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How did religion evolve from primitive beliefs in natural spirits to the major religions in the world today? Some scholars attribute the rise of religion as part of the evolution of the human species. Most of the great religions were formed during the “Axial Age,” a term coined by the German philosopher, Karl Jaspers in 1949. The Axial Age (roughly 800–200 BCE), was a pivotal period where major philosophical and religious traditions emerged across the globe, marking a shift in human consciousness toward abstract thought, self-reflection, and universal ethics, led by figures like Buddha, Confucius, Laozi, Greek philosophers (Socrates, Plato), and Hebrew prophets (Isaiah). This “Great Transformation” saw the rise of foundational ideas for modern civilizations, including concepts like the Golden Rule, individual conscience, and new understandings of justice, challenging older myth-based explanations. Christianity, and Islam followed several centuries later and are part of what some scholars refer to as the “Second Axial Age.”
Yet since these early beliefs were formed, science has provided evidence that the ancient stories in scripture often do not sync with reality. The creation story describes a process where the world was created in six days, was at the center of the universe, and that we humans are formed “in the likeness of God.” The Book of Genesis was written over a period of several centuries, with most scholars agreeing the scriptures reached their final form during or after the Babylonian Exile (6th-5th centuries BCE)—2,500 years ago–compiled from older oral and written traditions. Almost two thousand years later a Polish scientist and astronomer named Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543 CE), placed the Sun, not Earth, at the center of the universe, described Earth’s rotation and its orbit around the Sun, marking the beginning of modern astronomy. Three centuries after that, in 1859 Darwin published the Origen of the Species, showing how animal life evolved over millions or years and that we humans were late arrivals. Then Einstein in 1905 published his theory of relativity, followed by extraordinary inventions and discoveries like black holes, the atomic bomb, subatomic particles and advances in technology with satellites, space stations, the Hubble and Web telescopes, the discovery of countless galaxies, and now AI.
Yet despite evidence to the contrary, beliefs in the creation story still prevail for many who are “religious people.” The ancient creeds that are still recited in many Christian churches were written in the Fifth Century CE, over a thousand years before Darwin. Yet following the Axial Ages religious beliefs and practices, the idea of religion in general and Christianity in particular have not changed very much. Knowing what we now know, does it make sense that God has a gender, that the we humans “look like God,” that the planet Earth is at the center of the Universe, and is the only place in the Universe where living creatures exist, that one branch of religion is “more true” than another, or that our destiny after we die is to spend eternity with God–or if we don’t measure up or “believe” the right things–to spend it in hell, wherever that might be?
As I have written about in earlier posts, the main reason for religion on the Planet Earth is that we humans can’t dismiss the idea of a Divine Being. We are spiritual creatures. We have no choice but to ask questions regarding the meaning of life and of our own lives. And there is evidence that we Homo sapiens are able to experience something we call “the Divine.” The prime example for Christians, of course, is Jesus of Nazareth who because of his faith, the way he lived his life, and the “human experience” of His resurrection, Christians believe He was God incarnate. Theologians have spent much of their lives trying to make sense of this. Of course, believing does not make it true. And for us humans the nature of the Divine ultimately remains a mystery.
And then there are questions about the existence of evil, why bad things happen to good people, and how it is hard to see how God can be all powerful and all good. And if there is a heaven, it seems there certainly must be a hell where all the evil people end up. My point is we just don’t know. Above our pay grade, as they say.
As more people become skeptics, drop out of church, and state they are “spiritual but not religious,” some theologians have dreamed of a “Third Axial Age,” which does a better job in reconciling science with religion and human experience. Despite my own skepticism about theological certainty, Embry and I have attended our small, neighborhood Episcopal church in DC for decades. We have hung in there for a variety of reasons. Embry loves singing in the choir, it is rewarding to hear an occasional really good sermon , and we are used to the liturgy. It is also important to us to be part of a warm, welcoming and diverse community. And while I remain skeptical regarding certain parts of the ancient creeds, I fully embrace what I think the central message of Christianity is: love your neighbor and do what you can to help make the world a kinder, more just and a gentler place.
Decades ago we took a close friend, who is a secular Jew and grew up without any exposure to Judaism or Christianity and who told us that she was curious as to what Christianity was all about. I selected an Episcopal church we had never been to but had the reputation of being the most avant guard and progressive church in the Diocese of Washington and which had a dynamic rector. I was disappointed to learn when we entered the church that the rector was on leave and a supply priest would be conducting the service and giving the sermon. It was a cold early spring morning and several pains in the stained glass windows were missing allowing the cold air in, and no more than three of four dozen people were present. In the middle of his sermon, the preacher proclaimed that it was time to split up into discussion groups to discuss the meaning of the phrase, “Man can’t live by bread alone but only by the very word of God.” I was both puzzled and flabbergasted. Nothing like this is supposed to happen in Episcopal churches. My friend and I joined a group of eight or nine people, with my Jewish friend thinking that this was normal. Someone asked her to start off the discussion with what she thought the phrase meant, which she cheerfully did saying something like “you should try to be nice to the people you work with.” The other people reacted with frowns and raised eyebrows and one a man stopped her in mid-sentence, saying in a gruff voice, “You have got to be kidding! This is ridiculous and an insult.” I immediately jumped in to defend her. With a recent degree from Union Theology Seminary in New York City, at the time the center of intellectual Protestantism, I reached deep into my understanding of theology and God that I had learned from my renowned professors. Satisfied that I had nailed it, I leaned back with a smile.
There was a moment of silence, then someone else said, “Is that it? Is that what you believe?”
I nodded with confidence. Someone else in the group in a gruff voice proclaimed, “Well, if that is it, why don’t you just join the Democratic Party?” Someone else muttered,
“You are just the kind of person we have been trying to drum out of here.”
After the service was over and we were walking out, I apologized for what had happened assuring her that this was not normal.
“Oh that,” she said, “That did not bother me, but did you hear what else they said in the service, “Eat the body and drink the blood of Jesus Christ? These people are cannibals!” I do not believe she has ventured again into another church or a synagogue of any type.
So with this post I conclude my Advent Series. I will return to bashing Trump, trying to understand the difficult and trying times we are in, weighing in on the major issues of the day as I understand them, and telling some of my favorite stories. In the meantime, Christmas is coming up in less than a week. Though Christmas is a Christian holy day, the secular world has embraced it as a time for families and good friends being together, enjoying giving presents, and having a good meal. Whether you are Christian or not or even “religious,” there is something special–and, yes, even spiritual–about families and good friends getting together to enjoy each other’s company.
Merry Christmas!