The Benefits of Religious Beliefs

Religion has beneficial effects on individuals and groups, but this does not mean that religious beliefs are false. If we were to dismiss beliefs solely because they have evolutionary benefits, we would be left with an impoverished belief system that hinders human survival and reproduction. Just as we accept beliefs about the poisonous nature of arsenic or the need to care for children, we should be open to the truth of religious beliefs. In order to dismiss religious beliefs, conclusive proof that God does not exist or that there is no afterlife would be necessary. Without such proof, religious beliefs should be given the same consideration as other adaptive beliefs.