God`s Loyal Opposition: An Evolutionary Perspective on Theism and Atheism

Atheism is the new punk, spreading quickly among young (Kosmin et al., 2009), skilled professionals (Sherkat, 2008), particularly in rich, industrialized democracies (Norris & Ingelhart, 2004). With its rise comes an inevitable conflict, not with theism per se, but with religious fundamentalism whose philosophical positions on epistemology, morality, purpose, human nature, and reality itself are incompatible with a modern, multicultural society.

In this theoretical contribution, I explore the psychological and anthropological basis of religious belief, and the mechanisms through which it impacts behaviour. Previous research has shown that religious belief, particularly fundamentalist belief, has a dual effect on human behaviour (Blogowska, Saroglou, & Lambert, 2013; Bushman et al., 2007). It can simultaneously promote altruistic actions towards unconnected individuals, as well as inspire wars of attrition. Significantly, while religious people are often the most generous (Brooks, 2006), religious belief is connected to lower overall societal health (Zuckerman, 2008).

I argue that the reason for this duality is religion’s psychological reliance on monitoring and assurance, rather than trust and secular institutions. Such monitoring and assurance can only work in tightknit, interdependent groups who can share and enforce a shared cultural narrative which is not challenged. Thus, religious fundamentalism necessarily promotes parochial thinking (Blogowska & Saroglou, 2012). It is precisely this characteristic which makes it such a danger to modern societies. I end by suggesting several lines of research and activism which might help bridge the gap between believers and the loyal opposition.