the evolving mind

The word baal meant, in the various Semitic languages, “master” or “owner,” sometimes in a very mundane sense. . . . “Baal” was also used as a common title for Semitic deities with the precise connotation of the English “Lord.” It was never used as the specific name of any idol. Indeed, the Israelites used the word as a title for Yahweh at least up through the time of David.
-Asimov (42)

Why is the Bible god referred to as male, as a father, as a “he” requiring people to worship “him?”

Modern believers will attempt to neuter their god, removing those elements that make their god conflict with the civilized world’s values of equality and tolerance (among others). Nonetheless, the god of their ancestors, the original god from whom their new and improved version has been distilled, was clearly the big man of the cosmos. Why? Because we are more likely to submit to bigger and badder entities. Among most species, ours included, males typically fill this role.
Blame it on testosterone. The male hormone is responsible for both the greater musculature of males and it “seems to be related to strong aggressive tendencies that go beyond normal competitive aggressiveness.”(43) More directly relevant to the issue at hand, testosterone’s role in social dominance has been studied.(44) And although the role is far from clear-cut, one clearly influence the other.

Social dominance is a fundamental trait of the gods. They reside above humans; they are more powerful than humans; and they typically demand that their greater status be recognized. While many people may claim, Oprah-like, that the great alpha of the Bible only wants to be loved, this is significantly less true than his insistence that you fear him. Conduct a keyword search of a digital Bible and you will confirm that for yourself.

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 10:12)

As a final introductory point I must widen the focus and briefly mention priests and their possible role in the creation and perpetuation of belief in invisible alphas. One might argue that a priest is but a spiritual beta, second only to their special alpha. Yet we must remember that in their domain of human activities they are alphas (that domain has been shrinking as civilization advances). The religion they preach and practice promotes and maintains their position.

Priests, however, don’t go around beating their chests. There are two reasons why they don’t have to. First, as Gould points out, “there are many ways for people to achieve dominance over others, some of which my examples have cited: threats of force, personal charm, superior debating skills, bargaining power, and even claims of arcane knowledge or divine inspiration are all viable means of exerting control over what other people do.” (45)

Second, by position or self-promotion, priests claim to have an alliance, a bond, with a people’s great alpha. This alliance protects and upholds their position. Priests don’t need to thump their chests or threaten punishing plagues, their superior partner will. At least according to what they say that invisible partner has whispered in their ear.

Not surprisingly, chimpanzees also use alliances with powerful individuals to elevate their own status. (46)

Certainly, we are a long way from a natural explanation of the widespread human belief in supernatural entities. It is a true puzzle. In coming chapters I will attempt to put a few pieces into place.

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(42) Asimov, I., Asimov’s Guide to the Bible: The Old and New Testaments, Wing Books, New York, 1969, p.185
(43) Zuckerman, M., Psychobiology of Personality, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991, p.225
(44) Zuckerman, 1991, p.397
(45) Gould, R. V. Collision of Wills: How Ambiguity About Social Rank Breeds Conflict, University of Chicago, Chicago, 2003, p. 49
(46) McCrew, W. C., The Cultured Chimpanzee: Reflections on Cultural Primatology, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2004

[July hiatus automated re-post.  First appeared here: http://almightyalpha.blogspot.com/2007/09/testosterone-and-temperament-of-gods.html]

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