Existential security and the cultural evolution of secularisation in Mauritius

Abstract

Despite the central role of religion in human history and its continued global growth, an increasing number of individuals identify as secular or atheist across many parts of the world. Several evolutionary, social, and economic theories attempt to explain this process of decline, but most empirical tests of these theories focus on post-industrial, primarily Christian countries in the Global North. This study widens the comparative lens within a cultural evolutionary framework: we test two theories of religious change, the existential insecurity hypothesis and cultural transmission models of religion, among three religious communities (Chrisitan, Hindu, Muslim) in the rapidly transitioning population of Mauritius. Contrary to theoretical accounts, existential security variables such as neighbourhood quality, household material security, and years of education have no consistent main effect on individual religious belief and practice. Perceived valuation of education by one's religious community bolsters individual religiosity, while perceived family valuation of education reduces belief. Exposure to religious displays (CREDs) from family members positively predicts individual religious belief and practices, however household material security influences these effects: exposure to religious displays is more influential at higher levels of material security, and at low levels of security, religiosity is relatively stable. This suggests that religious socialisation within the family is critical to the transmission of religion among those with high material security. These results demonstrate how the cultural evolutionary processes that give rise to religion may be sensitive to socioecological pressures.