There is a general belief that religion and spirituality are outside the scope of examination using scientific methods. I beg to disagree. Science comprises observation, theory and verification. All human experience is based on observation. In ordinary life, the result of observations, over a long period of time, is called experience. However science requires the observations to be objective, systematic, accurate making conscious effort to reduce errors by repeating the experiments and having it reviewed by peers. Similarly the difference scientific theory and others is that it constructs a theoretical model based on logic and mathematics. This model has to be consistent with the observed facts. The last stage is verification during which a prediction is made and a new experiment is done to verify whether this is correct. For instance theory of relativity predicted that light rays would bend when they pass very near the Sun. This was verified and found to be correct.
Of course we cannot establish whether God exists. But we can certainly observe human societies all over the world and periods for which historical records are available. I would suggest that we observe the following:
1. The percentage of believers and their strength of belief.
2. Individual experience of spiritual ecstasy.
3. The impact of faith on the material and mental well being of humans.
4. The impact of faith on morality and righteousness and justice.
Perhaps you can come up with more similar points, which would lend themselves to careful systematic accurate objective observation. I think any such observation will lead us to the conclusion, that majority of people in any society anywhere at any time have been strong believers and such belief has made it possible for the societies to run with equity and justice and individuals have been better off mentally and materially. I am sure that one will come across atrocities and cruelties in the name of religion. I think overall the positive factors will prevail. I believe survival of fittest would operate here also and faith survives proving that in general the gains are more than the losses.
The next step is to create a theory. This is the most difficult step in any scientific investigation. Often this occurs as flashes of inspiration to great scientists, like Newton’s discovery of gravitation or the discovery of Relativity by Einstein. I do not qualify. All the same I have attempted a theory. I would be grateful if flaws in my theory are pointed out by readers or suggestions made to improve it.
Human beings are social animals. They cannot survive unless they live in communities. When we observe the societies of bees or ants or other similar insects we find that they have a rigid hierarchy and strict rules of behaviour. Any one transgressing these will be immediately ruthlessly eliminated. These are very rigid and have remained unchanged over millenniums. But for these rules the colonies of insects cannot survive. These are internal and instinctive. Humans also need such rules for survival. If like insect colonies these rules had been programmed internally, then humans would have remained without progress just like insects for thousands of years. Flexibility and freedom are essential for progress. I am sure that there rules of behaviour internally programmed for humans also. But these are not very comprehensive and have to be supplemented by rules each society consider necessary. These are the rules of morality and rules of law. Whereas the internal rules need no implementing agency, the external ones need agency to implement them. Early on the group leader was the authority for this purpose. During the course of time the village elders, village panchayts, the chieftain of a county, the king, the Emperor and the Government became the implementing authorities. Any one familiar with law enforcement will know that 99% of people have to be obedient to law under internal compulsion not under external threat of detection and punishment. This is usually achieved by indoctrination from childhood onwards during the course of education or otherwise. Here comes the role of religion. Every religion is a moral code. Observance of the moral code is essential for the faithful to attain whatever may be their spiritual objective. The very high percentage of faithful among humans is, I think, based on an internal programme built into our genes. No religion will stand the test of rationality. One needs a very high ability to suspend disbelief to be faithful. My theory there is an inbuilt gene, which ensures this for the majority of people. There are many other essential roles that religion plays. It relieves our fear of death and life after death, it gives hope for the hopeless, it makes it possible for one feel bliss due to religious fervor which like other human moods (happiness, sorrow, grief, pain, anger hatred, etc.) needs an outlet. It satisfies the need for performing rituals, which seem to have a psychological impact on humans. I am not aware of any society, which does not resort to rituals. Even the secular Governments and the Army observe rituals on happy as well as sad occasions. Religion is the source for celebrating festivals, which play a vital role in the mental well being of people. Even class or caste divisions are rooted in religion. You go to a temple and see that VIPs are accorded temple honours. Of course, religion has also been the root cause of misery, discrimination and injustice. But this is the failure of the humans and not that of religion. Our religious Gurus have not been wise enough to evolve a truly elevating religious concept.
