Are we ‘programmed’ to believe in God? Research finds an unexpected link between religion and evolution

God Is Watching You: How the Fear of God Makes Us Human

Wednesday 04th November 2015

Published by: Oxford University Press
Type: Book

Publisher's Website

In 'God Is Watching You', Dominic Johnson proposes a new theory of the origins and evolution of not only religion, but also human cooperation and society. He also explores how fear of supernatural punishment exists within and outside of religious contexts, and uses an interdisciplinary approach that draws on new research from anthropology, evolutionary biology, experimental psychology, and neuroscience

Abstract

"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die." The biblical story of the flood crystalizes--in its terrifying, dramatic simplicity--the universally recognized concept of divine punishment. For millennia human civilizations have relied on such beliefs to create moral order. People who commit crimes or other bad deeds, we are told, will suffer retribution, while rewards--abstract or material--await those who do good. This simple but powerful idea has long served to deter self-interest and achieve remarkable levels of cooperation. Indeed, as all societies seem to have found, these beliefs are so good at promoting cooperation that they may have been favored by natural selection. Today, while secularism and unbelief are at an all-time high, the willingness to believe in some kind of payback or karma remains nearly universal. Even atheists often feel they are being monitored and judged. We find ourselves imagining what our parents, spouse, or boss would think of our thoughts and actions, even if they are miles away and will never find out. We talk of eyes burning into the backs of our heads, the walls listening, a sense that someone or something is out there, observing our every move, aware of our thoughts and intentions.

God Is Watching You is an exploration of this belief as it has developed over time and how it has shaped the course of human evolution. Dominic Johnson explores such questions as: Was a belief in supernatural consequences instrumental in the origins of human societies? How has it affected the way human society has changed, how we live today, and how we will live in the future? Does it expand or limit the potential for local, regional and global cooperation? How will the current decline in religious belief (at least in many western countries) affect our ability to live together? And what, if anything, will temper self-interest and promote cooperation if religion declines? In short, do we still need God?

Drawing on new research from anthropology, evolutionary biology, experimental psychology, and neuroscience, Johnson presents a new theory of supernatural punishment that offers fresh insight into the origins and evolution of not only religion, but also human cooperation and society. He shows that belief in supernatural reward and punishment is no quirk of western or Christian culture, but a ubiquitous part of human nature that spans geographical regions, cultures, and human history.

Professor Dominic Johnson is Alastair Buchan Chair of International Relations, Director of Research

Source: http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/publications/god-is-watching-you-how-the-fear-of-god-makes-us-human.html

Are we ‘programmed’ to believe in God? Research finds an unexpected link between religion and evolution

by Ancient Code · 29/12/2015

According to new research, it is possible that mankind is ‘hardwired’ to be religious, and the cause of this is EVOLUTION. According to an Oxford University Professor, fear of gods could have helped shape mankind into what we are today. This means that Religion could very well be the result of evolution.

The fear of God’s wrath could have played a key role in the evolutionary development of humans.

If belief in divine retribution is so entrenched among humans it is because evolution, writes Dominic Johnson, an expert in evolutionary biology and in international relations from Oxford University, in his new book ‘God is watching you’.
Is it possible that we have been programmed to believe in God?

Is it possible that we have been programmed to believe in God?

God Is Watching You:

Proposes a new theory of the origins and evolution of not only religion, but also human cooperation and society
Explores how fear of supernatural punishment exists within and outside of religious contexts
Uses an interdisciplinary approach that draws on new research from anthropology, evolutionary biology, experimental psychology, and neuroscience

According to Professor Johnsons theory, the feeling of being watched by a powerful supernatural being could have been the cause that our ancestors behaved in a less selfish way. Johnson believes that belief in divine punishment would have helped enhance cooperation among humans, one of the key traits that is based on the evolutionary success of our species. Likewise, Professor Johnson explains why fear of punishment would have become a more important force in religion than other aspects, such as love and altruism. According to him, this is mainly due to the way our brains establish links.

Professor Johnson says, in his new book ‘God is Watching You’ that that enigmatic belief in divine punishment is something that has been hardwired into us by ‘evolution’ and is one of the main causes that led to the creation and development of ALL world religions.

‘The ability to anticipate rewards or punishments arising from our behavior would clearly have been favored by Darwinian natural selection, because it promoted survival and reproduction,’ he said.

‘I argue this extended to the anticipation of supernatural reward and punishment.’

‘God-fearing people were better able to avoid raising the ire of their fellow man, lowering the costs of real world sanctions, and raising the rewards of co-operation.’

‘It offers a striking twist on the old science and religion debate – religion is not an alternative to evolution, it is a product of evolution.’

According to psychological research, it is shown that negative events in human life tend to have a much more powerful impact on our thinking and behavior than positive ones.

Professor Johnson added: ‘When humans evolved the capacity for complex language and theory of mind – the ability to know what others’ know – our behavior became increasingly transparent and selfish behavior and social transgressions risked increasing costs from retaliation or reputational damage.’

‘Avoiding these costs ushered in a new era in which the suppression of selfishness became a vital ingredient of an individual’s evolutionary success.’

‘The idea that one’s good and bad deeds will be observed, judged and rewarded or punished by God or some other supernatural agent is a recurring feature of virtually all of the world’s religions, both past and present.’

‘The looming threat of supernatural punishment deterred selfish behavior and increased cooperation, and this was a good thing for individuals as well as society.’

Source: http://www.ancient-code.com/are-we-programmed-to-believe-in-god-research-finds-an-unexpected-link-between-religion-and-evolution/

Admin wrote:means religious = can procreate better?