# #70 Why Humans Believe in God - Daniel Wolne

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-uncertainty-podcast-7089022/70-why-humans-believe-in-god-daniel-wolne
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-uncertainty-podcast-7089022/70-why-humans-believe-in-god-daniel-wolne.md
Podcast: [The Uncertainty Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-uncertainty-podcast-7089022)
Published: 2026-02-06T19:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mileskdonahue.substack.com/p/70-why-humans-believe-in-god-daniel
Audio file: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/187085507/b9d88ad31caff792256cac604bfbc20a.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-uncertainty-podcast-7089022/episodes/70-why-humans-believe-in-god-daniel-wolne
Duration seconds: 4966

## Resource

Prof. Daniel Wolne explains historical theories of religion with special focus on Sigmund Freud's speculation that religious belief arises from a projection of a father figure onto the universe. We then dive into contemporary theories arising from the cognitive science of religion: theory of mind, hyperactive agency detection devices, and social function theories. Check out video of our discussion on YouTube . To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee . Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter . EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:51 Explanation vs. theory of religion 00:07:26 Methodological naturalism 00:16:48 What is "religion"? 00:27:44 Sigmund Freud - Is religion just projection of a father figure? 00:39:42 What about non-theistic religions? 00:42:09 Is religion the response to fear of death? 00:45:22 Cognitive science of religion 00:50:52 Hyperactive Agency Detection Device (HADD) 01:06:06 What is religion's social function? 01:11:56 Does cognitive science undermine religious belief? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

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## Transcript

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