Religion is an integral part of the evolution of Homo Sapiens. Our brains seem to be "programmed" to believe in God. Not surprisingly, even in a secular society, human behavior often takes its roots in religion. But what exactly makes people adhere to religious rules of behavior? Fear of God and fear of sin affect a huge range of social and psychological factors. However, results from a behavioral study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology highlight an important underlying motivator that may lie underneath these fears: disgust.
The feeling of disgust helped the ancestors of man survive
When it comes to feelings of disgust, it is logical to assume that it is based on a process of protection - feelings of disgust are often associated with food, unpleasant tastes and smells, and even people who can spread disease. The emotion of disgust is a wonderful evolutionary mechanism that contributed to the survival of our ancestors by protecting them from germs and rotten food. For example, the expression of disgust on the face (puckered nose and pursed lips) creates a physical barrier that prevents potential contaminants from entering the body.
However, disgust in response to certain behaviors does not protect us from germs, but it can cause psychological discomfort. Sleeping in a bed in which someone died recently and eating a cockroach is unlikely to cause physical harm, but still evokes feelings of disgust. As the study authors write in their article for The Conversations, this moral sensitivity is an important moderator of human behavior. Disgust sensitivity can also influence the reactions and behavior of others. We can be disgusted when people violate moral standards, including by following sexual practices that society does not approve of.
Fear of God, Dread of Sin, and Feelings of Disgust
Research has shown that aversion sensitivity can play an important role in motivating specific religious behavior. Scientists have found that religious scrupulousness can be triggered by a sensitivity to disgust, especially a strong aversion to germs and sexual practices, but paradoxically not to general immorality.
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Scientists conducted two online studies. The first involved 523 adult psychology students at a major South American university and explored the relationship between disgust and religious scrupulousness. The results showed that people who had a particular aversion to germs were more likely to express fear of God. And those who were disgusted with sexual practices were afraid of sin. These results suggest that there is a link between feelings of disgust and religious thoughts and feelings, but do not explain how they are related.
The second study involved 165 people. During the experiment, the subjects were shown unpleasant images in order to induce feelings of disgust (vomiting, feces, and open sores). The researchers then compared their fear of God and fear of sin with the fear of other participants who did not feel disgust (they were shown pictures of trees and furniture). Disgust was most pronounced in subjects who were shown images associated with microbes. They also reported a strong fear of sin, but not of God.
Research results have shown that underlying emotional processes that exist separate from religious doctrines and are largely outside of conscious control may underlie some belief-based beliefs and behaviors. Religious beliefs and behavior are undoubtedly influenced by faith and dogma, and they are often rooted in ancient religious practices. At the same time, religious scrupulousness in terms of fear of sin and fear of God can be used to justify extremist beliefs and destructive behavior, such as discrimination or acts of religious violence. Understanding the role that underlying emotions of aversion play in the spread of extremist religious beliefs and behavior can help scientists eliminate their social harm.
Lyubov Sokovikova