Religion is Helpful for Species Survival

I recently came across an article on the Economist website which describes a new push in the scientific community. There are a number of scientists who are attempting to understand religious behavior in terms of neurology and evolutionary biology. The article makes some passing comments on the importance of this kind of study for the history of mankind and gives overtures that scientists might be hot on the trail of a biological explanation for religious belief.

However, I find that unlikely. Given that these can describe the process of religious experience in terms of mental processes, that does not mean that religious experience is therefore illusory. For instance, if I were to have a complete understanding of how neurologically one comes to believe that a red ball is in front of them, and if I could even reproduce this experience using a cocktail of psychoactive drugs and electrical stimuli, that does not mean that every time I perceive a red ball it is an illusion. Perhaps my perceptions are faulty if they are the result of some scientist who insists upon fiddling about in my head, but that would be the exception.

Also, the article talks about the implications of religious belief in society. Perception of a supernatural agent, whether a ghost or God, would raise the likelihood that individual would behave in a morally acceptable way. Religious notions also sponsor feelings of group solidarity, inspiring altruistic behavior and a willingness to share resources. Furthermore, intensive religious practice might be an indicator of the ability to self-govern, a favorable trait in a mate and therefore favorable in evolutionary terms. The article didn’t suggest, but it is a logical extension, that religious believers might exhibit certain relational characteristics which are also favorable in a mate, such as empathy, fidelity, or other indicators of emotional health.

In short, it seems that research will eventually indicate that religion is evolutionarily excellent. It should not be a surprise that religious people are good for individual and group evolution; religious people are rule followers and often idealists. Who knows, maybe they will next find that being nice to other people is the best thing for the species.

While I could go on about this article, it might be better to just pull a couple of quotes which I found interesting (these aren’t meant to communicate the thrust of the article, they might be passing comments I found intriguing.)

“Dr Azari was expecting to see activity in the limbic systems of the Christians when they recited the psalm [23]. Previous research had suggested that this part of the brain (which regulates emotion) is an important centre of religious activity. In fact what happened was increased activity in three areas of the frontal and parietal cortex, some of which are better known for their involvement in rational thought.”

“…the perceived presence of a supernatural being can affect a person’s behaviour…”

“Dr Bering, too, likes the hypothesis that religion promotes fitness by promoting collaboration within groups.”

“And, slightly tongue in cheek, Dr Wilson quips that ‘secularism is very maladaptive biologically. We’re the ones who at best are having only two kids. Religious people are the ones who aren’t smoking and drinking, and are living longer and having the health benefits.’”