Recently I watched 'Religion for Breakfast' on the topic of How Altruism Evolved in Humans (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIbGfGsW_2A). Altruism is defined as the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of another. And behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, such as a warning cry that reveals the location of the caller to a predator. In today's society, examples of altruism would include Paying it Forward and offering food to the poor. The way he explained it, us humans have not always had this social trait but evolved into it over time.
According to Hamilton's Rule, altruism can evolve in a population if the cost to the potential donor is less then the benefit passed on to the donor's direct relatives. Thusly insuring that their genes of cooperation and reciprocity carry on in future generations. It's fascinating to learn how our ancestors grew from "Survival of the Fittest" to "Survival for the Future". This evolution began with such creatures as Bees and Bats societies taking care of the young, old and disabled. Altruism is greater with Empathy, the ability that allows one to quickly and automatically relate to the emotional state of others. We feel the pain in others and wish to alleviate some of it by providing medical care and basic necessities. In my opinion we need to acquire a lot more of this trait in the general public if we are to ever get closer to a world of peace. There would be no war, no hunger, less disease and a higher quality of life if we focused more on taking care of each other and less on gaining more money and power.
From research, people have discovered that evolutionary adaptation of this is AMORAL. The process of making alterations or adjustment that improve the ability of a species or individual to survive doe not require a omnipotent being. Many of our ancestors were encouraged to act more social from the thought of all knowing gods but they were not required. Many civilizations and even different species of animals that didn't have such religions also learned that being social was the key to survival.
If you want to learn more I highly recommend watching the video that I did and doing research on your own. Since I was little, I have always seen societies taking care of each other as the best way to live. However, I grew up in a very Conservative Baptist home, so needless to say my ideas were ridiculed and I was seen as an enemy when ever I spoke in such a manner. Humans forget that we are all HUMAN and need to help each other. My Baptist family and others like them that call themselves "Christian" forget that the term means Christ Like. If you read the New Testament Jesus gave us two Commandments that he said were the most important. "Love YOUR God with all your mind and strength. And Love one another, take care of each other. These are the most important Commandments". Its simple and yet hard for so many people that want to believe that they are better than others. For this I consider myself a Pagan who loves Jesus and worships Mother Nature. Jesus was an amazing teacher of Love and Mother Nature is our Home. It may not make sense to others but it doesn't have to, beliefs are for each individual person to decide. If you ask two completely different people that claim the same Religion you will find that their Beliefs are quite different. Remember that we are all different and have the right to live just as much as another.
Take care of each other and Blessed Be.
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