So the guy that wrote the response was a neurotheologist - so we know where he's coming from. I looked up the guy that did the study and he has a quite different background..
But I would wonder about those who completely change extremes though in their lifetime, like from strict Christian to atheist? What, if any, changes in the brain would that be?
Apart from a trauma, I wonder why there should be any change. If there is, when does this change occur? I really can't see my hippocampus shrink or get bigger overnight! My view is that if one changes what is supposed 'core' to them it must be following a major psychological incident or a latent physical/psychological disorder. Whether 'religious fanatic' to atheist or vice versa. From atheist to theist - maybe an event the atheist with his/her limited knowledge could not (or did not want) to explain in a rational manner and therefore went the 'divine' way. The theist to the atheist - major 'how could god let this happen, he can't exist.' trauma/event.
So the guy that wrote the response was a neurotheologist - so we know where he's coming from. I looked up the guy that did the study and he has a quite different background..
The question of - Is There a Difference between the Brain of an Atheist and the Brain of a Religious Person?
You could put two die hard religious people in this type of experiment and still get pinpointed differences, simply because a person’s religious belief is not based solely on the existence of an entity, that belief is intertwined in a person’s life experiences.
What purpose could such a study garden –technically none- because the results, which are drawn from an emotion-based criteria are not permanent, a change of settings would affect the results, a change of personal events would affect the results; hell the weather could affect the results.
The DANGER is that these types of studies have been used as dialogistic behavioural tools to stand in judgment and application of a person’s treatment. Don’t believe me, look at ADD, ADHD, what use to be considered normal childhood growing pains, is now considered a medical condition requiring proof of treatment in some school cases. What if, as part of such treatment it was determined that due to the child’s brain patterns it is required that they attend a religion camp or pray sessions for 6 to 8 weeks.
How many people have picked up their guitar, their bass, sat down at the piano, got behind that mic, or simply turned on their favourite song and found solace in their existence? Finding peace within oneself is the key; this is and should always be your individual choice when seeking that the path.
SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
The thing is, puremagic, the scientific community don't really need a reason to look into anything - they just do.
Even if there were major, credible scientific studies about the brain differences between theists and atheists, with consistent and proven results, it's how the biased theist and atheist community would use those results to serve their purpose, whatever it may be.
Looking at studies of brain patterns for known illnesses/psychosis serves a purposes - a medical one perhaps. Though, as you say, even that can be used in ways that are not always the most ethical.
The thing is, puremagic, the scientific community don't really need a reason to look into anything - they just do.
Even if there were major, credible scientific studies about the brain differences between theists and atheists, with consistent and proven results, it's how the biased theist and atheist community would use those results to serve their purpose, whatever it may be.
Looking at studies of brain patterns for known illnesses/psychosis serves a purposes - a medical one perhaps. Though, as you say, even that can be used in ways that are not always the most ethical.
By your own analogy, the only purpose of this study would be publishing a paper that states being an Atheist could be considered an illnesses/psychosis. Thus, by not being religious in nature, a whole segment of society is deemed mentally sick people – not protected under the Constitution’s right to religious freedom, but a group that needs to be subjected to medication and prayer. I’m sorry, this study is no more valid to me than those study seeking to treat homosexuality with medication and prayer, yet the implications and impact of such are always far reaching into mainstream society.
SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
The thing is, puremagic, the scientific community don't really need a reason to look into anything - they just do.
Even if there were major, credible scientific studies about the brain differences between theists and atheists, with consistent and proven results, it's how the biased theist and atheist community would use those results to serve their purpose, whatever it may be.
Looking at studies of brain patterns for known illnesses/psychosis serves a purposes - a medical one perhaps. Though, as you say, even that can be used in ways that are not always the most ethical.
By your own analogy, the only purpose of this study would be publishing a paper that states being an Atheist could be considered an illnesses/psychosis. Thus, by not being religious in nature, a whole segment of society is deemed mentally sick people – not protected under the Constitution’s right to religious freedom, but a group that needs to be subjected to medication and prayer. I’m sorry, this study is no more valid to me than those study seeking to treat homosexuality with medication and prayer, yet the implications and impact of such are always far reaching into mainstream society.
SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
The thing is, puremagic, the scientific community don't really need a reason to look into anything - they just do.
Even if there were major, credible scientific studies about the brain differences between theists and atheists, with consistent and proven results, it's how the biased theist and atheist community would use those results to serve their purpose, whatever it may be.
Looking at studies of brain patterns for known illnesses/psychosis serves a purposes - a medical one perhaps. Though, as you say, even that can be used in ways that are not always the most ethical.
By your own analogy, the only purpose of this study would be publishing a paper that states being an Atheist could be considered an illnesses/psychosis. Thus, by not being religious in nature, a whole segment of society is deemed mentally sick people – not protected under the Constitution’s right to religious freedom, but a group that needs to be subjected to medication and prayer. I’m sorry, this study is no more valid to me than those study seeking to treat homosexuality with medication and prayer, yet the implications and impact of such are always far reaching into mainstream society.
Not all all - not sure how you infer that with what I said. :? There doesn't seem to be real purpose to this study. From what I can gather with the limited info on it, the guy just did it - a 'I wonder...let's see' moment. His paper did not seem to come to any real conclusion, just a few observations and had nothing to do with any illness whatsoever. I find this 'study', as it was conducted, futile.
On the other hand, there are some very serious and well conducted studies on brain patterns/development/working thereof in certain illnesses/injuries that help the medical community find cures/bypasses, etc. for these. Thinking of alzheimer's, parkinson's, stroke victims, etc.
There is also the 'greyer' area of how credible studies on the physical and 'connecting' aspect of the brain with psychosis such as criminal insanity can be used, whether for the good of the person affected or not.
yes, interesting. I dont know exactly what to make of it, but I do love saying the word "hippocampus."
Throw Medulla Oblongata in there and i'm just happy as a pig in shit.
Did you know that alligators are aggressive because of an enlarged medulla oblongata?
and heres me thinking they were aggressive cause theyre predators. go figure.
or do all predators have enlarged oblongs??? :think:
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
Comments
:oops: Yeah, my bad, I was checking out the wrong guy!
Apart from a trauma, I wonder why there should be any change. If there is, when does this change occur? I really can't see my hippocampus shrink or get bigger overnight! My view is that if one changes what is supposed 'core' to them it must be following a major psychological incident or a latent physical/psychological disorder. Whether 'religious fanatic' to atheist or vice versa. From atheist to theist - maybe an event the atheist with his/her limited knowledge could not (or did not want) to explain in a rational manner and therefore went the 'divine' way. The theist to the atheist - major 'how could god let this happen, he can't exist.' trauma/event.
But then again, who am I to say!
No - I think it's also interesting to see where the people responding and making conclusions from these studies come from.
You could put two die hard religious people in this type of experiment and still get pinpointed differences, simply because a person’s religious belief is not based solely on the existence of an entity, that belief is intertwined in a person’s life experiences.
What purpose could such a study garden –technically none- because the results, which are drawn from an emotion-based criteria are not permanent, a change of settings would affect the results, a change of personal events would affect the results; hell the weather could affect the results.
The DANGER is that these types of studies have been used as dialogistic behavioural tools to stand in judgment and application of a person’s treatment. Don’t believe me, look at ADD, ADHD, what use to be considered normal childhood growing pains, is now considered a medical condition requiring proof of treatment in some school cases. What if, as part of such treatment it was determined that due to the child’s brain patterns it is required that they attend a religion camp or pray sessions for 6 to 8 weeks.
How many people have picked up their guitar, their bass, sat down at the piano, got behind that mic, or simply turned on their favourite song and found solace in their existence? Finding peace within oneself is the key; this is and should always be your individual choice when seeking that the path.
Even if there were major, credible scientific studies about the brain differences between theists and atheists, with consistent and proven results, it's how the biased theist and atheist community would use those results to serve their purpose, whatever it may be.
Looking at studies of brain patterns for known illnesses/psychosis serves a purposes - a medical one perhaps. Though, as you say, even that can be used in ways that are not always the most ethical.
By your own analogy, the only purpose of this study would be publishing a paper that states being an Atheist could be considered an illnesses/psychosis. Thus, by not being religious in nature, a whole segment of society is deemed mentally sick people – not protected under the Constitution’s right to religious freedom, but a group that needs to be subjected to medication and prayer. I’m sorry, this study is no more valid to me than those study seeking to treat homosexuality with medication and prayer, yet the implications and impact of such are always far reaching into mainstream society.
Not all all - not sure how you infer that with what I said. :? There doesn't seem to be real purpose to this study. From what I can gather with the limited info on it, the guy just did it - a 'I wonder...let's see' moment. His paper did not seem to come to any real conclusion, just a few observations and had nothing to do with any illness whatsoever. I find this 'study', as it was conducted, futile.
On the other hand, there are some very serious and well conducted studies on brain patterns/development/working thereof in certain illnesses/injuries that help the medical community find cures/bypasses, etc. for these. Thinking of alzheimer's, parkinson's, stroke victims, etc.
There is also the 'greyer' area of how credible studies on the physical and 'connecting' aspect of the brain with psychosis such as criminal insanity can be used, whether for the good of the person affected or not.
and heres me thinking they were aggressive cause theyre predators. go figure.
or do all predators have enlarged oblongs??? :think:
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say