Natural Spiritual Tendencies:How the Human is Biologically Programmed to Believe

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KresslPsychology 101Professor AranoffDecember 25, 2008Natural Spiritual Tendencies It is known that genome accounts for much, if not most, of all the physical, emotional, and psychological characteristics found in humans; humans’ musical abilities, high intelligence, bipedal form, and advanced language skills, to name a few. However, as discoveries keep on being discovered, researchers present a new (and quite daring) addition to the influences of the genome-a religious affinity.

A genetic predisposition to hold religious ideas would explain a lot. It was always a wonder how in every single culture throughout the ages, humans have always drifted towards a belief in religion. Even, as displayed in the archaeological record, spiritual rites, such as convoluted burial procedures, were common in the Paleolithic and probably also in the Neanderthals (Trinkhaus & Shipman 1993). If there were, however, some human biological tendency to believe in the spiritual dimension, then that phenomenon would not be a wonder, but something only natural.

The mentioned spiritual beliefs would only refer to some general beliefs. While there are too many different religious sects to count, they all have the same foundation. They all are based on one set of basic points and then each specific sect will then expand on them in their own way. So while Hinduism might seem nothing like Scientology and Judaism nothing like Mormonism, a closer look would show otherwise.

These foundational beliefs would include representations of non-physical agents such as ghosts, ghouls, angles, witches, spirits, and of course, gods. This would then mean that each religion would have this, but Judaism would specifically have an angelNatural Spiritual Tendencies 3named Gabriel, and the Egyptians would specifically have a sun that was a god. Another belief shared by all religions is ritual practices meant to call upon those non-physical agents. All religions will incorporate this, but Judaism...