The Faith Instinct: How Religion Evolved and Why It Endures Audiobook

" Wade presents the idea that religion evolved biologically and culturally as an adaptive aspect of humanity. This book has many critics on both sides of the debate. Religious fundamentalists find his assertion that religion is a product of natural laws unsettling, while many non-theists find his assertion that religion is essentially an adaptive trait misleading. Religion is obviously not the product of a single genetic trait, and Wade fully acknowledges this; however, he does argue that a complex combination of genetic and cultural circumstances ultimately gave rise to modern religious practices and beliefs. "

" Good book, well written... "

" The first half of the book, describing how and why religions evolved, was fascinating, engaging, and well-researched, with contradictory theories presented, and his reasons for preferring one over the other well-explained. The second half, describing his conclusions, was vastly less so. He dismissed studies backed up by evidence without either refuting those studies or providing evidence for his own counter theories. He also blatantly contradicted himself--for example, earlier in the book, he states that hell is a fairly recent addition to religion. Later on, he states that it's impossible for humans to be moral without a fear of hell and that those who don't believe in hell are only moral because of peer pressure from those around them who do. I would not be at all surprised to find that the book was written by two different authors. "

" Perhaps because it's an interest of mine and I do a lot of reading in this field, but despite the book's recent publication date (2010), this exploration of the evolution of an "instinct" for faith didn't grab me -- there wasn't enough here that was new to me to make it compelling. "

" Religion explained in a context I can understand... biology and evolution! "

" Excellent reading for anyone who believes, does not believe, is in search mode or knows someone who is. Very balanced and highly believable book. You know you have an expert author when the premise can be taken as validation for left, right and/or middle. "

" Interesting material, but quite long and very dry "

" An essential bridge between anthropology and religious studies, and should be read and discussed by both sides. "

" Religion has been genetically selected and is biologically based according to this author. War/Altruism are two sides of the same genone designed to promote social cohesion. It's crowd control. "

" If it had gone beyond monotheism in its analysis I would have easily given it four stars. Highly readable. Most interesting analysis of origins of Islam I've ever read. "

" Morals and religion as evolutionary developments. Written really well "

" The author's premise is that we are hardwired to believe in some kind of spiritual life which gives us a sense of morality and group cohesion. I thought a lot of what he said about religion made a lot of sense. Fascinating reading! "

" I liked this book up to about the point the author starts writing more about history than about genetics. Somehow- the parts about history seemed rather speculative and lacking in substance. "

" Very interesting but got distracted by other books. Want to come back later (although probably not). "

" skimmed this one, basically states that religion followed the evolutionary path with human development - not sure all of the hard science evidence is here "

" I found the history of religion fascinating, though complicated and a little hard to follow in parts. I'd be interested in how this book is received by really religious readers, as religion is treated more as a human construct rather than a divine truth. "

" Clearly not a scholarly book. Wade's arguments are not thought through well and make sweeping assumption that fall apart with close exegesis. "

" The author's premise is that we are hardwired to believe in some kind of spiritual life which gives us a sense of morality and group cohesion. I thought a lot of what he said about religion made a lot of sense. Fascinating reading! "

" I liked this book up to about the point the author starts writing more about history than about genetics. Somehow- the parts about history seemed rather speculative and lacking in substance. "

" Religion explained in a context I can understand... biology and evolution! "

" A good book. I have really enjoyed N.Wade's work in the past. This book has some great information on the potential historical etiology of various faiths. Unfortunately, it seems he all too often relies on the quote of an expert to make his point as opposed to a more sound factual source. "

" If it had gone beyond monotheism in its analysis I would have easily given it four stars. Highly readable. Most interesting analysis of origins of Islam I've ever read. "

" skimmed this one, basically states that religion followed the evolutionary path with human development - not sure all of the hard science evidence is here "

" Religion has been genetically selected and is biologically based according to this author. War/Altruism are two sides of the same genone designed to promote social cohesion. It's crowd control. "

" This is a very good book that gives some insight into the origins of faith. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how faith evolved. "

" Thoughtfully written, engaging book. I agree with a previous reviewer that one weak aspect is where Mr. Wade insists that all morality derives from, and only from religion. While I don't agree with that point of view, overall found the book to be a stimulating and enlightening read. "