundation fits perfectly with what he calls Sound Verbal Behavior (SVB). 

While only SVB can capture our effortless, graceful, foundational, religious experience, Noxious Verbal Behavior (NVB) always involves the expression of our effortful, acquired and presumably purposeful religious behavior. The SVB/NVB distinction, which extends the already existing “behaviorally legitimate phenomena”, enables communicators to make sense of complex phenomena, such as religious and compulsive behaviors. By discriminating between SVB and NVB, we will witness an effortless decrease of NVB and an effortless increase of SVB.  Our increased ability to talk about our religious experiences, stimulated by the refinement that is caused by SVB, predicts that future generations will talk more with each other andwrite and read less than previous generations. The resurrection of spoken communication will create a new order as our old conflicts can finally be resolved. Just as we were once incapable of flying, we can now fly as our technology makes it possible. 

SVB will be possible for all of us, once it is taught. The decrease of NVB is a stabilizing process which will bring tremendous relief. Since we are finally able to talk with each other in a positive manner, our inclination to believe in some supernatural being extinguishes. We will be religious, but without a religion and we will create and sustain circumstances that enhance our lives.