From: yergeau@leland.Stanford.EDU (Dan Yergeau)
Newsgroups: alt.atheism.moderated
Subject: Re: Why theism is widespread
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 92 18:17:32 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA

In article <1992Aug7.181110.5243@cis.ohio-state.edu>, ahles@cis.ohio-state.edu (mark ahles) writes:
|> This is my first post on this subject.  I am no expert on theology, but I do
|> have this thought on the subject.  Any opinions would be appreciated. 
|>  
|> Why is belief in God almost universal among societies (not individuals)?
|> I believe it must be either:
|>  
|>  -A benefit exists evoluutionarily for theistic societies.  This might be
|>  explained by 'working towards a common goal, self sacrificing, etc'.  But
|>  I know of NO successful socity that was atheistic.
|>                                   OR
|>  -God put a belief in God in man.

Other possible reasons (aside: why do peoply always only state 
two possiblities when there are many?)

 - Control of the society.  By binding all members to a common 
   goal, they are much easier to govern.  Much of the composition
   of religions came from the leaders (e.g. Moses) or was interpreted
   and propagated (perhaps selectively) by the leaders.
 - Explanation of the unknown.  Disease was certainly mysterious
   a few hundred years ago.  Now, we know the causes, and we can
   treat or cure a great number of diseases.
 - Need for hope, in the sense that the actions of the people could
   influence the gods to prevent natural disasters (e.g. drought)
   or bring a bountiful harvest.

|> In either case, I see no advantage to atheism.  It is bad for the individual
|> (if divinely inspired) and/or society (if an evolutionary advantage).

I see little advantage in a truly theistic society.  The "common
goal", when coupled with the feeling that the group is chosen or
is threatened by others not sharing their goal (beliefs), has and
continues to be the source of conflict between different
societies.  Also, in a theistic society, change is difficult. 
People who do not fit into the mold of the society are
chastised.  Many religions (especially western ones) have fought
scientific progress, jailing (or worse) people for pursuing the
truth.

You stated that you know of no successful society that was
atheist.  Well, I may be reaching here, but what about the
United States.  Granted, the US is largely Christian, but there
is no establishment of religion by the government.  People are
(relatively) free to believe as they wish, and, hence, do not
have the common theistic goal that you speak of as being
beneficial (necessary?) for the survival of a society.

I won't touch your second point "God put a belief...", as that
has been discussed to death  in a.a wrt the existance of (any) god.

You have not shown that theism for a society is clearly an
evolutionary advantage.  You started with the assumption that 
all facets of theism in a society are beneficial to the society.  
I have stated that theism can be a hinderence to progress, and 
can cause conflict between different societies.  I don't see 
either a theistic or an atheistic society as ideal, but I 
consider a society where progress is not hindered by spiritual 
limitations and where people are not chastised for being different 
to be the better society.  Please note that many of the freedoms 
you may take for granted as being a natural part of a theistic 
society are really freedoms that were long in being conceded by 
the religious establishment, and are products of changing public 
opinion, not changes that were inspired by a god (hence, are 
atheistic in nature).


-- 
Dan Yergeau                         He's dead Jim.  Take his phaser
yergeau@gloworm.Stanford.EDU        and I'll get his wallet.