Do you believe in the evolution of religion?

Question

I have been a student of, well, many things. Of particular interest is how our society has grown and changed over time. I am curious what people think of the idea that religion, in its current form, specifically Christian/Jewish/Islam, has evolved for older, simpler religions. That as societies get more complex, so do religions. Growing/adapting to new experiences or discoveries about nature.

Here is another question. If this evolution of religion is true, does that mean any religion will eventually evolve into a single-diety religion?

I'll add some more about the second part of my question. Or at least rephrase it.

If you took any religion with any number of dieties, would it gradually evolve into a religion with a single diety?

Answer 1

No they just become more cynical to keep on dominating you. Evolution no, business as usual, Remember religion is the business that never dies.

Answer 2

I wouldn't call it evolution as that implies a biological element that must of necessity be lacking in a spiritual matter.

But yes, in another sense, one could say religion "evolves".

As humans become more informed about reality, about the universe, about its makeup and constitution, so too will their spiritual response to their place in that reality grow and deepen.

Complexity, however, seems to be the beginning, rather than the current, state of faiths.

We started with a concept of spirit being present in every thing, every rock, every tree, every blade of grass. And each spirit was discrete from all others. Now THAT'S complex!

Today, for more than a third of earth's population there is but one Being to worship. And while the rituals with which men do this have complexified over the centuries, the root faith has not.

As for polytheism naturally evolving into monotheism. NOPE! Ain't gonna happen. The only recorded instance of such an event was during the reign of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton) who envisioned a single Deity, all-powerful and tried his best to get his God accepted as THE god for all Egypt. As Pharaoh, he could command it, but upon his death the whole thing fell apart.

Only when Revelation comes does man accept a single Deity. God's revelation to Abraham gave the Hebrews the path to monotheism. Jesus' death and resurrection gave the same for Christianity. And Muslims claim the same kind of revelation through Mohammed.

Not evolution, revelation. We can apparently know God only when HE talks to US. Good thing He's loquacious as well as creative, huh!?

Answer 3

thebigm57
11 minutes ago



I have answered this question and gotten a best answer from the community...Went something like this: Since early humanity's science couldn't explain various things like the sun rising; volcanic errupitons; the moon existing/orbiting; eclipses, etc; humanity created the entity/place to get an answer: God (if there is one). As science answered more and more of the basic questions it became clear there wasn't a need for multiple Gods so an evolution of sorts happened and the idea of ONE GOD prevailed upon humanity. People of similar beliefs got together when that occurred and began worshiping in DIFFERENT ways and Religions were born. Religion tried to give people faith in something better Heaven (if there is one) and present a risk of being punished for wrong action...going to Hell (if there is one). Religion continues to exist today as a means of social control that hasn't adapted to the times and is largely based on dated premises...It also exists as a point where science stops answering questions such as--Why do we exist or Why am I here? PEACE!

Answer 4

I believe in both. I do believe that God knew what he was doing when he started life for us here. I do believe that he has guided the evolution of all things here so that they could adapt and evolve according to his design. I believe that He knows where and how far we will evolve, and how far he will allow it to go. I do not question his motives nor his existence. I would like to know just how far he will allow us to go though. That would be some good information. Any religion that is not true, will continue to evolve also. The true religion will stand the test of time and not be wavered by the rantings of a select few that are unhappy about how things are going in the world. God knows!!!!!

Answer 5

I think anyone suggesting that religion does not evolve is speaking from an extremely unrealistic (and probably highly religious) viewpoint. Most religions are forced to evolve (such as growing leniency for modern aspects of life like birth control, gay and lesbian marraige, etc) in order to keep their congregations. Dogma that humans once took as absolute proof of truth are now accepted as metaphores for a deeper message. Hell was once literally a place of fire and brimstone, but now most state that it is merely existence outside the presence of God, or some similar metaphore. However, it certainly does seem that those religions that are closer to philosophy than religious dogma weather the ages with less evolution required. Spiritual truths such as those found in the Tao seem to be much the same today as they were centuries ago.

Answer 6

yes i do unfortunatly i can tell you from a muslim perspective it is obvious. they are called sects. the jewish started from one single book. then came translations into other languages and people interpet the religion in which they see fit. everyone wants to say don't take it literal. now u have many sects among jews. same with christians and same with muslims. how ever the quran until this very day has never been altered. the original is still till this day on display. i noticed in the bible the whole book of barnbus was taken out. people fight amongst their own brothers on religion because of the way they pray or the way they dress etc. so there for it is OBVIOUS religion tends to have evolution. islam warns that we should never divide into sects. and all but one will go to jehennem but one. (hell) a people of a certain religion should unite as one. if u are into the torah follow it and believe in it. if u are a bible person follow it same with the quran. it is difficult to do so though when a book is filled with a bunch of contradictions and parts are missing so there for i do not take it as authentic. so i chose islam

Answer 7

I think you're correct: either the belief system evolves, or it can be looked at as the understanding of God by man evolves, just like the understanding of the world evolves for anyone as they grow up. Even in the bible (Acts and letters of the apostles) you can see how their understanding evolved over time.

The second question, I'm not sure of. Evolution often creates many varied species and offbranches, rather than convergence. But for science, for example, the evolution of ideas sometimes causes convergence.

Answer 8

Why might you are trying this? You do understand that maximum people who study and settle for evolution are additionally religious, precise? Evolution isn't an "atheist" factor. it isn't the different of religion, or a alternative for faith. in straightforward terms a small minority of non secular human beings certainly oppose evolution and the coaching of it - they simply take place to be very loud and fanatical approximately it. Evolution has evidence to assist it. it could be stupid to no longer "have self assurance" in it, because it does, in certainty, exist.

Answer 9

Yes I believe "religion" evolves, except for Christianity which is not a religion, but a relationship. Religion is man reaching for God while Chrisitanity is God reaching for man. Religion is man "doing" things to be "good", but Christianity is God creating good in a willing, believing man.

No I don't see there being an evolution into one, especially with the Muslim religion since we are all infidels in their eyes (Koran)

Answer 10

No on the last point, too much contention between factions.

Absolutely on the evolution question. Virgin births, resurrections after three days, trials by the devil... these all predate Christianity by THOUSANDS of years. All religions pretty much carry a similar set of elements, derived from the earlier faiths.

Answer 11

Man made religion to explain, then to control, now that is how far we got. Now we have science to explain, and laws to keep order, so we have evolved to the point of not needing religion. So we can let it go, but some are addicted.