Could the belief in Divinity be part of human evolution?

Question

There is emerging evidence to support the theory that belief in God is built into human evolution as a survival mechanism. In other words, we are "supposed" to believe because it makes us better able to cope with the hardships of life. If this is true, are we better off not knowing that it is true?

Answer 1

Great question. I've studied a lot of different forms of spirituality and have worked as a medical writer and editor for many years (on topics such as neuropsychiatry) and so have a perspective that differs from most people on this subject. Belief in God--what he/she/it is--has changed over time since the "dawn of mankind" but the belief certainly seems to be a basic human need and I do think that the human brain is "wired" in such a way to interpret a certain relationship between the inside world of the psyche and the outside world of "the world" in terms of divinity, religiosity, spirituality, and mysticism. One could argue that "something " is "there" that is intuited, translated, and interpreted through the human mind and senses in a certain limited way, giving rise to religiosity and spirituality in its many forms. One could also say that spirituality is an epiphenomenon of consciousness.

Some persons, like myself, feel that looking at the matter in this way is liberating because of what it says about human consciousness. For very many other persons, I imagine the idea you present is quite threatening and unacceptable. In the end, does it matter? We live and die. What is will be regardless of belief systems.

Answer 2

I don't know that I buy that.

According to many posters on here, there are more and more people who do not believe in God. If that is true, and belief in God is a survival instinct or mechanism, then by evolutionary standards those who have progressed to the level of "non-belief" must be better at coping and no longer need this instinct.

So this would mean all those who do not believe in God are better at coping with hardships? I do not see evidence for that at all. I think even non-believers might agree that there is no evidence that the faithless are better at coping in life.

That totally debunks the theory of belief in God being a part of evolution.

Answer 3

they do no longer must be. yet biblical creationism is at odds with evolution, with the aid of time lines and the genetic issues that could have come from all of humanity being born of two human beings. There are different kinds of creationism that don't conflict with evolution nonetheless. No it is not probably that God created humanity by way of evolution. there is not any way any human beings can say what's 'very probably' while it is composed of issues that occurred billions of years in the past. you like a clearer be attentive to-how of what 'very probably' potential. And confident, the advice that a single cellular has the aptitude to evolve right into a human is stunning. the important element to recollect nonetheless is that it does not take a God to reason a miracle. It takes a individual to interpret a difficulty or technique as stunning.

Answer 4

If you're looking at evolution's idea of survival mechanisms, then why is there marriage? Survival insists multiple sexual partners. Monogamy is counter-productive to survival.

How is the belief in God necessary for survival? Beliefs are not a part of evolution. Changes from one species to another is the basis for evolution. Even adaptation is not - strictly speaking - a part of evolution.

If evolution is true, then the hardships of life are coped with through physical changes, not ideological.

And, as one person once asked me, "if evolution were true, how come moms don't have three arms?" Hmmmm.

Answer 5

In a certain way it is.

The world first saw the practice of polytheistic religions. If you look closer into the hierarchical structure of Gods and deities in Roman, Greek, Egyptian or Indian religions you will see that almost every force of nature is considered or named a God. Stronger forces heading the less stronger forces.

I believe back then people looked up to anything that was beyond their control as being controlled by a superior being viz God. By the advent of monotheistic religions all these forces got combined to represent One god who controlled the human beings and nature as a whole.

It is definitely evolved even since then as to how god is perceived.

Answer 6

In his book, "The God Delusion", Richard Dawkins devotes an entire chapter to this subject. He postulates that the tendency toward religion is actually an unintended side-effect of another evolved trait that really DOES help us to survive.

For example, a "believe everything your elders tell you without question" gene would be a handy way to pass down survival information like which berries are safe to eat, not to go out of the cave when it's dark, etc., from one generation to the next. But at the same time, useless information like "killing a goat and pouring its blood on this rock will guarantee a bountiful harvest" along with the useful.

Another possibility would be that our tendency to assign intent and (divine) purpose to natural events is a shortcut for understanding a potentially hostile environment -- I assume that there's a "thunder god" who is angry when he casts down lightning; so I run and hide, and that protects me from accidentally being hit by it.

Answer 7

Not likely. Such a belief system is an avoidance mechanism which hinders handling real hardships to survival.

Answer 8

I don't think so. Part of evolving and progressing would be advancing as a society. Religion wants to limit education (ID), medical advancement (stem cell research), scientific research (evolution), and the rights of citizens (gay marriage).

It is more a control structure than a coping tool.

The Rev. makes a good point. If it is at all tied to evolution, it would seem more of a byproduct than beneficial result.

Answer 9

It's certainly part of cultural evolution. There is evidence that Neanderthals had religious practices 50,000 years ago.

Answer 10

That implies God doesn't exist...it is a way to explain away the belief in God, but it overlooks those (like me) who have had direct personal experience of God.

~ Eric Putkonen