Part 1 Evolution of Religion, Dr. Sarah Strand, Psychology of Religion

Dr. Sarah Strand created her course Psychology of Religion for California State University Sacramento after speaking to community groups around Northern California and Nevada for ten years.

Agenda:
2:55 pm ~ 3:05 Socialize in small group breakout rooms < for members to chat about what they hope to get out of this event.
3:08 pm < Everyone returns to the main room.

3:10 pm ~ 4:oo pm Presentation, Please use Q&A section.
4:00 pm ~ 4:10 pm Socialize in small group breakout rooms < members to chat about the event.

4:10 pm ~ 4:40 pm Q&A in the main room with Dr. Sarah Strand
4:40 pm ~ 5:10ish pm Optional socializing in the main room or breakout rooms.

Bay Area Humanist is hosting the three-part series on these dates:
1. August 5, 2023 Evolution of Religion
2. November 4th, 2023 "Neurobiology of Religious Experiences"
3. February 3rd, 2024 "The Neurobiology of Morality"

These events, plus daily operations, are supported solely by donations. All Board Members are unpaid. Please donate or join as a BAH member to keep the community growing: https://sfhumanists.org/donate/

Part 1 (Evolution of Religion):

In The Evolution of Religion, Dr. Sarah Strand will discuss why religion has been present in human society since the dawn of mankind. The theory of natural selection, which was developed by Charles Darwin and is the principle on which genetic evolution is based, will provide a springboard for a description of the evolution of ideas, culture, and religion. Next, Sarah will discuss the psychological origins of religion, showing that human brains are built to believe in the supernatural. Sarah will conclude the presentation with evidence of how religion has “survived” by expanding and adjusting to changes in culture, a.k.a. its “environment.”