an ancient statue or artifact depicting a religious figure or mythological creature doing a religious ceremony or ritual
an ancient statue or artifact depicting a religious figure or mythological creature doing a religious ceremony or ritual an ancient statue or artifact depicting a religious figure or mythological creature doing a religious ceremony or ritual

The Use of Religion, Myths, and Morals as Tools for Controlling Humans throughout History

POSTED ON: March 2, 2023 IN Blog
by Laurence Tuck

Religion, myths, and morals have been used for centuries as tools to control human behavior and shape society. From ancient times to modern days, these concepts have played a significant role in shaping human culture and promoting social norms. However, the use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans raises ethical questions about the potential dangers of religious and moral dogmatism and the role of religion in public policy. It is important to critically evaluate the use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans and consider their ethical implications for shaping human behavior and society.

Introduction

Religion, myths, and morals have played a significant role in shaping human behavior and society throughout history. The use of these tools as a means of controlling individuals has been a common practice for centuries. According to Kirschner and Tomasello (2010), religion and morality have evolved as social institutions that facilitate cooperation, control aggression, and promote prosocial behavior. The importance of studying the use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans lies in understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying their effectiveness and their ethical implications. The thesis of this paper is to explore the use of religion, myths, and morals in controlling humans throughout history and how they have been used as a tool to shape human behavior.

Historical Perspective

Religion, myths, and morals have been used as tools for controlling humans throughout history. Ancient civilizations used religion and myth to maintain social order, control behavior, and promote cooperation among their citizens (Guthrie, 1993). In ancient Greece, for example, the myth of Prometheus was used to discourage disobedience to the gods and promote social cohesion (Detienne & Vernant, 1991). Similarly, in ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was considered a god and was responsible for maintaining social order and ensuring the prosperity of the kingdom (Assmann, 1999). Religion has also been used as a tool to justify political power and control. The divine right of kings in medieval Europe was used to legitimize the authority of monarchs and justify their rule over their subjects (Hunt, 2007).

Modern Use of Religion, Myths, and Morals in Controlling Humans

Religion, myths, and morals continue to be used as tools for controlling humans in modern societies. According to Durkheim (2008), religion plays a crucial role in shaping social order and promoting solidarity in modern societies. Religion has been used to promote prosocial behavior, discourage deviance, and regulate social norms (Sosis, 2003). In addition, moral codes and ethical values are often used to shape public policies and promote social change. For example, the civil rights movement in the United States was heavily influenced by religious and moral teachings, which were used to promote racial equality and social justice (Watts & Orbe, 2002). Religion, myths, and morals also influence decision-making in areas such as healthcare, politics, and environmental policy (Turiel & Wainryb, 2016).

Psychological Perspective

The use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans is rooted in psychological mechanisms that promote conformity, social cohesion, and prosocial behavior. According to social identity theory, individuals are more likely to conform to group norms and values when their social identity is salient (Tajfel & Turner, 1979). Religion and moral codes provide individuals with a sense of identity and purpose, which can promote conformity to social norms (Haidt, 2008). In addition, moral values are often used to justify decisions and promote prosocial behavior (Greene & Haidt, 2002). However, the use of religious and moral teachings to influence behavior can also be manipulated for political gain (Ginges & Atran, 2011).

Ethical Considerations

The use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans raises ethical concerns about the potential dangers of religious and moral dogmatism. According to Haidt and Graham (2007), individuals are often influenced by their moral intuitions, which can lead to conflicts with those who hold different beliefs. Religious and moral teachings can be used to justify discrimination, oppression, and violence against those who do not conform to dominant moral codes (Bulbulia et al., 2013). The use of religious and moral teachings to promote social change also raises ethical concerns about the role of religion in public policy and the potential conflicts between religious beliefs and secular values (Kaminer, 2016). Moreover, the use of religious and moral teachings to shape decision-making can be influenced by biases and group interests (Ginges et al., 2007). Therefore, it is important to critically evaluate the use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans and consider their ethical implications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, religion, myths, and morals have been used as tools for controlling humans throughout history, and continue to shape human behavior and society in modern times. Their use is rooted in psychological mechanisms that promote conformity, social cohesion, and prosocial behavior. However, the use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans also raises ethical concerns about the potential dangers of religious and moral dogmatism and the role of religion in public policy. Therefore, it is crucial to critically evaluate the use of religion, myths, and morals as tools for controlling humans and consider their ethical implications for shaping human behavior and society.

Take Backs

  1. Question assumptions: Be critical of religious and moral teachings and ask questions about their origins, purpose, and potential biases. Don’t simply accept beliefs without examining the evidence or considering alternative viewpoints.
  2. Educate yourself: Learn about different religions and mythologies and their historical and cultural contexts. Gain knowledge of different moral and ethical frameworks and how they shape human behavior and society.
  3. Develop your own moral compass: Take responsibility for your own ethical decision-making and develop your own values and principles that align with your personal beliefs and experiences.
  4. Practice self-awareness: Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings and how they are influenced by religion, myths, and morals. Be aware of the impact these concepts have on your behavior and decision-making.
  5. Seek diverse perspectives: Engage with people from different backgrounds and cultures and seek out diverse perspectives on religion, myths, and morals. This can help you gain a broader understanding of these concepts and avoid dogmatism.
  6. Advocate for freedom of belief: Support the freedom of belief for all individuals, regardless of their religious or moral beliefs. This includes advocating for separation of church and state and opposing any attempt to use religion to justify discrimination or intolerance.

References:

  • Assmann, J. (1999). The mind of Egypt: History and meaning in the time of the pharaohs. Harvard University Press.
  • Bulbulia, J., Schjoedt, U., & Sosis, R. (2013). The evolution of religion: How cognitive by-products, adaptive learning heuristics, ritual displays, and group competition generate deep commitments to prosocial religions. Biological Theory, 8(1), 49-59.
  • Detienne, M., & Vernant, J. P. (1991). Cunning intelligence in Greek culture and society. University of Chicago Press.
  • Durkheim, E. (2008). The elementary forms of religious life. Oxford University Press.
  • Ginges, J., & Atran, S. (2011). War as a moral imperative (not just practical politics by other means). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 278(1711), 2930-2938.
  • Ginges, J., Hansen, I., & Norenzayan, A. (2007). Religion and support for suicide attacks. Psychological Science, 18(3), 224-230.
  • Greene, J., & Haidt, J. (2002). How (and where) does moral judgment work? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 6(12), 517-523.
  • Guthrie, S. (1993). Faces in the clouds: A new theory of religion. Oxford University Press.
  • Haidt, J. (2008). Morality. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(1), 65-72.
  • Haidt, J., & Graham, J. (2007). When morality opposes justice: Conservatives have moral intuitions that liberals may not recognize. Social Justice Research, 20(1), 98-116.
  • Hunt, L. (2007). Inventing human rights: A history. WW Norton & Company.
  • Kaminer, W. (2016). The perilous intersection of religion and politics. Journal of Law and Religion, 31(1), 137-153.
  • Kirschner, S., & Tomasello, M. (2010). Joint music making promotes prosocial behavior in 4-year-old children. Evolution and Human Behavior, 31(5), 354-364.
  • Sosis, R. (2003). Why aren’t we all Hutterites? Costly signaling theory and religious behavior. Human Nature, 14(2), 91
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