Religion, Why has it lasted so long? Nature VS Nurture.

What needs do mythology and religion serve in today's world and in ancient times? Here we discuss the relationship between mythology, religion and science from mythological, religious and philosophical viewpoints.

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Nature vs Nurture is it real, and can it be deduced properly?

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SMacArthur
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Religion, Why has it lasted so long? Nature VS Nurture.

Post by SMacArthur »

Why has religion lasted so long? After much studying I believe there are two MAIN reasons for religion 1. A Higher Power (Obviously right?) and 2. Morality. Lets look at the etymology for religion as stated in http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=religion

Etymology for the word Religion

...According to Cicero derived from relegere "go through again" (in reading or in thought), from re- "again" (see re-) + legere "read" (see lecture (n.)). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and the interpretation of many modern writers connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." In that case, the re- would be intensive. Another possible origin is religiens "careful..."

Society keeps religion because we NEED a sense of morality. We have been taught for as long as we can remember that religion is our basis for such things. Which brings us to the question if there is no higher power then how has this "myth" lasted for so long and where did it begin? The definition for Myth, according to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myth

Full Definition of MYTH

1
a : a usually traditional story of ostensibly [apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually] historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon
b : parable, allegory
2
a : a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone; especially : one embodying the ideals and institutions of a society or segment of society <seduced>
b : an unfounded or false notion
3
: a person or thing having only an imaginary or unverifiable existence....

So why then do we associate the word legend

Definition of Legend according to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictiona ... 1380620374

Full Definition of LEGEND

1
a : a story coming down from the past; especially : one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable
.........
c : an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart

And what words do we associate with Legend? Key, Guide, Scale, and Table.
Is it fair to say that religion then is considered a guide to life? As such society needs it to function. With that being said does that mean even if you were raised in a non religious household you have been imbued with religion? If so, then are you truly Atheist as you may claim? And doesn't that make the Nature vs Nurture Idealism faulty, then? Religion has been dated back to as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion
says:

223,000 – 100,000 BCE
The earliest evidence of Hominids, such as Neanderthals[2][3] and even Homo heidelbergensis,[3][4] deliberately disposing of deceased individuals usually in funerary caches. The graves, located throughout Eurasia (e.g. the Pontnewydd Cave, Atapuerca Mountains, Qafzeh, Es Skhul, Krapina),[3] are believed to represent the beginnings of ceremonial rites, although there is some debate about this.

Interesting, even though there was no written record there was right and wrong. Would you not agree? As http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial says:

Intentional burial, particularly with grave goods, may be one of the earliest detectable forms of religious practice since, as Philip Lieberman suggests, it may signify a "concern for the dead that transcends daily life."[1] Though disputed, evidence suggests that the Neanderthals were the first human species to intentionally bury the dead, doing so in shallow graves along with stone tools and animal bones.

So why did it last this long???? Because of right and wrong, or more? What started religion if it isn't real? There has to be some truth to it! Would that mean that there has to be some truth to Supernatural beings? In laymen's terms Vampires, Men who turn in to animals, people who can shift emotions, people with "un-natural" abilities.

Curious as to who else has thought of this and other provoking thoughts. Also if you need clarification let me know it took all night to write this.

Roncooper
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Post by Roncooper »

IMHO religion continues because people have religious experiences.

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