Feb 10 2009
Supernatural Calamities as a God’s Advertisements
“I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them. (Ezekiel 39:21)
An advertisement is a public announcement. In the wake of natural disasters and even man-made tragedies — war, terrorist violence, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. — many religious people will attribute these events to their god. Through the calamity, their god has broadcast a message. Why would a god need to send a visible message? And why in the form of a fear-provoking event?
In dominance relationships — and a god is said to be “most high” for a reason — there is an “element of perpetual instability.” A high-ranking male “can never be certain what political maneuvering has occurred in his absence, it is necessary for him continually to reestablish his dominance.” (26) And how does he reestablish his dominance? He advertises his power and ability to do harm.
A primate’s threat gestures/behaviors are actually quite plastic. Elements will include such things as:
hair follicle erection – making the individual look bigger; throwing rocks – showing an ability to inflict harm; slapping and stamping the ground – ‘this’ could be you; overpowering and damaging saplings and branches, etc. (27)
One somewhat typical chimpanzee male, Godi, was observed by primatologists engaging in “prolonged displays during which he stamped around in slow motion and threw literally dozens of sticks and stones randomly in the air.” (28) Random violence is unpredictable hence more fear-provoking. When will the alpha strike again? If you wish to escape the fear, you better bow down. And even then you might not be safe, particularly if your compatriots have strayed.
As mentioned in previous “An Almighty Alpha” posts [project description here] dominant human individuals tend to advertise their greater status to subordinates in a number of ways: owning a larger home, occupying a larger office, driving a more expensive car, etc. These non-violent broadcasts would be equivalent to the chimpanzee’s swagger display. Why swagger? For a primate: to send the message to rivals that “I am a powerful man, you better stay away.” A simultaneous message is sent to potential mates that “I have powerful genes, and I could protect you (and our offspring).” (29) For primates, these gestural/behavioral advertisements pay. But a swaggering god? Why would a god swagger?
To show off its power. And if primates can’t have power themselves, they tend to want to “make nice” with those who do. The higher, the better.
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(26) King, Barabara. The Dynamic Dance: Nonvocal Communication in African Great Apes, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2004, p. 162
(27) Goodall, J. The Chimpanzees of the Gombe: Patterns of Behavior, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1986, p. 316
(28) Goodall, J. 1986, p. 316
(29) Power, M. The Egalitarians: Human and Chimpanzee, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991, p. 81
