It is not uncommon that people wonder whether there is a connection between religion and biology and whenever they inquire, they will oftentimes be directed to books or studies concerning this connection. Some of these books might tell you that religion is an antiquated practice, simply invented to explain phenomenons that could not otherwise be explained, others might suggest that religion is a invention for the controlling of society.
Then again, some might tell you that religion does have a place in a modern world, and that it even offers some benefits like ease of mind, increased happiness, and better self esteem.
However, to my dismay it is often the first books that are presented, and there seems to me to be an increasing agenda of atheism being pushed upon those who display an interest in questions of religion, biology and general attitudes of life. Is religion really directly opposed to biology? To science?
In this series of posts, I will be touching upon a lot of things regarding the relationship between religion and biology, but my main concerned is providing a perspective that shows a connection between religion and biology. On the very basic level I want to show you how early christianity can be understood in terms of biological niche construction, and on a more abstract level I wish to suggest a more broadly humane role that religion may have played and may still play.
This may seem like a big mouthful, but I aim to keep the analysis closely linked to the narratives of the Bible, and throughout I will depart from quotes of the Bible (primarily the New Testament, but also passages from the Old Testament, both of these in the King James version of the Bible) to underpin and center my argument.
The next parts of the series will be dedicated to a brief summary of jewish history, as well as a sort of ‘painting the scene’ of the environment in which the cult of Christ rose to prominence. The summary will include both a mythological summary - a explication of the symbolic universe of jewish faith, as well as a brief historical account.
For the closing remarks I would like to say; feel free to ask about anything in the comments, and let me know if you would like to know a little more about me, as I am wondering whether to write an introductory post.
I would appreciate any feedback on the form and content, since I am still trying to get the formula quite right.
It would also enable me to fit your suggestions in to the posts to come.