This reading was quite long, repetitive, and yet interesting. According to this, many scientists now believe that "spiritual experience is a trick of the brain" caused by either of the following: injuries, brain abnormality, or applied magnetic fields. The specific area of the brain responsible for these brain simulations is the temporal lobe and it has been identified as the "God Spot". Studies have shown that alteration to this part of the brain caused a “sense of presence” or “feeling of another entity”. This raised questions such as whether religious prophets or leaders had actual visions or experienced real occurrences, or if it were merely epileptic seizures that altered their temporal lobe allowing them to feel that “presence”. The reading then explores several examples of epilepsy patients that had an increased sense of spirituality during or right after their episodes.
But, from these examples, can we deduce that temporal lobe activity determines a person's sense of spirituality or a person’s attachment to a specific belief just because there’s a clear correlation between temporal lobe activity and a “sense of presence”? According to the reading, these scientists are not necessarily saying that their studies negate the existence of God. Rather, they are exploring the option that spirituality doesn’t act alone; feelings experienced by people can be due to both brain activity and a higher power.
Personally, it is quite interesting to see that activity in a specific part of the brain can be responsible for so many things. Though the correlation is quite interesting, I, However, don’t believe nor see it scientifically possible to prove that brain activity IS the cause for belief or disbelief in God. nevertheless, it is possible that this correlation is one step forward to understanding the basics of spirituality.
But, from these examples, can we deduce that temporal lobe activity determines a person's sense of spirituality or a person’s attachment to a specific belief just because there’s a clear correlation between temporal lobe activity and a “sense of presence”? According to the reading, these scientists are not necessarily saying that their studies negate the existence of God. Rather, they are exploring the option that spirituality doesn’t act alone; feelings experienced by people can be due to both brain activity and a higher power.
Personally, it is quite interesting to see that activity in a specific part of the brain can be responsible for so many things. Though the correlation is quite interesting, I, However, don’t believe nor see it scientifically possible to prove that brain activity IS the cause for belief or disbelief in God. nevertheless, it is possible that this correlation is one step forward to understanding the basics of spirituality.
Let me say that I agree, that I dont know that any brain activity can directly coorelate to the belief or lack of belief in God. I would step back however and say that it can directly effect the deepness bin which we interact with God. For people with a particularly active temporal lobe, I'd say that they might have physical sensations associated with their praying, in a way that others do not. I dont know that I'd feel comfortable affiliating epilepsy with the spiritual aftershock. I think it would be too haste to do so, as many people experience spiritual revitalizations after illness or any shocking life-event.
ReplyDeletePerhaps an affiliation does exist between the temporal lobe and spirituality, but to limit strictly to that, I would believe to be dangerous.
Like most neuro-theological research, the results of "Fingerprints of God" is highly inconclusive. Like Newberg's research, its ultimate conclusions for theology are tentative. However, both may end up making headway into a new understanding of how spirituality works; in the meantime, the research provides something to think about. As a Catholic, I found some of the perspectives troubling, but I also think that it's important to look at both sides of an issue to see what they bring to the table. The issues brought up in the broadcast were largely the same in addressing the "mind/body" problem, and made me wonder once again just how the spiritual ends up interacting with our brains and synapses and body chemicals.
ReplyDeleteI agree I dont think that brain activity can disprove or prove the existence of God. The and the experiences of the author were definitely interesting. I could imagine I would be thinking the same exact thing if I was having prophesies read about her. "This is weird, get me out of here."
ReplyDeleteShe also definitely leaves the discussion open. In that way it's good it makes you think. But, the reading was a bit disappointing.