Lyle b steadman biography

Two anthropologists have identified a way to bridge the gap between science and religion.

Lyle Steadman, an emeritus professor at ASU, and his former graduate student Craig Palmer developed a new method to scientifically study religious behaviors through verbal communication — a project they’ve been working on for almost two decades.

The professors recently published their research in the book, “The Supernatural and Natural Selection: The Evolution of Religion.”

Steadman said the goal of their book is to examine how religion has come to be universally practiced in all societies.

“We are trying to explain how religion came to be universal and how religion has helped religious individuals leave more descendants than non-religious people,” said Steadman, an emeritus professor of human evolution and social change.

The professors concluded religious behavior can be identified as an individual c