The Science of Belief

Okay, so maybe today won't be so driven by facts and statistics. Today's post will be a musing on religion. With perhaps a few stats plugged in where relevant. I'm not entirely sure which way this post is going to go. It might just turn out like a regular blog post. I shall do my best to prevent that from happening, but I guarantee nothing.


Please note, the above chart is based solely on a sociological data.

Religion is a major part of modern society. From it we derive our value system, ethics, a model of how to live, and the hope of something more. Values? Ethics? We know what those are, right? Values help us determine what is right and wrong, while ethics help us determine how to live by our vales. Religious leaders provide examples of how we should live our lives as good people and good citizens. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, religion generally provides the hope of an afterlife, a promise that death is not an end.

But in some ways, religion is a social convention. It was "invented" by humans as a way to control the population, keep them in check, and, in some societies, to justify the amount of power held by certain individuals. By now, every rabid believer is probably slavering to get at me right now. How dare I call religion an invention! I do and I can. And at the same time, I can still have a strong faith. I have some points to make on the matter.

First of all, Hinduism is a religion based on castes. There are four of them: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. The Brahmin and Kshatriya, priests and leaders respectively, were the highest classes in Hindu society. But there are two things here that I must point out. One of the Hindu creation myths states that the Brahmin came from the mouth of Purusha, the first man. That automatically sets them up as the leaders of society, giving them the most power. Whether this was so justify the Aryan power in India or simply a religious convention, it matters not. The religion puts a certain group above others in society, a direct contrast to a religion like Buddhism, which has no caste system.

Okay, Hinduism is just one religion. That doesn't mean all the others are like that. Well, allow me to reference an old religion, that of the Celts. Collectively, they worshiped nature deities and they had a priestly class. That class held the power in Celtic society, talking to the spirits and leading the people. What did the invading Romans do? They killed off all the priests, in order to break their hold. How about another example; the Egyptians. They believed their rulers were not just descended of the gods, but living gods in their own right. That belief gave them the right, the divine right, to rule. What about something a little more modern? For centuries, European rulers believed that God granted them the right to the monarchy.

So, then, with divinely backed rulers in place, what now? Well, the Mesopotamians had an interesting relationship with the gods in their pantheon. They believed that if an individual messed up, the entire society would be punished for that person's mistake. Their kings were depicted being given the law by the chief god, Shamash (Hammurabi being the prime example in this case). Here, religion is used to make the people fearful enough to follow the law. Because if they didn't, everyone would be punished.

To quit referencing ancient religions, the same applies today. Jews, Christians, and Muslims have laws they must follow. For Jews, not only do the Ten Commandments apply, but the laws in Leviticus as well. For Christians, there are the Ten Commandments and directions from the popes and other past leaders. For Muslims, they have the Qu'ran and the precepts of Muhammad and the other caliphs.

You may not agree with me or you may. I have presented what evidence I could. Just remember, I am not bashing religion. It is a good thing in that can help people lead better lives and gives them hope. Hindus and Buddhists believe they will eventually escape the cycle of samsara. Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in a heaven, where they will see God and meet the saints and holy people. Zoroastrians believe they will cross a bridge at death and if they are true, they will reach a good afterlife. People see these promises and strive for them.

Do you have any thoughts on the matter? Please feel free to discuss what I have written.