Among most scholars in the thriving field of evolutionary studies on religion, findings of burials are perceived as the first strong indicators of phenotypes evolving religiosity - that is: behavior towards supernatural agents (as ancestors, spirits or gods). Interestingly, these peculiar behaviors evolved not only in Homo sapiens, but also in Homo neanderthalensis.

 (More)

Geschrieben in General Comments: (24). Trackbacks: (2). Permalink

Among the most widespread prejudices against modern evolutionary theory is the notion that selection would favour strong, mean, selfish phenotypes. As I had the joy to lecture last week at the invitation of the evolutionary biologists at Tübingen University around Prof. Nico Michiels, I met a bunch of bright and open-minded people open to interdisciplinary dialogue and the public. Among other things, they had produced a creative song and clip for use in Web 2.0 in order to counter prejudices against evolution. See for yourself! (More)

Geschrieben in General Comments: (1). Trackbacks: (4). Permalink

Ever heard this call? Christian theologian and itinerant preacher Michael Dowd and his wife, evolutionary biologist Connie Barlow, are espousing exactly that across religious and secular institutions in the US. And Dowd's respective book, endorsed by renowned voices from religions and sciences including some nobel prize winners, turns out to be a successful story. (More)

Geschrieben in General Comments: (5). Trackbacks: (6). Permalink

Many religious traditions evolved techniques of chanting specific texts, which sometimes induced religious experiences and trances. Although Christianity and Islam had evolved their own forms (i.e. Catholic rosary prayer or Sufi dhikr, often accompanied by the use of prayer beads), Hindu chantings of "Hare Krishna. Krishna Krishna. Hare Rama. Rama Rama." became a huge success in the 60s and 70s among young seekers in Western countries.  (More)

Geschrieben in General Comments: (4). Trackbacks: (1). Permalink

Of course, we don't have specific Genes inheriting the specific musics of Jazz and Beethoven or the languages of French and Chinese. But there is no scientific doubt that we have the genetically heritable traits of musicality and the abilities to speak - which then have to be acquired and formed into concrete, cultural forms in order to confer their benefits. And the same is true of religiosity and religions... (More)

Geschrieben in General Comments: (16). Trackbacks: (4). Permalink

In the sad and ongoing "Culture Wars" between religious and secular worldviews, extreme proponents of religions and atheisms are misusing science, especially distorting evolutionary studies - instead of using them to better understand each other. (More)

Geschrieben in General Comment: (0). Trackbacks: (0). Permalink