The Evolution of Religion Essay -- Philosophy Religion Essays

The Evolution of ReligionNear the closing curtain of his novel, Darwins Dangerous Idea, Daniel Dennett questions religion and contends that it was an evolutionary process to keep cosmos entertained. He says they religions pass kept valet Sapiens civilized enough, for long enough, for us to defy learned how to reflect more systematically and accurately on our position of the universe(519). Dennetts position is a controversial one, and it is difficult to argue because it is such an digest subject. Religion is associated with free will, and has been part of humans for thousands of years. Is religion as we know it useless now, have we arrived at the point in evolution where it is no seven-day necessary?Dennett n eer completely dismisses current religion, but he does not support its perpetuation either. Dennetts count of religion is as function, something that humans need, like apposable thumbs. He claims that religion has become merely about the actions, and that soon they will di e out and kick the bucket in museums and zoos. Dennett elaborates this thought, what,then, of all the glories of our religious traditions? They should certainly be preserved, as should the languages, the art, the costumes the rituals, the monuments(519). Is this right? Should only the material aspects be saved? Have they served their only purpose. Dennett seems to say that humans no longer need religions, and that since they have existed for so long they are no longer needed, it is their time for extinction. Will religions disappear leaving only the materials and traditions as Dennett seems to suggest they will, or will they evolve, and change to envision our modern world.In Karen Armstrongs History of God she says for 4,000 years it the idea of God has cons... ...sappeared, but they became infused into other religions. The ancient classic religion became infused into Christianity, and the Sumerian religion was an influence for the writers of the aging testament (http//www.compa rative-religion.com/ancient/). In that sense the ancient religions continue to exist, they have merely taken a different form.Will the modern religions of today company a path decreed by Dennett and Armstrong and disappear, or will they merely become influences in the next wave of religion? The major religions today have been in existence for thousands of years, but that does not mean that they will not evolve. As people and husbandry change, so will the worlds religions. People will forever have faith, and humans have not achieved a point in evolution where religion is no longer needed, and it is highly unlikely that it will ever reach that point. The Evolution of Religion Essay -- Philosophy Religion EssaysThe Evolution of ReligionNear the end of his novel, Darwins Dangerous Idea, Daniel Dennett questions religion and contends that it was an evolutionary process to keep humans entertained. He says they religions have kept Homo Sapiens civilized enough, for lon g enough, for us to have learned how to reflect more systematically and accurately on our position of the universe(519). Dennetts position is a controversial one, and it is difficult to argue because it is such an abstract subject. Religion is associated with free will, and has been part of humans for thousands of years. Is religion as we know it useless now, have we arrived at the point in evolution where it is no longer necessary?Dennett never completely dismisses current religion, but he does not support its perpetuation either. Dennetts view of religion is as function, something that humans need, like opposable thumbs. He claims that religion has become merely about the actions, and that soon they will die out and belong in museums and zoos. Dennett elaborates this thought, what,then, of all the glories of our religious traditions? They should certainly be preserved, as should the languages, the art, the costumes the rituals, the monuments(519). Is this right? Should only the ma terial aspects be saved? Have they served their only purpose. Dennett seems to say that humans no longer need religions, and that since they have existed for so long they are no longer needed, it is their time for extinction. Will religions disappear leaving only the materials and traditions as Dennett seems to suggest they will, or will they evolve, and change to meet our modern world.In Karen Armstrongs History of God she says for 4,000 years it the idea of God has cons... ...sappeared, but they became infused into other religions. The ancient Hellenistic religion became infused into Christianity, and the Sumerian religion was an influence for the writers of the old testament (http//www.comparative-religion.com/ancient/). In that sense the ancient religions continue to exist, they have merely taken a different form.Will the modern religions of today follow a path decreed by Dennett and Armstrong and disappear, or will they merely become influences in the next wave of religion? Th e major religions today have been in existence for thousands of years, but that does not mean that they will not evolve. As people and culture change, so will the worlds religions. People will always have faith, and humans have not achieved a point in evolution where religion is no longer needed, and it is highly unlikely that it will ever reach that point.