Religion, Disease, and Immunology (Scientific Studies of Religion: Inquiry and Explanation)

"This book argues that religion has emerged over evolutionary time as a strategy for managing the transmission, contraction, and eradication of infectious disease. From purity and pollution codes to blood sacrifices and irrational beliefs, the book shows how religion supports not only the physiological immune system, but the behavioral and psychological immune systems as well. The book also addresses those moments when it appears that religion becomes maladaptive, that is, religion occasionally causes "autoimmune problems," such as celibacy and anti-vaccination. Engaging material ranging from evolutionary and social psychology to human behavioral ecology, biological anthropology, Darwinian medicine, and religious studies, the book proposes that in order to understand the human animal's enduring fascination with religion, one must take into account the human animal's enduring need to manage infectious disease, that is, the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse."-- Provided by publisher This book argues that religion has emerged over evolutionary time as a strategy for managing the transmission, contraction, and eradication of infectious disease. From purity and pollution codes to blood sacrifices and irrational beliefs, the book shows how religion supports not only the physiological immune system, but the behavioral and psychological immune systems as well. The book also addresses those moments when it appears that religion becomes maladaptive, that is, when religion causes “autoimmune problems,” such as celibacy and anti-vaccination. Engaging material ranging from evolutionary and social psychology to human behavioral ecology, biological anthropology, Darwinian medicine, and religious studies, the book proposes that in order to understand the human animal's enduring fascination with religion, one must take into account the enduring need to manage infectious disease. Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The Biology of Religion: There Will Never Be a Darwin for the Crown of Thorns? Chapter 3: Religion’s Tribalism: The Behavioral Immune System Chapter 4: Religion’s Vital Lies and Illusions of Control: The Psychological Immune System Chapter 5: Religion’s Curative Violence: The Physiological Immune System Chapter 6: At War with the Body: When Religion Becomes the Infection Chapter 7: Conclusion Notes References Index