Primatologist Fraans de Waal, in his book, "The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism among the Primates", argues that we believe in God because we are moral rather than we are moral because we believe in God.
In other words morality has evolved over time as we have. De Waal says, "there is little evidence that other animals judge the appropriateness of actions that do not directly affect themselves, yet, in their behavior, we recognize the same values we pursue ourselves.
Strange, for isn't the same behaviour common to people these days? I mean, we as a species are increasingly becoming less and less concerned about the appropriateness of the actions of others ("Let him/her do whatever they want to...what's it to us?") and more concerned about ourselves, our actions, achievements, disappointments, etc.
So, are we slowly but surely becoming like the primates? On the return journey to complete the full circle? To help Him create a level playing field on Earth? ;)
In other words morality has evolved over time as we have. De Waal says, "there is little evidence that other animals judge the appropriateness of actions that do not directly affect themselves, yet, in their behavior, we recognize the same values we pursue ourselves.
Strange, for isn't the same behaviour common to people these days? I mean, we as a species are increasingly becoming less and less concerned about the appropriateness of the actions of others ("Let him/her do whatever they want to...what's it to us?") and more concerned about ourselves, our actions, achievements, disappointments, etc.
So, are we slowly but surely becoming like the primates? On the return journey to complete the full circle? To help Him create a level playing field on Earth? ;)
