Religion | Riccardo Barbieri

The origin of religions

inspired by and commented on: http://connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/21/connector-of-the-day-ric...

The concept of god(s) was invented (yes, invented!) in times that people had no education, no culture and did not know anything about nature or science. Information was scarce and communication almost null. Most of humanity was poor, hungry, sick and afraid of everything.
They NEEDED to believe in someone "up there" who would keep an eye on them.  And they NEEDED to have the ilusion there could be a better life in stead (after) the life they had. They NEEDED to believe in miracles and would accept any kind of promise even if the arguments were weak and the facts not verifyable.

Is there anything easier to promise than a better life after this one by decision of an unidentifiable (anonymous, virtual) leader? The ultimate promises that can never be either denied or confirmed.... In times of need, people will grab on to anything to give them HOPE. They prefer to believe the miraculous promise rather than to verify it's facts.

Religions are not really a believe, they're not a faith, they actually are a hope. A desperate hope for something better. Inherited from old and dark times, but grown powerful and still deeply rooted in society.

After the renaissance (Florence, Italy - 14th century) followed by the age of enlightment (Europe - 17th century) and specially the industrial revolution (UK - 18/19th century), the impact and influence of religions on societey are clearly starting to diminish (in some regions more than in ohters). Why?

Most people and the society as a whole have more education, more information, more knowledge and more communication than ever before. Most people do not suffer from cold, darkness, hunger and disease anymore. In other words they are not miserable anymore. Obviously this goes basicly for the developed and democratic countries that (suposedly) follow the Universal declaration of Human Rights, not the third world (I'm not into politically correct (= mostly hypocrite) definitions) or countries with a totalitarian regime (either or not with a religious background).

The more man started to understand about climate, his surrounding world and science, and the more information was spread (invention of print in 1440) and shared instead of being monopolized by the church, the less convincing became the easy promise of a better life after death and the more questions arose regarding the anonymous leader. 

O, just found the same arguments being expressed better by someone who calls himself George III

September 22nd, 2009 808 GMT Religion was born in the infancy of our species, when we were so afraid of the dark that we wished there was a Supreme Being, a God, who could hear our plaintive cries and help us out. But Science and Reason have now given us a deeper understanding of the universe. As we grow old we must get rid of childish things. And religion is one of those things we should have outgrown by now. Sadly, most people cling on to it like a crutch, even though they can perfectly walk on their own two feet. I admire Dawkins for his eloquence in expounding the wonders of evolution. He may come across as shrill and strident to many of his critics, but I would rather hear him speak the truth about life than any two-bit evangelical preacher, priest, rabbi, or mullah.