A lot of been described in connection with religions in terms of rationality. Such arguments didn’t omit the perception of respective spiritual power. However, for people who are not biologically inclined to have spiritual experience (just like me), there needs to be added further argumentation. Also, religion vs. reality can be useful for people who are religious and cannot grasp reality.
This article aims to get atheists to know how is it to be religious and religious people who are overwhelmed by religion to show (if their deity leaves them at least 10 minutes of rational thought) how to escape it.
What do religious people feel?
The Islamic, Christian, Judaistic, and Buddhist cannot tell you how much they are in connection with their deity. They get goosebumps, are touched, emotionally overwhelmed, feeling every inch of it:
Mystical experiences: many individuals report experiencing moments of direct, personal contact with the divine or a higher power. These mystical experiences can include feelings of unity with the universe, intense peace, or a sense of being in the presence of something infinitely greater. Such experiences often defy ordinary explanations and can profoundly alter one’s perception of reality.
Ecstasy and bliss: spiritual ecstasy or bliss is a powerful emotional state. The individuals may feel overwhelming joy, love, and connection. This can occur during prayer, meditation, or worship and often involves a sense of transcendence beyond ordinary consciousness.
Divine presence: a common experience is the feeling of being touched or guided by a divine presence. This might manifest as a profound sense of being loved unconditionally or receiving guidance and reassurance in moments of need. Such experiences can lead to a deep sense of comfort and affirmation of one’s faith.
Revelation and insight
Transcendence: many report feelings of transcendence, where the boundaries of the self seem to dissolve, and they experience a sense of oneness with all of existence. This can be accompanied by a profound sense of awe and wonder, often described as encountering the sacred or the infinite.
Revelation and insight: some spiritual experiences involve receiving sudden insights or revelations that provide clarity on existential questions or personal dilemmas. These moments of insight can feel like profound truths or divine wisdom being imparted, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself or one’s place in the universe.
Inner peace and stillness: a profound sense of inner peace and stillness is often reported during deep meditation, prayer, or contemplative practices. this state of calm and centeredness can be accompanied by a sense of alignment with one’s spiritual beliefs and a release from worldly anxieties.
Emotional release and healing: spiritual practices can lead to emotional release, where individuals experience a cathartic release of pent-up emotions or traumas. This can result in feelings of emotional healing and renewal, often accompanied by a strengthened sense of spiritual connection.
Mystery and awe: encountering the mysterious aspects of existence or the divine can evoke a profound sense of awe and reverence. This can be triggered by natural beauty, religious rituals, or sacred texts, leading to an experience of wonder and humility.
Religion vs. reality: Before blindly adhered, where did it come from?
We are just animals. Highly immortal, yet even more intelligent. However, evolution equipped us with religiosity. Now, it isn’t real, it is something savanna-made.
We know it as evolutionary biology is a robust exact science that has its own branches: taxonomy, paleontology, ethology, population genetics, and ecology. Evolutionary psychology is a pseudoscience (though based on a rational core). It possesses many truths, even though we don’t know which are true. And we are evolutionarily programmed to be religious, but we don’t know if religion served a purpose for our ancestors or whether it is just a byproduct (we may bet on it, yet we have no certainty). Evolution is something extremely proven, so religion consequentially must be part of evolution.
A by-product?
Religion could be a byproduct of evolution is rooted in the understanding that certain cognitive and social traits, which were advantageous for human survival, may have inadvertently given rise to religious beliefs and practices. One such trait is our capacity for “Theory of Mind,” the ability to attribute thoughts, intentions, and emotions to others. This ability, essential for social interactions, may have extended beyond human relationships to the natural world This led early humans to perceive agency or intention in natural events, thus giving rise to the belief in spirits, gods, or other supernatural entities.
Similarly, early humans evolved to be highly sensitive to detecting agency as a survival mechanism. This heightened “agent detection” meant that they were likely to see intentional actions even where none existed. These were such as attributing a rustling bush to a predator rather than the wind. Over time, this tendency to attribute agency might have contributed to the development of religious ideas, where natural phenomena were explained as the actions of gods or spirits. Additionally, humans are naturally inclined to recognize patterns in their environment, a trait that was crucial for survival. However, this pattern recognition could have been over-applied, leading people to see connections or intentionality in random events, further reinforcing religious beliefs and rituals.
Confused because of social cohesion?
Religion may have also played a crucial role in social cohesion. In early human societies, religious beliefs and practices often promoted moral behaviors that enhanced group cooperation and solidarity. Groups that were more cohesive and cooperative likely had a survival advantage, as they could better defend against threats and work together in hunting and gathering. This social aspect of religion might have been a significant factor in its persistence. And it helped maintain group identity and unity, even if it sometimes led to conflict with other groups.
Culturally, religion can be seen as a product of evolution in the sense that religious ideas and practices have spread and evolved over time, similar to biological evolution. Religious beliefs that resonated with human psychology, such as the concept of an afterlife or divine justice, were more likely to be passed down through generations. These ideas, or “memes,” evolved and adapted. They became more complex and structured, ultimately forming the diverse religious systems we see today.
Fears and comfort
Religion also serves a psychological function, providing comfort in the face of existential fears such as death, uncertainty, and loss. Belief in a higher power or an afterlife can offer solace and reduce anxiety. This can be beneficial for mental health and well-being. This psychological comfort may have made religious beliefs more attractive and likely to be adopted by individuals, further ensuring their transmission across generations.
Finally, religions often provide a moral framework that encourages prosocial behavior and punishes antisocial actions. These moral codes likely helped regulate behavior in early human societies, making them more stable and cohesive. While religion may not have evolved directly as an adaptation, it can be understood as a byproduct of various cognitive and social traits that were advantageous for human survival. Over time, these traits solidified into complex religious systems, which continue to play a significant role in human societies today.
A suitable adaptation?
Religious beliefs and practices may have evolved because they provided specific survival and reproductive advantages to humans. From this perspective, religion is not merely a byproduct of other cognitive traits, but a crucial element that has directly contributed to human survival and social success. One way religion could have served as an adaptive trait is through its role in promoting social cohesion and cooperation. In early human societies, where survival depended heavily on group effort, religious beliefs and rituals likely played a significant role in binding individuals together, creating strong in-group solidarity. This collective identity fostered cooperation, mutual aid, and trust among members, which would have been essential in small, interdependent communities.
Moreover, religion often provides a shared moral framework that guides behavior. It encourages prosocial actions such as altruism, fairness, and empathy, while discouraging antisocial behaviors like theft, deceit, and violence. These moral codes, often reinforced by the belief in divine oversight or the promise of rewards and punishments in an afterlife, would have contributed to a more stable and orderly society.
In such an environment, individuals who adhered to religious norms and participated in communal rituals would have been more likely to be trusted and supported by others, enhancing their chances of survival and reproduction. Additionally, religion’s role in managing existential anxieties and providing psychological comfort could have had direct adaptive benefits. By offering explanations for life’s uncertainties, such as the reasons behind suffering or the mysteries of death, religion helps individuals cope with stress and anxiety, promoting mental resilience. This mental resilience, in turn, could have enhanced an individual’s ability to face challenges and dangers. This made them more likely to survive in harsh environments.
Religious rituals reinforce social bonds and cohesion
Religious rituals and practices also likely played a role in reinforcing social bonds and ensuring group cohesion. These rituals, whether they involve collective worship, rites of passage, or seasonal ceremonies, serve to reaffirm the shared values and beliefs of the group, reinforcing group identity and solidarity. Regular participation in such rituals would have strengthened social ties and created a sense of belonging and purpose. These were crucial for maintaining the cohesion and stability of the group. This cohesion would have been particularly important in times of crisis, such as during famines, wars, or natural disasters, where coordinated group action was essential for survival.
Evolution is about fitness
Furthermore, religion might have had evolutionary benefits by encouraging reproductive success. Many religions promote family values, sexual morality, and the importance of child-rearing, which can lead to more stable family structures and higher rates of offspring survival. By fostering a sense of community and mutual support, religion could have created an environment where they raised children successfully, ensuring the continuation of the group’s genetic lineage. The social networks established through religious communities would have provided additional resources and support for child-rearing, further enhancing reproductive success.
Religion’s ability to adapt to different environments and changing social conditions also suggests its role as a meaningful adaptation. Over time, religions have evolved and diversified, developing in ways that are responsive to the needs and challenges of different societies. This adaptability has allowed religious systems to persist and thrive across various cultures and historical periods, continually playing a central role in human life. In this way, we can see religion as an evolving system that has contributed to the survival and flourishing of human societies by promoting social cohesion, moral behavior, psychological resilience, and reproductive success. Rather than being a mere byproduct of other evolutionary traits, religion may have developed as a crucial adaptation that has helped humans navigate the complexities of social life and the challenges of existence.
Isn’t it contradicting the Theory of the Selfish Gene?
The selfish gene theory posits that the primary driver of evolution is the gene, which acts in its own interest to ensure its replication and survival. According to this view, behaviors and traits that evolve are those that maximize an individual’s genetic success. This often manifests as self-interested or seemingly selfish behavior that directly benefits the individual’s own survival and reproduction. Cooperation, altruism, and other social behaviors are explained as strategies that, at their core, enhance the propagation of one’s genes, either by directly benefiting the individual or by helping relatives who share similar genes.
On the other hand, the idea of religion as a meaningful adaptation suggests that religious beliefs and practices have evolved because they benefit groups or societies as a whole, rather than just the individual. Religion often promotes altruism, self-sacrifice, and behaviors that benefit the community, sometimes at the expense of the individual’s immediate self-interest. For example, religious doctrines may encourage people to help others, share resources, or even engage in acts of martyrdom – actions that could reduce an individual’s own reproductive success in the short term.
No, we got it the wrong way
This focus on group-level benefits seems to contradict the Selfish Gene theory. The theory typically does not account for traits that evolve primarily for the good of the group or society, unless those traits also benefit the individual or their close genetic relatives. If religion encourages behaviors that are costly to the individual and do not directly increase their genetic fitness, it raises questions about how such behaviors could have evolved if genes are inherently “selfish.”
However, proponents of the selfish gene theory might argue that religious behaviors can still be compatible with this framework. In case those behaviors indirectly benefit the individual’s genetic success. For example, individuals who participate in a religious community might gain social support, improve their status, or increase their chances of finding mates, thereby indirectly enhancing their reproductive success. Additionally, the cooperation and trust fostered by religious groups might create safer and more stable environments for raising offspring, which could benefit the individual’s genetic lineage in the long run.
Religion vs. reality: How come people cannot escape it?
The presence of a deity often provides a deep sense of security and protection. Emotionally, the thought of losing that connection can trigger fears of being abandoned or left alone in a vast, uncaring universe. This fear can be so powerful that it makes it nearly impossible to consider life without the deity’s presence.
People form strong emotional bonds with family, friends, or loved ones. They can develop a deep attachment to the deity they worship. This bond can be rooted in love, reverence, or a sense of belonging. This makes the deity’s presence feel indispensable to their emotional well-being.
For many, the presence of a deity is a source of immense comfort during difficult times. The idea of letting go of this presence can feel like losing a vital source of emotional support, which can be unbearable, especially during moments of crisis or vulnerability.
Individuals who feel a strong connection to a deity often internalize religious teachings about sin, morality, and spiritual obligations. The idea of distancing themselves from the deity might evoke intense feelings of guilt or shame as if they are betraying a sacred relationship or failing in their moral duties.
Even the act of doubting the presence of the deity can lead to feelings of shame. This particularly happens if one’s religious upbringing has emphasized unwavering faith. This shame can prevent them from even exploring alternative perspectives, keeping them emotionally tethered to the deity’s presence.
Ashamed because of family and surroundings
For many, their belief in a deity is closely tied to their sense of self. The deity’s presence can be central to their identity, shaping how they view themselves and their place in the world. Emotionally, letting go of this presence can feel like losing a core part of who they are. This can be terrifying and disorienting.
The deity often provides a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The emotional investment in this purpose can be so deep that the thought of life without it feels empty or meaningless. This emotional dependency makes it hard to imagine an existence where the deity isn’t constantly present.
The belief in a deity often connects individuals to a larger religious community. Emotionally, this community can be a source of support, acceptance, and belonging. The fear of losing this connection, and the emotional warmth it provides, can make it difficult to escape the overpresence of the deity.
Deity: Guilt, inadequacy and fear of failure
For those who struggle with feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or fear of failure, the deity often represents hope for redemption or forgiveness. This emotional hope can be a powerful motivator to maintain a strong connection to the deity. Even if the presence feels overwhelming.
Many people hold onto the belief in a deity because of the hope it offers for the future, whether that means eternal life, enlightenment, or some form of spiritual fulfillment. Emotionally, the loss of this hope can feel devastating, making it hard to imagine life without the deity’s presence.
The presence of a deity can help individuals cope with existential fears, particularly the fear of death. The comfort provided by the belief in an afterlife or divine plan can be so emotionally reassuring that the thought of losing it feels unbearable.
Life is full of uncertainties and challenges. And the presence of a deity often helps people make sense of these experiences. Emotionally, this presence provides a framework for understanding and coping with life’s difficulties. This makes it hard to let go of, even when it feels overwhelming.
For many, the presence of a deity is a constant source of emotional support, almost like an ever-present companion. This reliance can create a form of emotional dependency, where the person feels they cannot cope with life’s challenges without the deity’s guidance or comfort. The idea of losing this presence can provoke intense feelings of abandonment, similar to losing a trusted friend or caregiver.
The deity often becomes a coping mechanism for dealing with life’s stresses, losses, and uncertainties. Over time, this coping mechanism can become so ingrained that the person feels incapable of handling emotions or crises without invoking the deity’s presence. The fear of being emotionally unmoored without this support makes the thought of escape unbearable.
Moments of profound connection
The relationship with a deity can be deeply intimate, filled with personal prayers, rituals, and moments of profound connection. This intimacy can be emotionally fulfilling, providing a sense of being understood and loved in ways that human relationships sometimes cannot. The loss of this intimate connection can lead to feelings of deep loneliness and emotional emptiness.
Many people perceive their deity as offering unconditional love and acceptance, which can be a powerful emotional anchor. This perceived love is often seen as absolute and unwavering, something that human relationships rarely provide. The fear of losing this unconditional love can make it difficult to entertain thoughts of escape.
Guilt can act as a powerful emotional trap, especially in religious contexts where doubt or questioning might be viewed as sinful or wrong. People can feel emotionally trapped by the belief that turning away from the deity would make them unworthy or bad, leading to a cycle of self-reproach that keeps them tethered to the deity’s presence.
An escape? You will fear a lot
Some individuals experience moments of spiritual ecstasy or euphoria when they feel the presence of a deity. These transcendent experiences can be profoundly emotional and deeply satisfying. It creates a strong emotional attachment to the feeling of the deity’s presence. The desire to recapture or sustain these feelings can make it difficult to step away, as the person may fear losing access to these peak emotional states.
The experience of awe or wonder in the presence of a deity can be a powerful emotional experience. These feelings can evoke a sense of being part of something much larger than oneself. Both of them can be both humbling and exhilarating. The emotional impact of these experiences can make the idea of a life without the deity’s presence feel empty or devoid of meaning.
For many, emotions related to the deity’s presence are seen as sacred. Feelings of devotion, reverence, and awe are often sanctified within religious contexts, making them not just emotional experiences but holy ones. This sacralization of emotions creates an additional layer of difficulty in distancing oneself, as it feels like one would be desecrating something sacred by stepping away.
Emotional surrender
Emotional connections to a deity are often reinforced through sacred rituals and practices, which can evoke deep feelings of peace, connection, and fulfillment. The emotional attachment to these rituals, and the sense of holiness they bring, can make it seem impossible to imagine life without them, further entrenching the deity’s overpresence.
Some people emotionally resign themselves to the belief that the deity’s presence is inescapable and omnipresent. This resignation can be a defense mechanism to avoid the emotional turmoil. It might come with questioning or resisting the deity’s presence. The emotional acceptance of this inevitability creates a mental barrier that makes escape seem futile or even wrong.
In some cases, individuals emotionally surrender to the deity’s presence, seeing it as a necessary and unchangeable part of their lives. This surrender can bring a sense of peace and acceptance. But it also reinforces the feeling that they are unable or unwilling to live without the deity’s overpresence.
Emotional ties to a deity are often passed down through generations, with family members sharing stories, rituals, and experiences that reinforce the deity’s presence. These inherited emotional bonds can create a strong sense of continuity and identity. It makes it emotionally difficult to break away without feeling like one is betraying family or cultural heritage.
Religion as a generational plague
The emotional experiences and beliefs of previous generations can leave a legacy that feels too significant to abandon. The sense that one’s ancestors also felt the deity’s presence can create an emotional connection across time, further embedding the belief in the deity’s overpresence.
The overpresence of a deity can lead to inner conflict, where a person feels torn between their emotional attachment to the deity and any doubts or desires for independence. This emotional turmoil can create a sense of paralysis, where the person feels unable to move in any direction without experiencing intense emotional pain.
For many, the deity’s presence is a source of emotional stability, helping them navigate life’s ups and downs. The fear that letting go of this presence might lead to emotional chaos or instability can be overwhelming, making it feel safer to remain within the confines of the belief, even if it feels stifling or overbearing.
A non-exhaustive guide on how to get rid of it
The first step in reducing the overpresence of a deity is to recognize how pervasive this influence is in one’s life. For many, the deity’s presence is so deeply ingrained that it becomes difficult to distinguish where religious belief ends and personal identity begins. If thoughts about the deity, their will, or their teachings dominate your internal dialogue, or if you feel unable to cope with life’s challenges without invoking the deity for support or guidance, these may be signs of an overpresence that limits independent thinking. This presence often comes with a perceived sense of guilt or shame, especially when considering questioning the deity’s role or existence in your life.
Deconstructing this psychological attachment is crucial. The attachment to a deity is often emotional, built over years of religious practice and cultural reinforcement. Emotional resilience can be developed by finding alternative sources of comfort and support, such as relationships with others, engagement in fulfilling activities, or practices like mindfulness and meditation. A rational examination of the deity’s role in your life can begin to critically assess why you feel compelled to maintain this connection and what fears or anxieties arise when considering a life without this presence. This process involves disentangling your personal identity from your religious identity, and exploring who you are outside of the religious context—what are your passions, values, and beliefs independent of religious teachings?
Science and meaning of life
As you begin to reduce the deity’s overpresence, it’s crucial to replace this with a more reality-based understanding of the world. Engaging with scientific literature and philosophy helps develop a worldview grounded in evidence and rationality. Understanding the natural world through science can provide a sense of awe and wonder independent of religious explanations. Practices like mindfulness can help stay grounded in the present moment, reducing reliance on religious explanations for daily experiences. Seeking and cultivating alternative sources of meaning in life, such as engaging in creative activities, building strong personal relationships, pursuing knowledge, or contributing to your community, can help fill the void left by a diminishing religious presence.
Managing the emotional responses that come with letting go of a deity’s overpresence is another key aspect of this journey. Letting go often triggers strong emotional responses, including fear, guilt, and shame. These emotions are natural but can be managed through cognitive-behavioral techniques. They help challenge and reframe irrational thoughts associated with these feelings. Building a support network of like-minded individuals who are either secular or share your desire to explore life beyond religious confines can provide reassurance and reduce feelings of isolation. Gradual disengagement from religious practices and rituals that reinforce the deity’s presence, such as reducing participation in religious services or questioning religious teachings, can also help ease this transition.
Society and cultural pressure
Overcoming social and cultural pressures is another significant challenge. In many societies, religion is not just a personal belief but a cultural expectation. Setting boundaries with family, friends, and community members who may pressure you to maintain religious practices is essential. Learning to engage with your cultural heritage in a way that respects tradition without requiring religious adherence is also important. Creating new personal or family traditions that are meaningful. But not tied to religious beliefs can provide a sense of continuity and community without reinforcing the deity’s presence.
Finally, embracing personal autonomy and self-responsibility is crucial in reducing the deity’s overpresence. This means taking control of your life and decisions without relying on divine guidance. Accept that you are responsible for your own actions, choices, and consequences. This shift in perspective can be empowering, encouraging you to take ownership of your life. Developing a personal ethical framework based on reason, empathy, and the well-being of others, rather than religious commandments, allows you to live a morally sound life without relying on religious doctrines. Committing to lifelong learning and personal growth helps continuously refine your worldview. Thus, further reducing the influence of outdated or unexamined religious beliefs.
Psychology of religion
In addition to these strategies, it’s important to acknowledge the deep psychological roots of religious belief. The presence of a deity often provides a deep sense of security and protection, making it difficult to let go. This security is emotionally reinforced by the social and cultural environment that validates and celebrates religious beliefs. The fear of isolation, guilt, and the loss of meaning can be powerful deterrents to those considering stepping away from their faith. The deity’s presence often becomes intertwined with one’s sense of identity and purpose, creating a psychological barrier that makes the idea of living without this presence seem unthinkable.
However, by understanding that these fears and emotions are not insurmountable and that they stem from deeply ingrained social and psychological conditioning, individuals can begin to take steps toward a more autonomous and reality-based existence. This process is not about rejecting one’s past but about moving forward with clarity, purpose, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. By gradually disentangling religious influence and embracing a more rational perspective, individuals can find autonomy, meaning, and fulfillment in life without the need for constant divine intervention. This journey is deeply personal and requires a commitment to self-discovery. But it offers the promise of a life lived with greater freedom, authenticity, and connection to the reality of one’s existence.
Conclusion: religion vs. reality
In examining the overpresence of a deity in the lives of individuals, it becomes clear that this influence is deeply embedded in both personal psychology and cultural frameworks. The pervasive nature of religious belief often intertwines with a person’s identity, making it challenging to separate the self from the divine presence that has been a cornerstone of their existence. For those seeking to navigate a life where the deity’s presence is not overwhelming, the journey involves recognizing the extent of this influence. This is deconstructing the psychological attachments, and gradually shifting towards a reality-based understanding of the world.
The attachment to a deity is often fueled by emotional dependencies that have been reinforced through years of religious practice and cultural conditioning. Developing emotional resilience and seeking alternative sources of comfort and meaning are essential steps in this process. As individuals critically assess the role that the deity plays in their lives, they begin to disentangle their personal identity from religious constructs, exploring who they are outside of the confines of religious teachings. This transition is not just about rejecting the past. But it is about embracing a new perspective that is grounded in evidence, reason, and a deeper understanding of the world as it truly is.
The journey also involves managing the strong emotional responses that come with letting go of a deity’s overpresence. Fear, guilt, and shame are common reactions, but these emotions can be managed through cognitive-behavioral techniques and by building a support network of like-minded individuals. Gradual disengagement from religious practices and rituals that reinforce the deity’s presence can help ease this transition, allowing individuals to explore their beliefs and values in a more autonomous and rational way.
Meaningful life without deity
Overcoming social and cultural pressures is another significant challenge. In many societies, religion is deeply intertwined with cultural identity. This can be very difficult to step away without feeling a sense of betrayal or isolation. Setting boundaries and creating new personal or family traditions that are meaningful but not tied to religious beliefs can provide a sense of continuity and community without reinforcing the deity’s presence. Embracing personal autonomy and self-responsibility is crucial. Both of them empower individuals to take control of their lives and decisions without relying on divine guidance.
Ultimately, the process of reducing the overpresence of a deity is about finding autonomy, meaning, and fulfillment in life without the need for constant divine intervention. It requires a commitment to self-discovery, lifelong learning, and personal growth. By understanding that the fears and emotions associated with stepping away from religion are deeply ingrained but not insurmountable, individuals can move forward with clarity and purpose, leading a life that is grounded in reality and free from the constraints of outdated or unexamined beliefs. This journey is deeply personal, but it offers the promise of a life lived with greater freedom, authenticity, and a genuine connection to the reality of one’s existence.
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