Faith in God and ghosts generates an error in the mechanism of thought

In the event of this belief blame cave lyudi



The modern method of studying religious ideas and behavior binds their ubiquity and the similarity of our beliefs from the mental processes of human adaptation to survival in prehistoric times. It relies on some features of human psychology.

First, when there is an event, we believe that it was the cause of a living being. In other words, we assume some force behind this event. The rustle of the bush or the sound of breaking branches can be caused by wind, but much better for the survival of the lion to take it and run.

Survivors easily attributed to the events of unknown strength and pass on their genes through generations, more and more developing brain's ability to jump to conclusions.

The second feature of our psyche is that an understanding of other people's behavior requires you to understand and strange thoughts and beliefs. This idea implies that we automatically assume the existence of any reasons or other conduct of others, we are trying to find out to better understand why others behave this way.

As it is related to the belief in the gods? Imagine the eruption of the volcano. Having no knowledge of geology, our ancestors attributed the act to a certain essence - but definitely had an uncanny ability. And why he had to arrange this destruction? Perhaps the eruption - the punishment because the tribe did not fulfill the desire of the creature.

This simple example should help illustrate the complex work mechanisms that lead to belief in gods, as well as the ghosts and other supernatural creatures.

Combining these ideas together, we can explain the existence of religious ideas and behavior. You can even go further and suggest that if these ideas are correct, it is a religion - it is simply a by-product of the human mind mistakes.

via factroom.ru