The theory of evolution has led to great advances in the understanding of human behavior and has had a considerable impact on the study of religion. This essay will first show its importance in neo-atheist discourses aimed at reshaping religion as a treatment of ontological claims about the world, which can then be studied and rejected on the basis of scientific evidence. It will then discuss how the theory of evolution has also been used to explain the emergence of the religious phenomenon and its diffusion, as an adaptive trait favoring cooperation or as a parasite detrimental to the human species. The essay will finally address cognitive approaches to religion by evaluating various hypotheses about how the human mind has shaped religious beliefs. Contrary to popular misconception, Darwin's theory of evolution was not initially seen as a threat to religion and had a minor influence on the growth of atheism worldwide. the 19th century. Many Christians were able to accommodate his theory, considering it compatible with their belief in God, to the extent that the process of natural selection should not apply to humans (Wolffe, 2013, p. 17). At that time, prominent atheists did not rely on the theory of evolution to question religious dogmas. For example, Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891), head of the National Secular Society, emphasized in his speeches the very existence of evil, declaring that "either God wanted to prevent such evil and could not, or He had deliberately planned it,” which contradicted the idea of ​​an omnipotent and benevolent God (Davies, 1969, p. 126). His objections were ethical, without any reference to Darwin's theories. The situation has changed significantly over time with the emergence of a "new atheist... middle of paper ......ects". On the other hand, the theory of evolution has also been used to explain the emergence of the religious phenomenon and its diffusion: natural selection could have favored it as an adaptive trait, giving a survival advantage to the group by favoring the cooperation, but religion can also be considered an adaptive trait. a kind of parasite, harmful to humanity but capable of reproducing over generations. Furthermore, cognitive approaches have led to various hypotheses to explain the origins of religion: a parasitic consequence of overdetection by modules of the mind (Boyer), universal characteristics of human memory (Whitehouse) or rather a development system in relation to its environment. (Ingold). By offering keys to understanding the constitution of social systems, the theory of evolution constitutes a solid framework for approaching the religious phenomenon, even if its complexity will continue to give rise to controversies...