Asking what happens to us after we die and our purpose in life is a secondary function of religion, not its original purpose. — A common explanation for the origin and purpose of religion is that it provides answers to people’s questions and concerns. What is our purpose in life? Why do we die, and what happens to us after we do? How was fire stolen from the gods and given to humans? …

Where she talks about some planet-level environmental effects on evolution, then does a deep dive into human evolution, especially the brain. — In the first installment of my interview with drunk Evolution, she and I talked about her role in the development of life forms on Earth. She swung between admiration for her work, and then denied responsibility for it. She said that she just rolled the genetic dice but didn’t control…

I arranged for an interview with Evolution to get some background from the source, but when I showed up, she was drunk. I didn’t expect that. — MD: Are you drunk? Evolution: Hey, I’m fucking Evolution. I’ll get fucked up if I want to. Want a tipple? MD: No thanks. Are you trying to emulate the TV show, Drunk History? Evolution: Sure, if you want. It’s great stuff, quality entertainment. But no, think platypus. I came up…

And if it’s metaphor, does that make it true? — In his Medium article, Is the Genesis Creation myth credible in any way?, David Gamble makes the case that the Book of Genesis has no scientific credibility. That’s like shooting fish in a barrel. …

Depends how you define language, and if you think humans were the first animals to have it. — In her Medium article What Was Important Enough For Language to Form?, Katrina Paulson asks why humans developed complex language? …

Not all beliefs are religious, so what is it about belief that impacts health outcomes? In my last two articles I described how religious rituals and certainty of belief are the specific aspects, sometimes derived from religion, that result in better health and well-being. …

But is it the religious part, the ritual part or something else? — In my series on the relationship between religion and health, I explored which aspects of religion are responsible for its possible health benefits. Recent studies have found that religion, per se, isn’t the feature that promotes health. Rather, it’s strength or certainty of beliefs, which transcends religion since people have…

Placebo effect is one reason beliefs, religious and otherwise, improve health. — For several decades studies have purportedly shown that religiousness enhances health. The studies that purport this have various methodological shortcomings, one of which is that there are so many ways to define and describe religion that it’s extremely difficult to say what characteristics of religion, if any, contribute to possible…

Is non-religiosity a health liability? Not so fast. — A slew of academic research in recent decades posits that adherence to religion is good for your health. Various studies have concluded that religious people are healthier on average and that religion is a coping mechanism for dealing with physiological and psychological conditions. …