Agriculture gave rise to cities, writing, art, and religion. Think again.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Seems that way, until we find a bucket and garden hose that precedes that temple.

 

[Mise]

Wow, what a great article!

 

[innonimatu]

Haven't read the article yet, though it seems the OP is confusing the cause and the result.

Agriculture allowed greater population densities, and these populations then developed cultural practices which at that time helped them organize themselves. Organized religion as a step above tribal/customary religion was a part of that process.

In any case, it changes nothing about what religion is - a huge stinking pile of dung. I don't care how much art it inspired or how many great cathedrals were built because priests were efficient at collecting money from peasants, it doesn't make religion true and you should never lose sight of that.

And we manage to agree on something again!