The forms of our thinking, the way we gauge the correctness of ideas, and how we structure them, depends on religion.

Why not, when religious thought is the basis of science, it is transcendental. When science is the basis of religious thought, it transcends the transcendental?

Alwielland Q. Bello The concept and social function of religion can be understood, in part, as a system designed to shape human behavior—encouraging individuals to act in ways that reflect shared moral and social values. This stands in contrast to our more primal instincts, which are rooted in evolutionary survival mechanisms.

At a neurological level, the brainstem—an evolutionarily ancient structure—prioritizes survival, much like in other animals. It regulates basic autonomic functions (e.g., heart rate, respiration, fight-or-flight responses) and does not concern itself with moral reasoning or social norms.

Humans, by default, are equipped with instinctual drives that could be described as “animalistic”—focused on self-preservation, dominance, and immediate gratification. Religion, as a cultural institution, historically served to condition or guide these impulses, encouraging behavior that aligns with what societies define as “human” values: cooperation, restraint, empathy, and accountability.

In this view, religion plays a regulatory role—acting as a framework that channels base instincts into socially acceptable conduct.