Member-only story
Why Societies Need Religion or At Least A Common Frame of Reference
Human brains have evolved to manage relationships with no more than 150 people on average.
For most of humanity’s history and our evolutionary environment, modern-day humans emerged over 100,000 years ago and developed the ability to speak around 50,000 years ago.
In practical terms, this meant that humanity, in its most basic social unit, is a tribalist.
Given this, human beings are highly tribal, with an us versus them mentality.
Having a common frame of reference is essential to maintaining more complex societies' social and political cohesion.
The reason for the culture wars and divisions within society over women’s issues, LGBT issues and issues in the Hamas and Israel conflict is that there is no longer, at least in the Western world, a common frame of reference for those nations.
A common frame of reference entails a common framework, common knowledge, and a mutual understanding of the subject matter, which creates unity within society.
This is why religion is so important: It ensures that all members in a nation or sizeable social setting have read the exact religious text and have a common enough understanding of that religion to ensure that each member has a common…
