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  • Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression

  • By: Hector A. Garcia
  • Narrated by: Seth Andrews
  • Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (21 ratings)

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Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression

By: Hector A. Garcia
Narrated by: Seth Andrews
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Publisher's Summary

This book uses evolutionary psychology as a lens to explain religious violence and oppression. The author, a clinical psychologist, examines religious scriptures, rituals, and canon law, highlighting the many ways in which our evolutionary legacy has shaped the development of religion and continues to profoundly influence its expression. 

The book focuses on the image of God as the dominant male in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This traditional God concept is seen as a reflection of the “dominant ape” paradigm so evident in the hierarchical social structures of primates, with whom we have a strong genetic connection.

The author describes the main features of male-dominated primate social hierarchies - specifically, the role of the alpha male as the protector of the group; his sexual dominance and use of violence and oppression to attain food, females, and territory; in-group altruism vs. out-group hostility (us vs them); and displays of dominance and submission to establish roles within the social hierarchy. The parallels between these features of primate society and human religious rituals and concepts make it clear that religion, especially its oppressive and violent tendencies, is rooted in the deep evolutionary past.

This incisive analysis goes a long way toward explaining the historic and ongoing violence committed in the name of religion.

©2015 Hector A Garcia (P)2018 Hector A Garcia

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excellent book, a game changer

historical account of man's attempt to use god to leverage his own success and dominion over his fellow man. the opening statement "god is an alpha male" rang hard clanky sounds in the Christian readers' (me) frontal cortex.

years of indoctrinal training screamed at me to turn it off, that dr. Hector Garcia was a bad man, and he was making fun of my god.

something inside compelled me to listen on, and as I listened a deep shift happened in my belief as dr Garcia went through millenia of man's religious hustle, his psychological leverage in all levels of religion and war.

Dr. Garcia quoted mountains of biblical scripture that I was already familiar with, but had never seen it in that sort of light before. after listening to the book I am still Christian, but my view around it has shifted

how this happened I can only urge the reader to listen, and I especially encourage my Christian Brothers and sisters to listen to this book as it is definitely a hard provoking indictment into our religion, and our nature as a species

thank you dr Garcia for your work

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Fascinating

Dr Garcia gives a fascinating perspective of the origins of the human mind and the correlation of religious violence and evolution. A great listen and thoroughly enjoyable.

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