Evolution Of Religions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Evolution Of Religions - Research Paper Example Darwin argued that since variability and natural selection were the key reasons behind organisms’ adaptive changes, they could apply this concept in sociological, cultural and religious transformations (Dow, 69). Numerous theories also serve to explain the nature of religious behaviors, and the reason behind the existence of diverse religious beliefs. Experts deem man to be a religious animal, owing to his desire to explain various natural phenomena and his fears of the mysterious natural and spiritual ideas. Besides, religious beliefs are deemed critical owing to a number of benefits (Dow, 69). For instance, various religions are critical in promoting a healthy lifestyle, in both mental and physical aspects. Additionally, religion serves to promote altruistic cooperation among individuals within denominational in-groups. The evolution of religion leads to the inquiry of the origin of various religious beliefs that transformed into modern religions (Matthews 219). The emergence of such practices as the magic and divination within Europe in the 19th century were deemed as remnants of the religion evolution, similar to the vestigial organs in evolving organisms (Matthews 221). Additionally, the cultural change civilization shifts served critically to explain the concept of religious evolution. However, Durkheim highlighted a critical aspect that elucidated the inexistence of religious evolution, through the explanation that such practices were ever-present. Durkheim explains that such origins were the transformation of religious beliefs from the non-civilized ideas to more civilized ones (Matthews 221). In another perspective, critics may argue that, during the evolution of man in the ancient times, man developed the communication capability (Sosis 319). This was significant in capacitating humans to share their feelings by means of syntactic communication his inner forms with his peers. Man’s