Religion, Disease, and Immunology

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Thomas B. Ellis (Appalachian State University, USA) Donald Wiebe (University of Toronto Canada)

Religion, Disease, and Immunology

Thomas B. Ellis (Appalachian State University, USA), Donald Wiebe (University of Toronto Canada), Luther H Martin (University of Vermont USA) , Radek Kundt (Masaryk University the Czech Republic)

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English

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
30 November 2023

Religion & science; Infectious & contagious diseases; Immunology

Series: Scientific Studies of Religion: Inquiry and Explanation

This book argues that religion has emerged over evolutionary time as a strategy for managing the transmission, contraction, and eradication of infectious disease.

From purity and pollution codes to blood sacrifices and irrational beliefs, the book shows how religion supports not only the physiological immune system, but the behavioral and psychological immune systems as well. The book also addresses those moments when it appears that religion becomes maladaptive, that is, when religion causes “autoimmune problems,” such as celibacy and anti-vaccination.

Engaging material ranging from evolutionary and social psychology to human behavioral ecology, biological anthropology, Darwinian medicine, and religious studies, the book proposes that in order to understand the human animal’s enduring fascination with religion, one must take into account the enduring need to manage infectious disease.

By: Thomas B. Ellis (Appalachian State University USA)
Edited by: Donald Wiebe (University of Toronto Canada), Luther H Martin (University of Vermont USA), Radek Kundt (Masaryk University the Czech Republic), Dimitris Xygalatas
Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781526629241
ISBN 10: 1526629240
Series: Scientific Studies of Religion: Inquiry and Explanation
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 30 November 2023
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Thomas B. Ellis is Professor of Religion at Appalachian State University, USA.

Reviews for Religion, Disease, and Immunology

An intelligent and wholly 21st-century perspective on religion. Thomas B. Ellis masterfully explains how the behavioral immune system is causally responsible for many of the curiosities surrounding human religiosity. A forward-pointing contribution to the scientific study of religion. * Robert C. Fuller, Emeritus Professor, Bradley University, USA *