Not every society has been (or even is - the Austrailian aboriginies for example) as "left-brained" and linear as ours is. And to an extend the development of modes of cognition can be socialized and taught. More "right-brained" societies have tended to develop more animistic spiritual views. This is more of a mystical state where one is connected with the universe and the spiritual essence flows through and connects all. In general this type of spirituality seems to be/have been more prevalent in less agricultually intensive and less literate, and definitely less alphabetically literate societies or some combination thereof. The developement of both agriculture and literacy would neccessitate a more sequential form of thought - the province of the left-brain where the self and the world would become more separated into discreete packets. So what could have once been a spirit one was connected with seems to be more of an outside influence and could have evolved into a 'god' - something to be prayed to rather than talked to. Make any sense?
Re: invasion vs. genetic engineering