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| Can God be found in the brain?; The advent of neurotheology | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 22 2008, 12:56 PM (754 Views) | |
| Denovissimus | Apr 22 2008, 12:56 PM Post #1 |
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Immortal Heretic
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Discovery of the God Module Results in New Field of Science: Neurotheology Saturday, April 19, 2008 by: Barbara L. Minton (NaturalNews) During the concentration of prayer, the encompassing peace as we draw near death, a mystical revelation, or the sense that God is talking to us, we experience the most intense experiences of our lives. Since the beginning of time, people have imbued such experiences with religious significance. But in recent years, scientists have begun to explore this spiritual realm, asking their own questions about what goes on in our brains during these extraordinary events. They have been coming up with some fascinating answers that have given birth to a new field of brain science: neurotheology, the cognitive neuroscience of religious experience and spirituality. Early Studies and Results In a vanguard experiment on the physical sources of spiritual consciousness, Michael Persinger, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience and psychology at Laurentian University in Canada, isolated an area of neurons in the brain's temporal lobes that repeatedly fire bursts of electrical activity when one contemplates God or has feelings of spirituality. Attempting to try to stimulate these bursts, Persinger isolated an area near the front of these temporal lobes, the amygdala, an almond shaped organ that infuses events with intense emotion and a sense of meaningfulness. He then passed a controlled electrical current through coils on the head of his 80 subjects, creating a magnetic field that mimicked the firing patterns of the neurons in the temporal lobes. This resulted in an induced spiritual experience. The subjects reported an "opiate-like effect with a substantial decrease in anxiety, a heightened sense of well-being" that gave them the sense of not being alone. This sense was described by some as a religious experience. At the same time While Persinger conducted his experiments, Vilayanur Ramachandran, Ph.D., director of the Brain and Perception Laboratory at the University of California at San Diego, also tuned in to the cosmic consciousness. He announced that he had discovered the 'God Module' in the brain which could be responsible for man's evolutionary instinct to believe in religion. Ramachandran and his team studied the brains of people with an unusual type of epilepsy that affects the brain's temporal lobes. The study compared epileptic patients with normal people and a group who said they were intensely religious. Electrical monitors on their skin, a standard test of activity in the brain's temporal lobes, showed that the epileptics and the deeply religious displayed a similar response when shown words invoking spiritual belief. According to the Ramachandran led research team, the most intriguing explanation is that the seizures cause an over-stimulation of the nerves in a part of the brain dubbed the God module. "There may be dedicated neural machinery in the temporal lobes concerned with religion. This may have evolved to impose order and stability on society." The results indicate that whether a person believes in a religion or even in God may depend on how enhanced is this part of the brain's electrical circuitry. The idea of a single God module is regarded by most scientists, including Ramachandran, as too simplistic. A Canadian researcher, Mario Beauregard, and his student used a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the brain activity of Carmelite nuns while they were reliving the experience of unio mystica, an intense sensation in which they report feeling the presence of God. With fMRI imaging, changes in blood flow in the brain may be monitored in almost real time. This allows researchers to see which regions of the brain become more or less active in different conditions. Beauregard observed that the nuns' ecstatic state was associated with a distinct pattern of activity in several areas of the brain. The researchers concluded that "mystical experiences are mediated by several brain regions and systems". Other researchers have probed the experiences of people with temporal lobe epilepsy with interesting results. In Switzerland, Olaf Blanke and his colleagues found that electric stimulation of specific brain regions can trigger repeated out-of-body experiences. Although these experiences are somewhat common, they were not rigorously studied until Blanke came upon a case of a woman he was treating for epilepsy. A part of the woman's brain near the junction point of the temporal and parietal lobes was stimulated with an electrode, producing the experience. Every time that part of her brain was stimulated, she described the experience as floating above her own body and watching herself. Brain Mechanisms and Religious Experience Shahar Arzy, a colleague of Blanke's, purposed that the junction between the temporal and parietal lobes may have played a part in some of the pivotal events in world religions. As Arzy and co-authors pointed out, many of the world's religions feature revelation experiences that take place on mountains. Many non-religious, non-mystic mountaineers have also had similar experiences while in the mountains. Time spent at high altitudes may affect the brain, according to Arzy, and "facilitate the experience of a revelation". Arzy suggests mechanisms that could be involved in this experience. High altitudes have a significantly reduced level of oxygen which can affect the temporo-parietal junction. Stays at high altitude, particularly in solitude, might lead to low resistance to stress and loss of inhibition. History is full of charismatic religious figures. Could any of them have been epileptics? Were the visions of Bible characters like Moses or Saint Paul reflective of temporal lobe epilepsy? There is no way to know. Researchers suggest that these issues may have played a part in one of the mystical phenomena of ancient times, the oracle of Delphi. George Papatheodorou, an emeritus professor of geology at Patras University, and his colleagues examined the narrow cave where the Delphic priestesses were believed to have delivered their messages. They found high levels of methane, ethanol and carbon dioxide in the cave's air. "The site lies on a fault where gases leak out. These gases cause an oxygen reduction that induces a mild hypnotic state that could well produce hallucinations," he told the Greek Kathimerini newspaper. Brain Mechanisms and Near-Death Experiences Neurophysiologist Kevin Nelson, a researcher at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, is exploring the powerful spiritual phenomena of the near-death experience. His results have led him to believe that these experiences may be dream-like states triggered by stress and a common sleep disorder known as sleep paralysis. When people with this condition begin to awake, part of their brain stays in the random eye movement (REM) phase of sleep. They experience inability to move, resulting in frightening hallucinations. Nelson studied 55 people who experienced near-death phenomena in a range of circumstances, including heart attacks, traffic accidents, and fainting spells. He found that about 60 percent of them reported symptoms of sleep paralysis. In a matched group of 55 healthy volunteers with no near-death experiences, only 24 percent had symptoms of sleep paralysis. Nelson concluded that his findings "anticipate that under circumstances of peril, a near-death experience is more likely in those with previous REM intrusion". Possible Conclusions Matthew Alper reports belief that these new research findings have sealed the gap between science and religion, at least for him. In his 2003 book, The God Part of the Brain, Alper says that with the advent of self-conscious awareness, humans became the first animal that could conceive of its own mortality and inevitable death. In order to survive the excruciating anxiety produced by this awareness, a cognitive mechanism was selected into us that compelled us to believe in an alternate, spiritual reality, one that allowed us to perceive ourselves as able to transcend physical death and therefore live forever in a type of afterlife. The fact that all cultures from the dawn of time have believed in some form of spiritual reality as well as engaged in specific religious practices implies that spirituality and religiosity represent an integral part of our genetic inheritance. The fact that certain plants or chemicals can trigger a spiritual experience in us demonstrates that there exists some part of the brain that is receptive to these stimuli. Alper finds support for his hypothesis in the research on temporal lobe epileptics as well as religiously-oriented "organic psycho-syndromes" in which people with head injuries, afterwards, become excessively religious. This leads Alpers to imply that there is no spiritual reality, no god, no soul, no afterlife, nothing that transcends or supersedes the physical realm, invalidating every brand of spiritual or religious belief that exists. The greater implication is that cognition, emotion, perception, and sensation are derived from our genetic makeup in conjunction with the environment in which these genetic potentials are nurtured. The fact that we have no control over either of these variables suggests that there is no such thing as free will. Needless to say, Alper has been roundly criticized for such a harsh world view. However, he sees benefits from his conclusions. As much as the religious impulse serves to bond society with mutual values and a sense of hope, it also prompts us to certain discriminatory behaviors and the commission of all sorts of hateful acts and atrocities. If religiosity is accepted as a biologically based impulse, we may be able to curb its potentially harmful excesses such as those that have led our species to acts of hostility, war and genocide. We may be able to focus our attention and energies on the here and now instead of some dubious concept of afterlife. According to the Ramachandran team, it is not clear why such dedicated neural machinery for religion may have evolved. One possibility they saw was the encouragement of tribal loyalty or reinforcement of kinship ties and the stability of closely knit clans. These scientists emphasized that their findings in no way suggest that religion is simply a matter of brain chemistry. "These studies do not in any way negate the validity of the religious experience of God," the team cautioned. "They merely provide an explanation in terms of brain regions that may be involved." Carl Kinsely, an expert in psychology and neuroscience at the University of Richmond in Virginia says the implications of research investigating the relationship between the brain, human consciousness and a range of intangible mental experiences is fascinating. "People have been tickling around the edges of consciousness and this sort of research plunges in", Kinsely said. "There is the quandary of whether the mind created God or God created the mind." He believed that any conclusions are very premature. As Ramachandran has said, "We are only starting to look at this. The exciting thing is that you can even begin to contemplate scientific experiments on the neural basis of religion and God." Sources: Science & Nature: TV & Radio Follow-up, God on the Brain The Seattle Times - Today's Top Stories National News, Oct. 29, 1997, Brain Region May Be linked to Religion by Robert Lee Hotz Life & Style Dec. 8, 2006, Neural Pathways to Enlightenment by Stephen Pincock Suite 101.com< The God Module and Humanity, Interview with Matthew Alper by Francais Tremblay Wired, Nov. 19, 1999 This Is Your Brain on God by Jack Hitt Lights Out by T. S. Wiley with Bent Formby, Ph. D., Pocket Books, 2000 About the author Barbara is a school psychologist, a published author in the area of personal finance, a breast cancer survivor using "alternative" treatments, a born existentialist, and a student of nature and all things natural. |
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 22 2008, 01:07 PM Post #2 |
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Skittle Skank
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more proof that god does not exist god is a mental disorder
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| Julesy | Apr 22 2008, 01:38 PM Post #3 |
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deliciously domestic
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I reckon science can induce any kind of reaction it wants. |
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| Denovissimus | Apr 22 2008, 02:47 PM Post #4 |
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Immortal Heretic
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That's not what I took from that article!
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 22 2008, 10:23 PM Post #5 |
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Skittle Skank
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umm dear did you actually READ the article? |
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| Auntie Maine | Apr 22 2008, 11:01 PM Post #6 |
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Bitchy Witch
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That woman wrote this book too.
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| Denovissimus | Apr 23 2008, 12:35 PM Post #7 |
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Immortal Heretic
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Well that makes her an authority on spiritual matters now doesn't it! |
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 23 2008, 01:23 PM Post #8 |
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Skittle Skank
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that is just the thing, this study is saying that what we think is spirituality are just feel good chemicals in a certain part of the brain, it is just brain chemistry, just like falling in love is. |
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| Denovissimus | Apr 23 2008, 02:01 PM Post #9 |
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Immortal Heretic
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Those chemicals allow detachment from the physical form! They are the lube between body and spirit! What a very clever mechanism the god force has created! |
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| Julesy | Apr 23 2008, 02:24 PM Post #10 |
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deliciously domestic
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I do believe love is a chemical thing, AT FIRST. The attachment that is created afterword is something else. as far as the science of it goes, it can recreate anything. even a new you (clone) so whos's to say that this God sensation in a lab is anything less false? I agree with Jesse and lol Dan at that book. From GOD to MONEY |
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 23 2008, 02:41 PM Post #11 |
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Skittle Skank
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dont make me laugh!!! I am glad that they are figuring out how some people can be such zealot blinding believers, like especially the people that are like ALL about god and worship and such, the extremely devot. At least there is now an explanation for that kind of irrationality. |
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| Denovissimus | Apr 23 2008, 02:46 PM Post #12 |
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Immortal Heretic
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Then I suppose there are chemicals in your backward assed brain to make you a stubborn goddless void sucking hell bound heathen! |
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| Julesy | Apr 23 2008, 02:51 PM Post #13 |
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deliciously domestic
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lol! Im sure Science can find out why she hates Asian food. So in sum, she cant be held accountable for her dislike of asian cuisine.Its all science!
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 23 2008, 03:07 PM Post #14 |
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Skittle Skank
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that is already explained. We dont all have the exact same taste buds. And Jesse why do you always act so offended that I dont believe in god? You dont even believe in the god of the bible or the koran and such yourself! It seems to me like you really dont even know what you believe or dont believe! |
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| Julesy | Apr 23 2008, 03:13 PM Post #15 |
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deliciously domestic
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lol I was being facetious.
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| Denovissimus | Apr 23 2008, 06:02 PM Post #16 |
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Immortal Heretic
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I do know what I believe, what I am against is your blanket atheism which does not allow room for even the thought of any type or force of god outside of the ones that current established religions vomit about. If you want to pick a fight against religion and their view of god as the monotheist blood thirsty fiend then fine, I can join that fight. But you don't seem to want to even acknowledge the possibility that there could be some force overseeing and perhaps even guiding all things in the universe. I cannot say for certain that there is a consious self aware god, but I can say for certain that there is a force of god, a power which flows through all, and it is that force to which I always refer to in my beliefs. But for you there is just nothing, and that is such a pitiful and sad way to live one's life. Atheists should just kill themselves, what's the point of living then? Living sounds selfish if you are an atheist. |
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 23 2008, 08:54 PM Post #17 |
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Skittle Skank
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I cannot say for certain that there is a consious self aware god, but I can say for certain that there is a force of god, a power which flows through all, and it is that force to which I always refer to in my beliefs. But for you there is just nothing, and that is such a pitiful and sad way to live one's life. Atheists should just kill themselves, what's the point of living then? Living sounds selfish if you are an atheist. First of all, yes I agree that there is an energy that runs through the universe, we are all made of energy, everything is. It is not any kind of god. Secondly, why is it pitiful and a sad way to live? On the contrary, it is anything but. I am never sad, I never feel lonely, I never feel detached, I never question and ponder and feel that my life is empty or meaningless. And why is that? That is because I know there is no god, therefore since my brain is able to comprehend that, I dont need some fairy, or ghost or magical being or force in the sky to give my life meaning. In fact, if a person's sole reason for living, if they believe that their entire life is to worship some god or some force, if they need that belief to have meaning in their life or to live because they have no other reason to do such, then THAT is pitiful and sad that there are people out there who cannot go on in life, who cannot live and love and be happy without a belief in some god. That is like the child who cannot go anywhere without their blankie, who cant relinguish that blankie even when they are way too old to still have such a childish attachment. And no I never had a blankie of a favorite teddy or any kind of obessed attachment to an inadamant object as a kid. And that last point you have said before and we all ridiculed you for it. Again, why do I have to be a selfish person because I do not believe in god? yes I have selfish moments, all of us do but in general, I am not a selfish person. I have done many selfless acts in my life for hundreds of people, many of whom didnt even deserve it probably. And I didnt need to believe in a god in order to do charitable things for others, to care so deeply and have such compassion for others as I do. I dont see what is so selfless about your life! |
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| la anaconda de chocolatee | Apr 23 2008, 09:03 PM Post #18 |
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Skittle Skank
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PS your whole arguement is old and weak jesse and obviously you are not as enlighted and open minded of a person as you claim to be. So just because you believe the universe has an energy force behind it that you are some great and whole person who has purpose to life? how does that give you any more of a purpose and meaning than me? You make no sense and again, your arguement is totally weak and lame. |
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| Denovissimus | Apr 23 2008, 11:14 PM Post #19 |
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Immortal Heretic
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IT IS what IT IS I don't need to repackage it in glossy modern terminologies I do think that was the biggest mistake Jesus made, trying to speak to the Jewish audience in their own terms, and in parables, rather than in plain truth, though his teachings do have them there, they are overshadowed by the religious overtones. But back to YOU bitch....I cannot argue with you on this, I see and feel your posts and know that your struggles are as a result of your stubborn and narrow mindedness. There are lessons in this life you have most definitely NOT learned, and you will stumble and fall and drag yourself through the muck over and over again, life time after life time even, until you learn. You spend too much time and energy trying to discredit and denounce The Teacher, and you pay no attention to The Lesson. You will never know or understand The Teacher until you know and understand The Lesson. |
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| Auntie Maine | Apr 23 2008, 11:55 PM Post #20 |
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Bitchy Witch
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"You spend too much time and energy trying to discredit and denounce The Teacher, and you pay no attention to The Lesson." Very well put Jesse.
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