March 17th Notes REL 304 Biological Theories of Religion Evolution and Religion Other evolutionary hypothesis 1.

1. Religion may have an adaptive benefi, such as group fitniss a. It bind people together and motivates individuals to put the interests of the group above their own b. It encourages moral behavior toward those within the group and aggression, when necessary, toward those outside it. 2. Religion may enhance individual health and longevity, and hence survival. Attachment Theory and Religion - the innate mental parent-infant attachment system is extended to god as a child becomes independent - The attachement system continues to operate and influence social relations through the human lifespan - Major shifts in adult attachment o Proximity shifts from physical contact to mental contact o Attachment figures shift from parents to significant others - Gods may become attachment figures (the best possible). - Religious attachments derive from natural mental mechanisms Freudian approach but argues that religion is normal, natural and completely acceptable and understandable Epidemiological Theory and Religion Epidemiological Model of Culture Cluture (ideas) = Infectious Disease (viruses Culture is the product of minds: it is ideas that catch 1. Memes an element of culture passed on by non-genetic means, especially imitation 2. Memes are replicated, propagated, and transmitted through communication, brain to brain. 3. God (all enduring religious ideas and behaviors) are successful memes, propagated from person to person, generation to generation. Genetics and Religion - Religion is a human universal a sign that it has biological roots) - Twin studies suggest that spirituality is a heritable personality trait - The argument: spitituality may be part of our genetic structure; humans have a genetic predisposition for religious belief o God gene.