By Prof. S.I. Rizvi
Human beings are a relatively recent addition to Earth’s long history. Scientists estimate that life began around 3.5 billion years ago. This immense timeframe is so vast that our minds, despite their remarkable capabilities, struggle to fully comprehend its enormity. To bridge this gap in understanding, we have created various constructs and simplifications to make sense of the universe and its phenomena.
The journey of evolution, which explains how life progressed over these billions of years, is rooted in minor inaccuracies during DNA replication. These variations have led to the emergence of new species, driving the diversity of life.
Humans, however, are relatively new to this timeline, with a history of about 200,000 years. Most of this period was spent in primitive conditions, more animalistic than modern. For instance, verbal communication only began roughly 5,000 years ago, and the structured languages we use today likely evolved around 3,000 years ago. What truly set humans apart and enabled them to dominate the planet was their unique ability to live and cooperate in groups.
Individually, humans possess no extraordinary physical traits. They lack natural defenses like claws or canines, are poor swimmers, and cannot easily climb trees. Their strength lies in their intelligence and their capacity to form communities. This collective power made humans resilient against predators.
To function effectively in groups, early humans needed to establish rules. These rules, enforced collectively, became traditions. Even today, modern societies follow traditions. As humanity progressed, the need for collaboration among multiple groups grew, leading to the development of shared values and norms, which we now call culture.
As communication improved and humans spread across the globe, societies expanded. Alongside this growth, the human mind sought answers to natural phenomena, many of which remained mysteries. To unify diverse groups and provide explanations, humans conceived religion. Religion not only offered answers to unexplainable questions but also acted as a unifying force. It was through religion that humans introduced the concept of God. Unlike other animals, only humans are divided by religion.
The idea of God offered comfort and explanations for the unknown. Anything beyond human understanding was attributed to God. Even today, the exclamation “Oh, my God!” reflects this instinctive reaction to wonder or disbelief.
It’s no surprise that there are over 10,000 religions worldwide, with some form of belief system present in every region. Over time, religion became a source of solace, offering solutions to human problems. However, a concept initially intended to foster unity and understanding has, in many ways, evolved into a divisive force. Many modern conflicts have roots in religious beliefs.
For religion to thrive, it required an opposing force. This led to the creation of the concept of Satan. Since neither the origins of religion nor any divine power could be directly observed, religion relied heavily on belief—a concept immune to logical scrutiny. Satan reinforced this belief by embodying opposition to God.
As these ideas evolved, faith emerged as a cornerstone of religion. Faith became an unwritten constitution for human civilization. To sustain faith, the notion of sin was introduced. Sin, often linked to Satan’s influence, represented actions contrary to divine expectations.
Despite differences among religions regarding the form of God, the concept of sin is universal. Sin became so integral to human life that every religion outlined ways to atone for it.
While debates about faith, belief, and sin persist, one undeniable truth is the allure of actions labeled as sinful. Many would agree, whether openly or silently, that breaking societal norms can be exhilarating. Imagine a world where everyone always told the truth—it might lack the excitement of a lie. Nostalgic conversations often revolve around youthful indiscretions rather than adherence to rules.
The concept of sin also inspired further imagination, giving rise to the ideas of heaven and hell, rooted in the balance of one’s deeds.
While perspectives on the origins and endurance of religion differ, there’s no denying that occasional indulgence in so-called sins adds zest to life. Without sin, religion itself might lose significance. As Mirza Ghalib aptly remarked, “Oh, Lord, I do not regret the sins I have committed, but those I never had the chance to commit.”
The author, Prof. S.I. Rizvi, is a faculty member at the University of Allahabad.