Annu Rev Psychol April 2012 PMID 21943167

Religion, morality, evolution.

Paul Bloom

Mentions

25
Peak: 3 in Apr 2021
across 6 sources since Sep 2012

Extended reach

147,636
potential audience

Total likes

379

Video views

44,394

Mentions per month

Sep 2012 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • News2 articles
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect diverse perspectives on the relationship between religion and morality, with some posts suggesting that morality is socially constructed and not dependent on religious belief, as exemplified by comments dismissing the idea that religion is necessary for moral behavior. The tone varies from skeptical to inquisitive, using phrases like 'overrated' and questions such as 'Is religion necessary for morality?', indicating a broad but moderate engagement with the topic at hand.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions are mixed, with some posts supporting the idea that religion is socially constructed or questioning its necessity for morality, while others emphasize empirical evidence or scientific perspectives.

InterestModerate interest

The varied topics and references to philosophy, evolution, and morality demonstrate a moderate level of curiosity and engagement about the social and scientific aspects of religion.

EngagementModerate engagement

Users actively participate, asking questions, referencing studies, and debating ideas, showing some depth of discussion, though not deeply technical or long-form.

ImpactNeutral impact

While the discussions touch on important themes, they seem mostly informal and opinion-based, with limited evidence of widespread influence or policy impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Religion may have evolved to promote altruism within groups, helping individuals cooperate and survive.
  • Studies show religion can have both positive and negative moral effects, influencing behaviors like reducing prejudice or fostering intolerance.
  • The moral impact of religion largely depends on shared human practices, with little evidence that specific religious beliefs uniquely shape moral actions.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
J. Williams of the Corn Lands
@arcanegoat · X

@iamAtheistGirl I go back and forth on whether what I know about philosophy, apologetics, religion, morality, evolution, geology, and a billion other topics thanks to engaging about belief systems was really worthwhile. I think it's made me a better version of myself, if nothing else.

May 27, 2024 · 7 likes · 11,893 followers View post →
Diego Jadán-Heredia
@diegojadan · X

Las creencias religiosas no son las principales razones para las acciones morales. Religión y moral se vinculan por la dimensión social de la primera. En otras palabras: rezar no te hará moralmente bueno; para actuar bien no hace falta religión alguna. https://t.co/lNpVsUDDYu

May 31, 2021 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 1,445 followers View post →
Impiety
@NoHolyScripture · X

@MarkFen08382362 @DBRichard3 Humanism Created God: the secular basis of Christian values. YOU better try and provide evidence for your ridiculous claim! Even animals have morals. Please, peruse this article to understand the highly overrated relationship between religion & morality! https://t.co/jh7QG7kUNZ

Aug 25, 2022 · 1 like · 42,932 followers View post →
Missing the Forest
@MTF_Tweets · X

Abstract How did religion evolve? What effect does religion have on our moral beliefs and moral actions? These questions are related, as some scholars propose that religion has evolved to enhance altruistic behavior toward members of one’s group. https://t.co/MZuzWRkp8g

Jan 22, 2019 · 1 like · 23,776 followers View post →
خالد النفيعي
@ksultan4 · X

https://t.co/Tlf19KjJWl

Nov 4, 2019 · 1 like · 3,010 followers View post →
Nex' - Florida Jaq'
@NexJql · X

@Kalianeke https://t.co/C0HXrmF7cE

Apr 27, 2019 · 1 like · 2,601 followers View post →

All mentions

Peach Cobbler
@PeachCobbl42857 · X

@rafxo_ @ros_on_god @Solopopsss @Nightblind99 I also don’t believe that people should just hear something and completely abandon the idea. There is nothing that exist on earth that we 100% understand. Every single thing including things of religion, morality, evolution, needs to occasionally be reviewed from the roots

Dec 2, 2025 · 1 like · 2 followers View post →
ReligionsKill
@religionskill.bsky.social · Bluesky

Do You Believe This? (Trick Question) #AronRa #sundayschool #religion #morality #evolution #science #myths #atheism #atheist #faith #god

Jul 6, 2025 · 1 like View post →
Dave
@BuffaloWingDave · X

@RandomP97494379 @JayRogers24 @johnpavlovitz Atheism does not speak to religion. Just not believing in gods Atheism does not speak to religion, morality, evolution, how we got here etc The only thing atheism speaks to is not believing in gods

Mar 15, 2025 · 375 followers View post →
Moral Dynamics
@MoralDynamics · X

An old classic https://t.co/3yNJtKN7qT

Jul 11, 2024 · 193 followers View post →
J. Williams of the Corn Lands
@arcanegoat · X

@iamAtheistGirl I go back and forth on whether what I know about philosophy, apologetics, religion, morality, evolution, geology, and a billion other topics thanks to engaging about belief systems was really worthwhile. I think it's made me a better version of myself, if nothing else.

May 27, 2024 · 7 likes · 11,893 followers View post →
Impiety
@NoHolyScripture · X

@MarkFen08382362 @DBRichard3 Humanism Created God: the secular basis of Christian values. YOU better try and provide evidence for your ridiculous claim! Even animals have morals. Please, peruse this article to understand the highly overrated relationship between religion & morality! https://t.co/jh7QG7kUNZ

Aug 25, 2022 · 1 like · 42,932 followers View post →
Esteban Morales
@estebanmoralesi · X

RT @diegojadan: Las creencias religiosas no son las principales razones para las acciones morales. Religión y moral se vinculan por la dime…

May 31, 2021 · 3 shares · 44 followers View post →
Suco Castillo
@sucocastillo · X

RT @diegojadan: Las creencias religiosas no son las principales razones para las acciones morales. Religión y moral se vinculan por la dime…

May 31, 2021 · 3 shares · 9,425 followers View post →
Diego Jadán-Heredia
@diegojadan · X

Las creencias religiosas no son las principales razones para las acciones morales. Religión y moral se vinculan por la dimensión social de la primera. En otras palabras: rezar no te hará moralmente bueno; para actuar bien no hace falta religión alguna. https://t.co/lNpVsUDDYu

May 31, 2021 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 1,445 followers View post →
nothing exists
@nothing_exists · X

RT @igraju62: @bps106 The fundamental question one should ask is, Is Religion necessary for morality? “The notion that religion is a pre…

Apr 26, 2021 · 3 shares · 3,708 followers View post →
NickTrebla
@NickTrebla · X

RT @igraju62: @bps106 The fundamental question one should ask is, Is Religion necessary for morality? “The notion that religion is a pre…

Apr 25, 2021 · 3 shares · 3,377 followers View post →
Jade
@isthatstarwars · X

RT @igraju62: @bps106 The fundamental question one should ask is, Is Religion necessary for morality? “The notion that religion is a pre…

Apr 25, 2021 · 3 shares · 425 followers View post →
خالد النفيعي
@ksultan4 · X

https://t.co/Tlf19KjJWl

Nov 4, 2019 · 1 like · 3,010 followers View post →
Nex' - Florida Jaq'
@NexJql · X

@Kalianeke https://t.co/C0HXrmF7cE

Apr 27, 2019 · 1 like · 2,601 followers View post →
Missing the Forest
@MTF_Tweets · X

Abstract How did religion evolve? What effect does religion have on our moral beliefs and moral actions? These questions are related, as some scholars propose that religion has evolved to enhance altruistic behavior toward members of one’s group. https://t.co/MZuzWRkp8g

Jan 22, 2019 · 1 like · 23,776 followers View post →