What would you say is the root of all religion?

[Some Schmo]

RI asked how I thought people here might answer this question, so I thought, "Why guess? Let's just ask."

What would you say is the root of all religion?

[Dr. Shades]

The all-too-human need to explain the unknown.

[Res Ipsa]

The all-too-human need to explain the unknown.

I use more words than Shades, but I think it comes down to the same thing.

Here's what I think causes lots of evil, although I wouldn't claim it is either a necessary or sufficient cause for people doing evil things: the combination of hyper-individuality and free market mythology. Given the effect that each of us has on others -- including a great deal of effect that we are not conscious of giving or receiving, I think it's a fundamental mistake to view ourselves as being individuals completely distinct from others.

But I would classify that as simply a mistake in thinking that doesn't necessarily result in betterment or detriment. It is free market mythology -- the notion that each of us acting out of 100% selfishness magically results in the best of all possible worlds -- that generates evil results. And that selfishness includes using the power of groups to obtain selfish ends.

If only lawyers got paid by the word...

[Some Schmo]

The all-too-human need to explain the unknown.

And what does that need lead to? I mean, if we're explaining the unknown, doesn't that require us to make something up first (or repeat stories others have created)?

I think you're right. And existential angst is what gives some people that need. So for my own part, I suppose I'd say existential angst is the real root, at least for religious followers.

I suppose most of my criticism for religion is (or should be) directed at religious leaders. They are the real liars.

[Jersey Girl]

Quickie List

1. Human desire to find purpose
2. Human desire to figure out how "all this" came about (How did we get here? How did the natural world happen?)
3. Human sense that the power and interdependent relationships (including us) we see in nature refers to a higher power
4. Human wonder about what, if anything, happens to us when we die

This part is hard because where the above refers to belief, here comes the religion part. In no particular order.

5. A desire to gather with people with shared interests and belief
6. Living out the relationships we see described in religious texts with regard to to "church" and worship
7. So far as I am aware, the very root of religion was based on observation of nature starting with One God then changed over time due to human intellectual development to multiple gods that controlled their ability to sustain life--agriculture/worship/sacrifice related, then shifted over time to include variations of God concepts, forming of religious governments (councils) to make decisions on behalf of various groups of believers...etc. and etc.

I do think that items 1-4 (with the possible exception of 3) are human needs and/or desires that are common to humans, not just those who believe in a God. My evidence for that: the development of scientific thought. The second list, though not every item, is basically a study in sociology. Humans gather, establish governments...even young children do this.

[yellowstone123]

The all-too-human need to explain the unknown.

I believe Dr. Shades is correct.

But if do have information on what is unknown and others control the flow information then that presents an issue. For example, who is the character of Doctor Spock on the original Star Trek t.v. show based on? Some people might say that it is based on Doctor Benjamin Spock the renowned pediatrician.

I would say close but no cigar.

Doctor Spock is based on LAPD police chief William H. Parker. He enforced the law. Ask Gene Roddenberry.

I’ll take that cigar, thank you.

[Dr. Shades]

The all-too-human need to explain the unknown.

And what does that need lead to? I mean, if we're explaining the unknown, doesn't that require us to make something up first (or repeat stories others have created)?

Yes.

[ceeboo]

What would you say is the root of all religion?

Human beings - And that is the problem.

[Chap]

What would you say is the root of all religion?

Human beings - And that is the problem.

Oh yes, those human beings again. I think the worst sort may be the ones that say

"Hey! Yesterday <insert name of preferred deity> came and talked to me, and told me that I was his special messenger authorised to tell all the people what to do. So here's what you all have to do … and by the way, disobeying what I say is direct disobedience to <insert name of preferred deity>, and that will prove you are a very bad person who should be punished. Of course, if you say that <insert name of preferred deity> didn't really speak to me at all and I'm just making this stuff up, that is just as bad as saying that <insert name of preferred deity> is a liar. And that will prove that you are an even worse person."

I far prefer the kind who say:

"I've been thinking about what we ought to do about that problem we have, and there's an idea I'd like to discuss with you to see what you think of it. Of course, if you have a better idea I'd really love to hear it, and we can talk about that too. I mean, nobody is infallible, let alone me!"

... and leave the deities out of it entirely.

Of course, you probably don't agree with me on this point.

[Moksha]

After viewing how priests were making a living hawking their wares, prostitutes sought to get in on the act and hence they became the world's second-oldest profession.