But why does humanity have such a preference for god-bothering? Of course, it's because most people are slack-minded eejits. Desmond Morris gives an anthropological explanation. When he's not churning out contrived surrealist paintings.
Praise The Lord!
Morris (Peoplewatching, 2002) describes religious display as submissive acts performed to dominant individuals, to appease super-dominant beings, and to obtain favours or avoid punishments.
In the animal world, it's common for subordinates to engage in submissive acts (think alpha male monkey fights), but when it comes to those crazy humans, the dominant figure is never present. Instead, they're represented by images or artifacts and operate through agents (a.k.a priests/holy men).
These middlemen (by happy coincidence) enjoy a position of social influence and respect- some of the power of the god rubs off on them- hence it's vital that they keep worshippers permanently obedient. They encourage social rejection of worshippers of rival gods. Of course, a "benefit" of this cultural isolation is the development of sects and sectarian violence.
You might want to get yourself a nice cup of tea now, or indeed a large whisky, because my next post'll explain why us rational beings have allowed this delusional nonsense to thrive unchecked since the Stone Age...
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