Many people believe they do not need religion to lead a happy life, as atheism or religious indifference may seem like viable alternatives. Yet, the mere existence of religion might be surprising to some. If humanity evolved from apes, which neither had nor have any concept of religion, then where did this phenomenon originate?
Current Statistics
Let us begin with some statistics. According to data from the Pew Research Center, in 2015, 84% of the global population identified with a religious affiliation. The largest religious traditions were Christianity, representing 31.2% of the global population, and Islam, accounting for 24.1%. Following these were Hinduism (15.6%), Buddhism (6.9%), and various indigenous religions (5.7%).1
Interestingly, the third-largest group, after Christians and Muslims, comprises individuals who do not identify with any religion (16%). However, they constitute a majority only in certain regions of the world, particularly in China, where state atheism is practiced.
The secularization of Western countries has led many people to approach religion with a degree of skepticism, as reflected in statistics concerning Europe.2 Nonetheless, religion remains a phenomenon that must be taken seriously.
What is Religion?
Religion is typically defined as a system of beliefs concerning the existence of God or gods, the origin and purpose of human life, the creation of the world, and associated rituals, moral principles, and organizational structures.3 The term ‘religion’ itself is derived from Latin. According to Lactantius, the word religare means ‘to bind again,’ referring to the reconnection between humanity and God. In contrast, St. Augustine interpreted reeligare as ‘choosing God again4‘. In this way, religion serves to connect humanity to a higher reality.
The concept of ‘religion’ is closely associated with a range of other terms, such as faith, spirituality, doctrine, ritual, worship, temple, sacrifice, church, and symbol. Consequently, the question of the origin of religion also encompasses the origins of these related phenomena, particularly faith, spirituality, and the capacity to comprehend symbols. What led humans to begin practicing prayer or meditation, conducting rituals, and erecting temples?
The Evolutionary Theory of Religion
Atheists sometimes pose the question: ‘If God created the world, then who created God?’ To this, they often respond, ‘It was not God who created man, but man who created God’. This statement encapsulates the core idea behind the evolutionary theory of the origin of religion.
According to evolutionists, religion evolved alongside humans, though there is no consensus on the exact mechanism. Some suggest that religiosity provided an evolutionary advantage, while others argue that it emerged as an unintended byproduct of other traits that aided human survival. Additionally, several other theories have been proposed.5
Naturally, no animal species exhibits religious behavior, although some scientists have attempted to identify such behaviors in chimpanzees or elephants.6 Religious behavior has only been observed within the Homo sapiens species. However, no specific neurological or genetic mechanism responsible for the development of spirituality has been conclusively identified, despite ongoing efforts.7 As a result, the true origin of religion remains a mystery to scientists.
Humans as Spiritual and Religious Beings
However, this is less of a mystery for those who embrace faith. One only needs to consider the unique traits humans possess. Most notably, humans are self-aware beings. We not only possess consciousness but are also aware of our own consciousness. We understand that we exist, and this awareness alone grants us immense potential.
This self-awareness prompts us to ask profound questions about our existence, origins, and purpose. While science seeks to explain the origins of human consciousness, its scope is limited. Scientists attempt to trace consciousness to brain cells—neurons—but the problem is that within neurons themselves (in matter and energy), there are no inherent properties that can be said to ‘produce’ consciousness or the sense of self. Consciousness is an experience that transcends the physical properties of matter.8
From here, the transition to spirituality is a natural progression. When people seek answers to life’s deepest questions, they often turn their minds beyond the material world. This is why disciplines like philosophy, metaphysics, and spirituality have developed, with vast bodies of literature dedicated to exploring these themes. Religion serves as a formalized framework for spirituality, offering structured answers to humanity’s quest for meaning and understanding.
Religion and Its True Source
What accounts for the existence of these traits? It is unlikely that consciousness and spirituality could have emerged solely through the mechanisms of material evolution.9 The only possible answer is that these traits originate from a being who already possessed them and was capable of imparting them to us. It is widely accepted, by both evolutionists and creationists, that humanity has not existed eternally. Therefore, human spirituality and religiosity must have come from someone who has existed eternally, without a beginning. Believers recognize this being as God.10
Only a being far greater than humanity could have endowed us with a sense of existence, self-awareness, the ability to reason, the drive to explore life’s profound questions, and the capacity to develop science and build advanced tools. The Bible introduces us to such a God. In Genesis, it tells the story of how God created humanity and how we became estranged from Him. Religion, a human construct, is our attempt to fill this spiritual void. However, through the teachings of the Bible, we are offered the chance to reconnect with Him.
By the way, we recommend reading the articles:
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- Human Races: A Scientific Perspective
- Does the Bible Imply that the Earth is Flat?
Footnotes
- Hackett, C. and McLendon, D., 2017. Christians remain world’s largest religious group, but they are declining in Europe. Pew Research Center, 5 April. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05/christians-remain-worlds-largest-religious-group-but-they-are-declining-in-europe/.
- Ibid.
- PWN Polish Dictionary, Religia. Available at: https://sjp.pwn.pl/sjp/religia;2514825.html.
- Encyklopedia PWN, Religia. Available at: https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/religia;3966983.html.
- Vernon, M., 2019. The evolutionary origins of religion. Theos Think Tank, 19 August. Available at: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2019/08/19/where-did-religion-first-come-from.
- Harrod, J.B., 2011. A Trans-Species Definition of Religion. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 5(3), pp.327-353. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276914847_A_Trans-Species_Definition_of_Religion_2011.
- Association for Psychological Science, 2011. Why Do We Have Religion Anyway?. Association for Psychological Science, 9 November. Available at: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/were-only-human/why-do-we-have-religion-anyway.html.
- Varghese, R.A., 2007. The “New Atheism”: A Critical Appraisal of Dawkins, Dennett, Wolpert, Harris, and Stenger. In: A. Flew, There is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind. Appendix A. Harper Collins Publishers, pp.173-174.
- Ibid.
- Turpin, S., 2017. Religion: What Is It, Where Did It Come from and How Does the Bible View It?. Answers in Genesis, 3 May. Available at: https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/religion-what-where-how-does-bible-view-it/.
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