Across the world there is a precise fit between social unfairness and the power of the priesthood,\u201d\u009d Steve Jones, professor of genetics at University College London, has said. \u201cIn countries whose governments are fair and effective the influence of the clergy fades.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most devout nations have more crime, more infant deaths, more mental illness and less social mobility. Chaos and credulity go together.\u201d\u009d Professor Jones, who will speak on science in the Bible at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival next month, said that his intention was not to engage in an atheist attack on religion, but instead to discuss its origins \u201d\u201d and what, if anything, that can tell us about why and how it developed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is lots of consistency,\u201d\u009d he said. \u201cLook at hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists. Hunter gatherers often have a god, but generally it is god up there who makes rains come and plants grow. He is not an interfering god, he doesn\u2019t deal with individuals and say, \u201d\u02dcYou\u2019ve sinned, go to Hell\u2019. As soon as you get farming, there is a complete swing. He becomes an interfering god, and says you must follow these rules and if not you are in trouble.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n