by 
The Evolution of Gods by Dr. Ajay Kansal
The Scientific Origin of Divinity and Religions
Title and Author: The Evolution of Gods: The Scientific Origin of Divinity and Religions
Print Length: 214 Pages
Publication Date: August 2012
Language: English
Genre: Non-Fiction, Religion and Spirituality, Scientific Study, Atheism
Blurb:
interest in the origin of humankind has been documented throughout the
recorded history. Did some divine power create the first couple?
Religious scriptures the world over aver that one or the other god gave
birth to humans, but science has not yet identified any supernatural
power that created and governed human beings. Did primeval humans come
up with the idea of gods to help them cope with their fears? Could it be
that they attributed natural phenomena — unfathomable and frightening
to them — to the working of invisible gods?
The Evolution of Gods
uses modern science to explain why, when and how religions and gods
became the desirable explanations of the inexplicable events. It
describes anthropological and historical facts about the evolution of
religions and gods, in a simple and straightforward manner, to assert
that human imagination created gods, and not the other way around.
The
book begins with the epoch when the human race came into being, between
400,000 and 200,000 years ago. Around 100,000 years ago, humans
invented language and began to discuss and analyze each happening around
them. Whatever they could not comprehend, their priest attributed to
some unseen power. At one point in time, we do not know exactly when it
happened, humankind began an activity called worship. Humans began to
worship each seen or unseen power, which was beyond their control, but
could either harm or help them. They believed that worship protected
them and sought the blessings of that power. Priests all over the world
invented almost identical methods of worship, such as folding their hands, bowing, kneeling, flower offering, prayers and sacrifices.
For
example, anthropologists have drawn that ancient humans had largely
inadequate protection against cold; their survival largely deepened upon
available sunlight—something beyond their control. In that scenario,
solar worship was a logical outcome. In a similar manner, the humans
found thunder and lightning inexplicable and frightening. Gradually,
they began to worship the sky as god. There is enough historical
evidence to assert that the ancestors of Hindus, Buddhists, Jews,
Christians and Muslims, before their religions came into practice,
worshipped the sun and the sky. Thus, history demonstrates that whenever
humankind faced a new challenge, priests invented a more useful deity
and consigned the older one to oblivion.
For example, around three
thousand years ago, cultivation provided several facilities to humans
that paved the way for a population explosion. At the same time, farming
exposed people to pets, rodents, mosquitoes, houseflies and parasites.
All these factors together gave rise to altogether new diseases such as
cholera, tuberculosis, typhoid and plague. Apart from these diseases,
population explosion also gave rise to social diseases such as poverty,
inequality, injustice, crime and exploitation. All these together forced
people to lead a miserable life no better than hell.
time, a few geniuses such as the Buddha, Moses and Jesus discovered the
causes and remedies of human sufferings. For example, Moses suggested
ten morals, sacrifices and prayers to protect people from their
miseries. The contemporary priests transcribed prayers, rituals, myths,
allegories and morals preached by these prophets after their death. The
Holy Scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Bible were the compilations
of such writings. These books advised worship, sacrifices, magic or
morals to eradicate human miseries. The Suffering masses had no option
but to follow those advice. These scriptures fashioned the organized
religions of today.
Let us think for a moment why there are many
religions and there is only one science on the Earth. There is one
concrete reason behind this irony; about one thing or concept there is
only one truth but there can be many lies. This book is an effort to
light a candle in the darkest corner of human consciousness.
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is his first book and the only book written by an Indian author on the concept of the existence of God which talks of all religions and is not based on any one particular form of it. His next work is a romance which is currently in progress.Follow The Author:
- 5 ecopies of the book The Evolution of Gods up for grabs. Open INT.
- 5 Paperback copies of the book The Evolution of Gods up for grabs. Open to India only.
- 10 copies of the book The Evolution of Gods up for grabs on Goodreads.
- Giveaway open internationally.
Promo Tour Schedule:
15th May – Kisha @ Indie Author How-to – Top Tens {Stop 1}
Privy Trifles @ Reviews and Musings – Spotlight {Stop 2}
16th May – Sundari Venkatraman @ Flaming Sun – Spotlight {Stop 1}
Privy Trifles @ Reviews and Musings – Interview {Stop 2}
17th May – Privy Trifles @ Reviews and Musings – Guest Post
18th May – Laki @ Laki Loves Indies – Spotlight
19th May – Rubina @ The Book Club – Spotlight & Guest Post
20th May – Jillian @ Jillian’s Books – Guest Post {Stop 1}
Juli @ A Universe in Words -Spotlight {Stop 2}
21st May – Nikita @ Njkinny’s World of Books & Stuff – Spotlight & Interview
Tour Organizer:
Interesting. Have always wondered about the evolution of God and religion. Would definitely like to read the book.
Yes, the book will surely challenge your notions. I have read it and found it very engaging. 🙂
Do participate in the giveaway for a chance to win the book.. 🙂
Participated. But I had a problem. I had tweeted about the giveaway on 15 May 2014 and today the 17th. Details of tweet URL is –
15th May – https://twitter.com/geetaavij/status/467013104090357760
17th May – https://twitter.com/geetaavij/status/467539165706330113
However I find that I am yet to receive 2 entries for the tweet of 15th. My total entries after today's tweet should be 12 instead of 10 registered.
The message that popped up when I entered the tweet details on 15th was, " Aw, shucks. We didn't get your entry." Request you to help out.
Dont worry Geeta.. I got the entry.. Have added it..May not show in the total though… Keep tweeting and may you win..:)