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Het Geloofsinstinct: Het Succes Van Religie (2000)

by Nicholas Wade(Favorite Author)

3.5 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

9025434649 (ISBN13: 9789025434649)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

review 1: I think I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Much to chew on. The author's thesis is that religion has evolved as humans have evolved, and that essentially religion has helped to ensure the survival of societies through regulating reproduction, inspiring warriors to defend territory, creating social cohesion, etc. The author states at the beginning that the book can be offensive to both atheists and believers, though it is intended to offend neither. Atheists might be offended because Wade claims that there are social benefits inherit in religion. Believers might be offended because Wade examines how religion might have evolved, excluding divine sources (he discusses how perhaps dreams might have led to trances and communal dancing and music, to more modern ... moreforms of religious belief/worship). So, it leaves me with the question: Do people choose religion because we've evolved along with our religion? Is religion a NEED, and if so, how do atheists/agnostics satisfy that need? Genuinely curious.
review 2: A fascinating exposition of a theory sure to stir controversy. Nicholas Wade carefully and convincingly puts forth the hypothesis that religion, far from being a delusion, or "mental illness" as Dawkins claims, is actually an evolutionary adaptation that selects at the group level. Wade argues that the ubiquitousness of religion, which must pre-date all civilization and perhaps language, could only have survived the crucible of Darwin if it conferred some advantage to the ancestors of human beings.While the theory of group level evolutionary selection is not yet widely accepted, within the constraints of Wade's argument, his hypothesis is sound. Wade shows how ancestral mankind would have required some sort of social cohesion mechanism to have survived the rigours of pre-historic Earth. He further argues that religion, or that the least religiosity, would have provided not only the means to bind small social groups together, but could project that cohesion outwards into societal and cultural growth.In support of his argument Wade discusses several aspects of religion and evolution that will be of great interest. The history of the world's great religions (particularly the monotheisms), the evolutionary pressures that would have given rise to a mechanism of social cohesion and law, the physiology and psychology of humans and current trends in both religion and secular society provide sufficient evidence for his theory. There is a wealth of information here, of interest to even those readers who would reject Wade's hypothesis.Furthermore, Wade is careful not to "pick sides" in the controversy of whether religion is necessary for sustained human society, but rather points out how religion can provide a much more law abiding and stable culture. Wade places careful emphasis that modern secular states have replaced many of the functions that religion would have provided early, prehistoric and historic man. Of particular interest is the argument, touched only briefly, that because religion is an evolutionary adaptation it is a part of our consciousness and physiology and so cannot ever truly go extinct. This last argument fits nicely with my own theory of "secular" religion wherein the religious impulse of the individual finds catharsis in group activities such as raves, music concerts and "Burning Man" type of festivals.This book is a must read for all students of religion (and perhaps theology) and represents some of the newest thinking in the field of comparative religion. The non-specialist will also find much of interest here and Wade is careful not to become too academic in his writing. If you have any interest in religion, its impact on mankind's evolution and history and the future of religion in an increasingly secular world, this book is an excellent choice. less

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