Sex, Apes, and Alpha Gods

Do big religions have “Alpha Male” gods because men want multiple sexual partners and women are sexually attracted to dominant males? If so, where did this come from? And who can we blame? Our own evolutionary psychology, says Hector Garcia. But we can behave differently. Garcia is author of the book “Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression,” and explored these topics in a talk presented last year at the national convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The Jefferson Center will present a program and discussion focusing on Garcia’s work on Sunday, March 12, at 4 pm in the Jefferson Center’s space, suite 101, in the Old Armory Building, 208 Oak St., in Ashland. It is easier to enter by going down the ramp and in the door on the north side of the building. The Jefferson Center is down the hall on the right side.

Garcia is author of the book “Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression,” and explored these topics in a talk presented last year at the national convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). He stresses “the ancient legacy of instincts that we inherited from our primate ancestors.” We are "bound to biology," he maintains, accounting for our notions of a God who inspires not only male power and dominance but also is an object of female sexual desire. It offers an understanding of current issues including regulating birth control, violence against women, and legally sanctioned murder of wives.

After viewing the video of Garcia's FFRF talk, discussion will be led by Sandra Coyner, Ph.D., longtime Jefferson Center member and emerita professor who taught history, women’s studies, and critical thinking, at several universities including Southern Oregon University. We will consider both the validity of Garcia’s claims and his use of evidence from the controversial field of evolutionary psychology.