Group Identity and Religion

I am writing this blog in response to Caro Leach.

The type of religion that was discussed in the article featuring the Homo sapiens after the Holocene could be considered a foundation for modern religion of today. I believe that religion serves many purposes and comes from many different sources. The main purposes referenced in the article, The Nature of Paleolithic Art (part 2) are explanations for the unknown and group identity or community. Caro, in her most recent blog, also points to these as the most important purposes for religion; however, Caro states, “Identity was more defined with the use of religion; people would feel a sense of worth due to religion.”, and I would assert the opposite. I believe that religion emerged from a sense of group identity.

I do agree with Caro that with the creation of organized religion caused a stronger sense of identity; however, I think it is more likely that religion evolved due to an already present sense of group identity. A climate shift occurred following the Holocene that caused the evolution of a greater number of species and more importantly, better hunting conditions, which led to food surpluses. These food surpluses had both benefits and consequences for the groups. Food surpluses meant more food and a better diet for these people, and trade began at this point. With trade came a stronger sense of group identity (mine vs. yours; ours vs. theirs). This strong sense of identity ultimately led to increased warfare. These groups further involved themselves with their group identity by establishing customs and rituals, such as coordinating dress decoration, totem styles, artwork, etc. According to Guthrie, “these patterns carry symbolic meaning and their shared visual reading gives emphasis to group cohesion and order.” (412). In addition, with more wealth circulated throughout the groups, a sense of upper vs. lower began to occur, and a hierarchy developed. Those with more food were considered above those with less, and the upper classes had more free time to expand their newfound mythological beliefs. The tribal ruling class and their shamans began to create stories to explain the unknown, which eventually led to a more stable belief system within the group. Therefore, the original group identity greatly influenced the early development of religion.