Question

What role might religion have played on the increased population when men was first setteling into cities instead of being nomadic?

Answer 1

The need to have a stable church home would be a reason for growth to be more in cities instead of nomadic behavior. The purpose of church was and is to worship together in fellowship. The settlers weren't able to rely on eachother when they were all separated.

Answer 2

Paganism (multiple gods) was the rule when cities started to form. Each subsystem or neighborhood would have beliefs to promote and support their lifestyles and goals. Religious tolerance was important in order for people to get along in these close knit societies. People supporting more than one god were the rule (the 12 signs of the zodiac is an example). The leaders of the larger groups would have to support to some extent all the relevant religious beliefs in order to get anything done. Some local leaders were soon able to raise their status by influencing the various religious leaders within a majority of the religions. Thus large regional cultures developed with dictatorial leaders. This lead to a state religion in the tribe with the most popular and powerful god being the sun god in the desert areas. This favored religion would be able to control the population to some extent by developing myths to support their beliefs, thus directing the goals and energy of the people and cementing their power. This lead to trade, culture, monetary value, police, war, etc. And larger empires and cities soon developed.

Answer 3

@emily11luna...What role might religion have played on the peoples of an expanding population now beginning to live in close proximity in agricultural/civilized lifestyles, as opposed to the role religion might have played on humans living nomadic/tribal lifestyles? Are you asking if there is an influential difference in the impact religions have on civilized people in contrast to the impact religions have on nomadic people? I like the question and understand the need to explore it (our mythological history is there), I just want to be sure I'm understanding what you're asking.