Part 2/14:
Defining Key Characteristics: What Makes Something "Religious"?
The speaker begins by delineating what constitutes a religion, highlighting five core features:
Faith-Based Belief: Adherents believe in concepts without empirical evidence, such as catastrophic futures or divine intervention, despite contrary data.
Prophecies and Prophets: Sacred scriptures, doctrines predicting outcomes, and figures who act as messengers or prophets articulate these forecasts.
Costly Signaling and Indoctrination: Engagements like reading specific texts, participating in rituals, or vocal affirmations serve to demonstrate loyalty and deepen indoctrination.
Community and Identity: Online groups create in-groups and out-groups, reinforcing shared beliefs and social bonds.