Haidt would put this under the moral foundations of authority and loyalty. Remember, early gods may be men, like Caesar, who accepted sacrifices from his subjects.
http://www.godvine.com/Sweet-Dog-Cries-for-Joy-in-His-Soldier-Daddy-s-Lap-3654.html
Where does the need to worship god come from?
by Socrateswannabe 16 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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snakeface
I think belief in a diety satifies a need in people. a need to have a protector, the hope of a better afterlife, one who will punish wrongdoers. In a sense, santa clausan superman, E T, batman and other "heroes" who have superhuman abilities appeal to this need as well.
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mynameislame
Well I had the worst cold this week and if I wasn't aware of germs I'm not sure I wouldn't consider it some sort of demon possession. And if I did then I would have certainly made a sacrifice or two to a benevolent deity.
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aquafrenta
I think religion gave an evolutionary competetive advantage over those without spiritual inclinations.
Belief in an afterlife predates homo sapiens. When self awareness became stronger in our ancestors, the question "why?" needed answering.
It allowed the family to become the tribe, and then the village.
Most sapiens and mammals in general push young males out of the family unit. Early religious belief caused a change in this dynamic allowing for a larger group of productive individuals. The tribe gains physical strength to ward off attack, and once large enough can become the aggressor and illiminate competition from less religiously inclined.
I think of spirituality as the mortar of civilization, homo sapiens are the bricks.
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Apognophos
That's a good point, aquafrenta -- I say this partially by way of patting myself on the back because I said something similar a few days ago : http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/adult/275670/1/Religion-is-an-opium (search for "super-tribe").
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LisaRose
I think you are right on Aquafrenta.
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aquafrenta
Just read your post Apo, we are thinking along the same lines.
I also have misgivings with secular humanism, for different reasons I am sure. I do fear a reversal of culture without the glue of an independant moral compass offered by belief in a higher power.
That religion has caused mayhem historically and is blamed for alot of the divisions today doesn't mean it has no usefull purpose. People will mistreat others and even kill them with or without religion. Blaming religion is like blaming knives or money. There are usually multiple underlying circumstances which can include the aformentioned and more.
I see religion as applied philosophy. If philosophy contradicts science, philosopholy is trumped but still usefull.