"One prominent theory, the big or moralizing gods hypothesis, assumes that religious beliefs were key. According to this theory people are more likely to cooperate fairly if they believe in gods who will punish them if they don't. "To our surprise, our data strongly contradict this hypothesis," says lead author Harvey Whitehouse."

Well well, so much for the tedious line of apologetics that keeps claiming true morality is negated by secularism. Some atheists have maintained this was not true publicly for some time of course. Christopher Hitchens often pointed out that morality was not derived from religion, but preceded it.

Saporro quoted: "Complex societies gave birth to big gods, not the other way around."

And this is a statement I have had many theists attempt to argue against. And miserably fail.

Sheldon: "Christopher Hitchens often pointed out that morality was not derived from religion, but preceded it."

Yep. As I have always said, morality actually began with the Australopithecines. There is evidence they gathered together realizing there is strength in numbers. And with gathering together for the "strength in numbers," morality was a given to occur.

Calilasseia: "blew supernaturalist pretensions out of the water with a nuclear depth charge."

As has been done for centuries for most pretensions, yet theists will still use those DEBUNKED pretensions and presuppostions. Does not speak so well for theist intelligence...

Sheldon: "At least we can link this thread everytime they breeze in here to lie about religion having moral ascendancy."

The only ascendency theists/religions have is immorality. In fact, that is all they have. "How to live the most immoral life yet appear to be moral."

Talyyn: "For christians specifically, how do they explain that for almost two thousands years, christianity supported unequal, unegalitarian, authoritarian, and bigoted societies?"

Yep. That is why my only bigotry is against those bigots.

David Killen: "We all know that when push comes to shove, they fall back on their holy book as the reference for history, everything else must bend to fit into that work of fantasy and fiction."

Yeah. It has amazed me how they can believe in something that has been proven to be completely wrong using evidence gathered from outside the source of those unholy plagiarized books of myths and legends. [[[[[[ ((((((Utter Bullocks)^∞)^∞)^∞)^∞)^…)] ^∞]^∞]^∞]^∞]^…] ^… … … .

rmfr

I've always thought as such, but furthermore, I also believe this is how morality evolved... through social structures.