Evolutionary Psychology -- Why Do We Believe In God II ?

[PsychedelicSexDream]

This does not really apply to brutally enforced institutionalized religion organization just the basic mechanisms of forming beliefs. 

short answer :we are religious because its better to be religious(wrong) than dead.

I'm not paranoid... I just believe there is a being constantly watching and judging me , d'oh!

Modern religion specifically, systematically targets this trait for the purpose of power, wealth and control.

[xeniartius]

Humans believe in religions because humans don't want to die and wants to live eternally, which is most basic problem of the human-kind and the promise of nearly all Religions. What's surprising is that, according to religions, we need to practice some sort of actions to win this prize, but, then the things get starts to be controversial.

[cmpresents]

If this theory was true, at least 50% of all animals would be religious. But again what we have here is just another random theory of evolution.

[iviewthetube]

@cmpresents

Ha, ha, you might be on to something.

I've often wondered why whales and dolphines sometimes beach themselves, sometimes in masses.

Perhaps it is some sort of religious ritual.

[moonmilk15]

Good stuff, thanks for the video!

[npa992]

The great question in philosophy has finally been answered. It seems Immanuel Kant, William James, Soren Kierkegaard, etc. they were all of them wrong. Religion is simply an expression of paranoia. The ignorance of religion is clearly evident in this video.

A classic example of straw-man fallacy, coupled with ignorance and lack of philosophy (Pardon me if some of my statements are ad hominum) This video just was really infuriating in its assumptions about what religion is or is not.

[iviewthetube]

@npa992

I tend to think that paranoia is just one of several reasons as to why religions evolved. I could name at least another dozen contributing factors.

[Bionuker]

I think another interesting fact is this: animals tend to try random things, and when a reward is given, they will tend to repeat the behavior that may have caused the reward. Example: the rain dance. If an indian guy does the rain dance, and it rains a minute later, he will think the rain dance caused the rain (while in reality, it was coincidence). From that moment on, he will do the rain dance because he was rewarded in the past. Instead of rain dance, think about praying and pregnancy.

[eswyatt]

An equally important part, I think, is that we all have a theory of mind. Inferring a mind in others that has similar wants, dislikes and values enables us to cooperate with others, and to obtain the advantages of cooperation. Imagine if you had no idea other people needed food, or disliked pain! That belief system would practically kill any chances of cooperation. Is is but a short step from inferring a mind in others to inferring a mind in inanimate objects and nature.

[jordy1broadcast]

You are naive to think that one model can define all religion.

[br006DL]

@jordy1broadcast I was thinking pretty much the same thing.

[FIGHTFANNERD3]

it could be

[crowbs90]

you have a very deadpan voice, which makes it even funnier when you make jokes. But this video explain the theory very well, keep up the good work :)

[doctorw2]

no this is all wrong, maslows premise of self actualization is a much more valid premise than this even jungs archtype paradigm is a more feasible premise than EMT theory which is full of holes. people do not sacrifice their lives or alter them becuase of fear or paranoia there is something more within the human psyche that seeks to connect with something that is greater than the sum of its parts humans want to transcend and become part of something that gives life meaning and purpose.

[janbananajr2]

I think religion is part of the evolution of inteligence. Becuse it gave people who where god at explaining unexplainable things (priest shams etc) high status.

[iviewthetube]

@janbananajr2

Re: priests and shams.

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance then baffle them with BS.

[iviewthetube]

@janbananajr2

Ha, ha, and questioning high status "authority" could get you killed.

[luccaskunk]

sounds whatever gene causes humanity to be paranoid should be called the Pascal's Wager Gene

[gregsandyas2006]

Interesting, I faved it.

[intermender]

Another great vid, very instructive, thanks.

I wonder if this conveniently leads to 'theory of mind': that mind neccessarily evolved to infer the intentions of any human's greatest threat - other humans - which i guess would lead to a socialising by-product.

So will there be a positive corrolation between paranoia and society (if those were measurable in some way) in a given population? A society will tend towards greater safety regulations...

I think i evolved to speculate lol

[PeeGeeBeeDee]

I think you need to google this, "Machiavellian Intelligence."

[intermender]

why? (~_^)

[PeeGeeBeeDee]

Because you wanted to know if "mind neccessarily evolved to infer the intentions of any human's greatest threat - other humans - " and to some extent, yes it did.

[intermender]

Sorry i couldnt' resist, i was kinda being paranoid ;)

[intermender]

True.

[therealallpro]

yes! this video is like eating chocolate cake off the body of a beautiful women

[iviewthetube]

Ahem, I don't think I have ever had this sort of compliment on any of my videos. Thanks.

[FIGHTFANNERD3]

@therealallpro lol

[confusedimigrant]

nice video.

[iviewthetube]

Thanks Jamshiad. I thought this was an interesting article; but I tend to think that this is just one of several reasons as to why people tend to be religious.