Atheists like Richard Dawkins make the argument that belief in the divine, despite being universal across humanity, must be a pathological mutation of evolution – that is, a mutation that is bad for you that has somehow stuck.
PICTURE: Jackson David/Unsplash
The only problem with that argument is, research into spiritual phenomena – prayer, meditation, divine encounters – show that such experiences are not pathological at all but really beneficial.
They are good for us. They reduce stress, improve mental health, increase contentment and empathy, reduce addictive behaviours. Create cohesive communities. This research is from fellow atheists like Jonathan Haidt.
For some reason humans crave the Divine and when we touch the Divine, it adds to life. It’s a very strange phenomenon for a world created by a random series of events. But one that makes sense in a world of providence.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.