Religion as a Natural Phenomenon

Multimedia · Tue Feb 14 23:00:00 EST 2006

OSTI ID:987159

Dennett, Daniel ^[1]

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1. OSTI/ DOE

Religion is a costly human activity that has evolved over the millennia. Why does it exist and how does it foster such powerful allegiances? To undertake a serious scientific study of religious practices and attitudes we must set aside a traditional exemption from scrutiny which religions have enjoyed. Religious adherents may not welcome this attention, but we should press ahead with it, since if we don't come to understand religion as a natural phenomenon, our attempts to deal with the problems that loom in the twenty-first century will likely be counterproductive.

• Research Organization: FNAL (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States))
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 987159
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS