Why Gods Persist

From a point of logic, basic beliefs of most religions are counter to much of everyday understanding. Obvious examples of this are the Virgin Birth, Resurrection and Ascension of Christianity. Yet religion is an important part of the lives of many people. Although there is diversity between religious groups, there is a surprising amount of similarity of belief or ritual practice. This seems to be attributed to consistencies in the relation between human psychological characteristics and experiences. Therefore cultural beliefs and practices, which includes religious beliefs, have their origins in the psychological propensities of individuals. There is comfort in feeling that you belong. For this reason, to some people religion has primarily social, emotional or in some cases even political motivation. Cults, including religious ones, take advantage of this by demanding adherence to their doctrine, no matter how absurd some, or all, of it may be.

Hinde emphasises that religious systems involve a number of interrelated parts, with belief in dogma just one of these, and so he looks beyond the inconsistencies between religion and common knowledge of the world. He explores three questions: (1) How far do the several aspects of religious systems depend on cross-cultural human psychological characteristics? (2) How can we account for the persistence of religions? and (3) If religious systems have some beneficial consequences, how can these be retained while literal interpretations of their basic beliefs are unacceptable? A very thought provoking book that is worth a read, especially if you did not do so the first time around (it was originally published in 1999).