Evolutionary Origin of Religions and Religious Evolution: Religious Neurosociology

The paper proposes that the evolutionary origin of religions is based on theory of mind as the product of interdependent division of labor between the forest specialist group (women and small children) and the woodland specialist group (men) in early hominins who lived in the mixed forest-woodland habitat. To complement each other’s work without interfering each other’s work, one specialist group had to recognize (imagine) that the other specialist group existed to think for themselves and to do different works. The result was theory of mind which is to recognize (imagine) that the others exist to think for themselves. (The forest-woodland groups became the hunter-gatherer groups for the Homo species in the savanna habitat.) Under existential pressure, hominins invented imaginary specialists as imaginary agents who existed to think for themselves and to do different works in imaginary division of labor to enhance survival chance. The result was religion with imaginary behaviors. Therefore, religion is defined as a set of beliefs and behaviors based on theory of mind that produces a shared imagination to enhance survival chance under existential pressure. This paper proposes that the religious evolution consists of the premodern imaginative religion for local society habitat starting from bipedalism, the modern rational imaginative religion for regional society habitat starting from the Axial Age, and the postmodern diverse rational imaginative religion for global society habitat starting from the Information Revolution. In conclusion, the religious brain is the imaginative brain, and the religious social behaviors are imaginary social behaviors. The religious evolution is the evolution of human imagination to enhance survival chance under existential pressure, such as the religious reinforcement of social bonds to enhance the survival chance of social group and the religious relief of stress and anxiety to enhance the survival chance of individuals.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place： The Study of Ethics in World Religions

In this essay, I make the claim that the study of religion suffers from an identity crisis that is made all the worse by an inability to effectively navigate not only the many divisions within the field, but also the many ways in which influences external to the realm of scholarship, including media, university administration, and public opinion, represent significant areas of discourse that need to be better integrated into our scholarly work. In conclusion, I argue that a greater attention to the ethical or social value of social theory can go a long way in helping to clarify what is at stake, and perhaps even bridge some of these divides without loosing academic integrity.

A Review of Research on New Religions in Chinese Academics

Nowadays with the rise of social and economic developments of China and the closer international exchanges,problems of new religions have emerged.They have become a cultural phenomenon concerned by the whole society.Moreover,it is an important issue any government has to face.This thesis reviews the research work on new religions in Chinese academics from three aspects:(1)a classification of related concepts;(2)the emergence of new religions;and(3)how to understand and deal with the problems,attempting to distinguish theoretically“new religions”from“cults”.Thus,the paper tries to provide conceptual suggestions to academics and governments.

The Implantation and Transmission of Plague Culture by the Five Plague Gods in Shuilu Murals

The Five Plague Gods(五瘟神) in the Shuilu(水陆) murals from the Ming and Qing dynasties exemplify a distinctive manifestation of plague gods image developed under the pedigree of Taoist gods.As a significant system for expelling disasters in Shuilu,the depiction of the Five Plague Gods prominently merges human beings and livestock.This shape form to a large extent,draws on the image of Nuo(傩),a figure reflecting an imagination of the host of plague pathogens.In terms of the numbers of gods,it aligns with the conceptual framework of Wu Xing(五行 the five elements),a foundational principle in traditional Chinese medicine.The internal cultural connection highlights the means of plague prevention and control in China,as well as the external reflection of plague culture.Through multi-dimensional interpretations with the double proof method,this article dissects the formation,core elements,and cultural characteristics of the beliefs in the Five Plague Gods reflected in the Shuilu murals,and transcends mere visual semantics,offering a deeper understanding of these complex cultural symbols.

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Spirituality:The Evolution and Personalization of Religious Experience

This paper explores the evolution of religious experience from ancient nature worship and ancestor reverence to modern individualized spirituality.It examines how early spiritual practices were deeply intertwined with daily life,later becoming institutionalized through formalized religions with complex rituals and doctrines.The rise of mysticism,emphasizing personal connections with the divine,persisted alongside institutional religions.In contemporary society,the shift towards"spiritual but not religious"reflects a return to personalized spiritual paths,driven by individualism and the desire for direct,meaningful spiritual experiences.This trend's implications for both individuals and society are also discussed.

The Islamic Religion in Course Curriculums of High School History Textbooks in the Republic of Macedonia

History textbooks can and primarily should contribute to the strengthening of students’awareness of universal human values.However,history textbooks can also deepen the divisions,prejudices,and uncritical attitudes,contrary to the goals of education.The youth population,which is still building and creating their point of view towards the world is the main group in the education process.The learning period,in the elementary,as well as in the secondary education is of utmost importance for the development of every human.To that end,history,through the contents of the past largely shapes our perceptions of every individual,ourselves,and the others.Since we are living in a multiethnic and multi-confessional society,I have decided to conduct an analysis of the teaching contents of high school textbooks related to religion.Another reason for the analysis is the role of religion in the formation of Balkan nations,which have made it one of the key elements of their national identities.It is often given the role of raising and strengthening the national awareness,patriotism,as well as the country homogeneity,which most often leads to forming prejudices,divisions,and discrimination towards people of minority religions.The large volume of content related to the religion,and also the mere fact that Muslims are the second largest religion group in the population,I have decided to analyze the contents which are related only to the Islamic religion.The goal is to look for both the positive and negative sides of those contents in history textbooks in secondary schools,which are backed by state institutions that are supposed to take care of the development of competitive,creative,progressive,and ethically formed human potential.The critical review will give an additional impulse to the efforts of eliminating those parts of the teaching contents that create divisions and prejudices,especially in history textbooks,so that its studying can become the key factor in the building of trust between people of different religions.

Historiography and Scientific Research of Religious Buildings of the Cucuteni-Trypillian Culture

The purpose of this article is to reveal the historiography and current state of research related to the cult buildings of the Eneolithic period of the Cucuteni-Trypillian cultural community.The article describes the historical path of archaeological discoveries,from the first Trypillian sanctuaries to the discovery of the largest Nebelivka temple complex in Ukraine in 2012.At the same time,the work partially raises the issue of religious beliefs of the ancient farmers of Central Europe in connection with the discovery of their sacred buildings.Since special scientific works have not comprehensively addressed this issue and are still fragmentary in nature,it is important at the present stage of research to make some coverage and systematization of existing materials on this issue.

Can Religious Pluralism Influence Governance and Societal Cohesion?

This analysis uncovers the complex interplay of religion,politics,and society in Israel,revealing the intricate dynamics of secular and religious ideologies.The study explores the deep ideological rift between secular and religious communities,a divide that profoundly impacts political stability and policymaking.This division often leads to political crises and reshuffling,with the political system characterized by unstable coalition governments.The research is grounded in the divisions over the state’s spiritual ideology,with significant Orthodox influence shaping policy on education,family law,and cultural affairs.The research shows the profound influence of religious parties on Israeli politics,significantly shaping the country’s policies and ideological direction.Influenced by external factors such as security threats and diplomatic challenges,the dynamic interaction between politics and religion shapes Israeli politics since religious parties advocate for policies that align with their interpretation of Jewish religious law,thereby impacting the role of religion in public policy.The influence of religious politics has led to a discernible shift toward greater religious orthodoxy in public life,driven by the political power of religious parties that prioritize religious values above secular democratic principles.The state’s endorsement of religious education and institutions shapes public policy and societal norms.The analysis examines the influence of religious values in public policy and the dynamic interaction between religious and political spheres,aimed to ensure that religion remains dominant in shaping societal norms and governance.This complex relationship demonstrates the ongoing challenges in balancing religious orthodoxy with secular principles,which poses difficulties and has implications for the stability and cohesion of Israeli society.The urgency and complexity of this task cannot be overstated,as it is crucial for the future of Israeli politics and religious dynamics.

Bad TV,Beleaguered Doctors,and Buried Religions

We’re trying a few new things here at TWOC,namely,not going with an overall theme.Instead,we’ll be bringing you stories from a variety of perspectives from around the country to help provide a more comprehensive view of the modern Middle Kingdom,and we hope to continue to bring you the best in Chinese culture,society,entertainment,language,and long-form journalism for a long time to come.

Five Major Religions in China

CHINA is a nation of many religions, the main five ones being Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Roman Catholicism and Christianity (Protestantism). There are also some special religions of some minority nationalities or regional beliefs. Buddhism was introduced into China from India around the First Century, and gradually developed into several sects including the Han-language-family Buddhism, the Tibetan-language-family Buddhism (or Lamaism) and Pali-language-family Buddhism. For all of these sects, recent data reveals there are more than 9,500 Buddhist temples and 170,000

SPECIAL ISSUE： RELIGION AND SOCIETY： CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION：Beyond exclusive religions： challenges for the sociology of religion in China

The rapid growth of Chinese religion and the related studies will potentially reshape the boundary of sociology of religion. While sociology of religion focuses mainly on exclusive religions, so much so that it was once labeled ＂sociology of Christianity,＂ it meets challenges and opportunities in China where non-exclusive religions dominate the society. At the micro-level, the prevalence of non-exclusive religion poses challenges to some key concepts rooted in Western society, such as conversion and commitment. At the organizational level, it challenges sect-to-church theory, reminding us to study non- bureaucratic religious organizations. At the market level, Chinese religions are a laboratory for sociologists to examine factors leading to the prevalence of non-exclusive religions.

苯教因明学文献与研学制度评介

Logic in Bon Religion is one of the important elements in the Logic popular in Tibet.This article based on a discussion of the development of Logic and the important literatures of Bon Religion,the process of and time phases of studying Logic of Bon Religion,describes four important characteristics of Logic of Bon Religion.Namely,there are similarities and differences between the Logic of Buddhism and that of Bon Religion first of all.Secondly,Logic of Bon Religion bears an invaluable tradition of traditional Tibetan culture regardless from the perspective of Logic,Philosophy,the literary works conducted by the respective scholars.Thirdly,like the other sciences,the development of Logic of Bon Religion experienced a process of from uncomplete to completion,from an independent subject to a science with various disciplines.Fourthly,Logic of Bon Religion is an academic field with a strong validity.

Epistemic Analysis of Kantian Ethics of Duty Call vis-a-vis Paranormal in Nigerian Society Among Nigerian Clergymen

This work is geared to carry out epistemic analysis of Kantian ethics of duty call vis-à-vis paranormal in Nigerian society among clergymen.The recent changes in Nigerian and other African countries like colonialism that brought Western education,globalization,urbanization,and new religion(Islam and Christianity)have made it that divination in traditional African religion is no longer in vogue in this contemporary period.Divination and fortune telling have taken a new dimension in form of faith healing and miracles by some prophets and so called men of God like pastors,priests,and imam.The quest for materialism among the ministers and clerics of Islamic,Christian and traditional religion has made them abuse their religious calling for their selfish interests.This work makes use of analytic and critical methods of data analysis.This work postulates that Immanuel Kant’s ethics of duty call serves to provide a guiding principle to Nigeria clergymen of different religions on the need for them to carry out their religious duties out of good will.On the other hand,twisting or distorting the teachings of their religion to serve their various selfish interests contravenes Immanuel Kant’s ethics of duty call.Finally,they have to contribute positively to nation building by propagating or fostering the positive ideology,theories,or doctrines that will promote love and national unity in a multicultural country like Nigeria.

The Contemplation for Mental Health: A Short Review—I

Research and results: Contemplative practises use positive electromagnetic vibrations to speed up mental health recovery, while spirituality and religion bring love, hope, happiness, and compassion. Self-transcendence increases cortisol and serotonin receptor binding, suppresses norepinephrine, and reduces mental health issues. Mental health professionals must respect preferences, record religious beliefs, provide spiritual materials, and encourage socialisation. Self-determination, autonomy, and choice should be prioritised in mental health care. This therapy’s significant, long-term, and undeniable effect is undisputed. Research purpose: To publicise mental health-promoting spiritual and religious practises. Methods and tools: The author, a psychologist with 20 years of introspective training, summarises the findings after being cured of psychopathology, with only the relevant insight points. “Contemplative Practice” is an integrated therapy for psychiatric patients and health care providers that promotes mental health through spiritual and religious activities. Self-analysis and, theoretically, a Google Scholar literature search help the author create the therapy. Result: The author develops a contemplative science research methodology. Conclusion: Positive psychology and metaphysical contemplation can miraculously improve mental health.

Religion and “Zero-Dose” Vaccination Status in Children Aged 12 to 23 Months in Benin and Togo: “Evidence of Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys”

Introduction: The relationship between religion and health has been a topic of interest in the past, and in recent years it has become increasingly visible in the social, behavioural, and health sciences. This work aims to study the influence of religion on the “zero-dose” vaccination status of children aged 12 - 23 months in Benin and Togo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which consisted in carrying out secondary analyzes using the databases of the most recent editions of the Demographic and Health Surveys in Benin and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) in Togo. We extracted data concerning the vaccination status (“1 = zero-dose”, “0 = vaccinated”) of the children, the religious affiliation of the head of the household or the mother and other variables related to the child, the mother, the household and the environment. By means of a logistic regression, the adjusted effect of the religious affiliation of the head of the household or of the mother on the vaccination status at “zero-dose” was determined. Results: A total of 2430 and 933 children were respectively included in the study on behalf of Benin and Togo. The prevalence of “zero-dose” vaccination status in children aged 12 - 23 months was 33.91% (95% CI = 31.67 - 36.23) in Benin and this prevalence was 26.88% (95% CI = 23.50 - 30.55) in Togo. In Benin, there is no evidence in favour of the influence of the religious affiliation of the mother on the “zero-dose” vaccination status of children. In Togo, children living in households whose head was Muslim (ORa = 3.44;95% CI = 1.29 - 9.13) were more likely to be “zero-dose” than those coming from households run by individuals with no religious beliefs. Conclusion: Further research is needed to understand the basis for the excess risk of “zero-dose” vaccination status in children that appears to be associated with the Muslim religion.

An Introduction to the Culture of Zhuang’s Mo Religion Scriptures

Like all the religions in the world,Mo religion is a classic one believed by all Zhuang people.It believes in and worships the gods,having truth in a thing that life and death are manipulated by the gods,that life and death can be reincarnated,and that human beings can be recreated.It has a set of systematic interpretations of the universe,celestial bodies,life and death,misfortune,fate,soul,salvation,etc.It has the omnipotent,omniscient and the infinitely wise.The first Patriarch Bulotuo appeared as the supreme god and master.His professionals are called“pumo”and religious scripture of Mo religion is called“sɯ³⁵mo³⁵”!Mo religion’s activities are known as“hok⁵⁵mo³⁵”.

Organ Donation and Obstacles: University Student Survey

Background: Organ transplantation has helped improve the quality of life of patients with lethal terminal organ failure. This success is owed to the progress made in many fields such as surgery, immunology…However, in our country Morocco, we are faced with reluctance to donate. The study’s objective is to evaluate the perception of organ donation among university students. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical aims. Our target population consisted of 991 university students from eight higher education structures. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to those students by a single interviewer. The questions of the survey answered four main themes. Thus, two types of studies were done. The first was a descriptive study of the socio-demographic characteristics of the selected population and their knowledge and attitudes about organ donation. The second was an analytical study of the correlation between the socio-demographic characteristics, type and level of education of the target population and their knowledge and attitudes towards organ donation. Results: 97.2% of the respondents have already heard about organ donation. If 836 of the students (84.4%) thought that transplantation could be an effective therapeutic alternative, 155 of the students (15.6%) were not aware of this possibility. Furthermore, 298 students, which means 30.1% of the students, did not know that organ transplantation was practiced in Morocco. The causes of refusal found in our study were numerous. 68.5% of students blamed the lack of information as the main cause of their reluctance. 64.7% were afraid of organ trafficking. 41.1% refused the idea of mutilating the body of the deceased, which could impact the funeral. 37.3% thought that donation would be a violation of the human body according to religious values. 33.9% were against donation because they hoped that the brain-dead patient could wake up. The main results of our survey showed the very favorable attitude towards organ donation and transplantation, despite the lack of knowledge on the subject. Conclusion: This study revealed the absence of information on the practice of organ transplantation in Morocco and the underestimation of the number of people waiting for transplantation. On the other hand, like the data found in the literature, our study highlights the religious obstacles and the lack of confidence in the legislation governing donation and transplantation in our country.

初探宗教现象学

宗教现象学是当代西方文化中使用现象学方法来诠释宗教的一种学说,它在理论上与传统宗教的理性实体学说和自然神学理论相区别,一是将宗教的论证方式由外在实体出发转向由人的直观意识出发,二是将对神的论证由理性论证的途径改变为意识直观和生存体验的途径。宗教现象学把人的直观意识体验和生存感受作为其理论的出发点,它同时把宗教理解为前导入的生存的意义纲领。宗教现象学跨越了现象学、存在主义、解释学、心理学、人类学及神学等多个学科,尚有许多理论问题有待进一步澄清。

The Eight Stages of Psychosocial Protective Development: Developmental Psychology

The proposed universal psychological mechanism for developmental psychology is the mental protective system whose different parts emerge and mature in the eight different stages of psychosocial protective development under different social interactions. The proposed eight stages of psychosocial protective development are childhood (infancy, toddlerhood, pre-juvenile age, and juvenile age), adolescence, early young adulthood, late young adulthood, early middle adulthood, late middle adulthood, early late adulthood, and late late adulthood. The mental protection system consists of four socialities (collectivistic, individualistic, interdependent, and generativity), three worldviews (territorial, competitive, and cooperative), and the mental immune system for four regulated and unregulated countermeasures (hyperactivity, phobia, comforter, and rationality) against adversities. During childhood, dependent children have collectivistic sociality under the protection of committed parents and territorial worldview with the boundary of family. Children start with the unregulated mental immune system without delayed gratification due to mental immaturity, and gradually acquire the regulated mental immune system with delayed gratification through mental maturity. Adolescents transit to adulthood. Independent adults have the regulated metal immune system, individualistic sociality with reciprocity, and competitive-cooperative worldviews without boundary. After the age of 50, older people as elder leaders-mentors develop generativity sociality to protect next generation. The paper shows that the mental protective system as the universal psychological mechanism for developmental psychology explains clearly psychosocial protective development, the human evolution, the Piaget’s cognitive development, the Erikson’s psychosocial (ego-social) development, the Confucius’ (educated person’s) six milestones of life, and parent-child relation in the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and Confucianism.