Prosocial religions outcompeted rivals through group solidarity advantages in warfare

Evidence

Seen in this light, it is not surprising that prosocial religions have been a major force shaping human history. When intergroup rivalries are strong, prosocial religious groups, with their Big Gods and loyalty practices that promote social solidarity, could have a competitive edge over rival groups. And when prosocial religions outcompete or absorb other rival groups, their beliefs and practices proliferate, explaining why most people today are descendants of such groups. — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 464

Categorization

• XREF: Recapitulates the chapter’s core cultural-evolution claim integrating Big God psychology, costly loyalty signals, and intergroup selection.