Comments on: God on the Brain: Researchers Probe the Neural Circuitry Behind Religious Beliefs http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Keith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6316 Keith Sun, 03 Jun 2012 15:45:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6316 Yes, belief in the supernatural is "natural" to humans because we have emotions (mainly fear and hope) and imagination. But just because we can think up various fairy tales, doesn't mean that any of them are true. Science is a methodology that we use to find out the cold, hard facts of the reality which we are part of. It is impassive and indifferent to our desire for an outcome. That is why we trust scientists to provide us with the facts about reality. That is why it is irrational and irresponsible to trust preachers with regards to the facts about reality. Preachers obviously have not just an ulterior motive, but an impassioned, driving ulterior motive to dissuade people from seeking the truth about reality because they are well aware that there is no supporting evidence in any way, shape or form that any supernatural beings exist. Discovery of reality threatens their very core of existence. In order for people to believe in the supernatural, they must, by definition, live in self-imposed ignorance. People also feel the need to be "right" in their beliefs. They do not want to feel like they have been gullible all their lives. And the more people that believe the same way they do, the better it makes them feel, no matter how ludicrous those beliefs are. That is why religious people want others to believe the way they do. And because there is no logical reason for people to believe these superstitions (such as the bible), these people resort to manipulating emotions ("you will burn in hell forever if you don't stop relying on reason and believe my nonsense!"). They prey on people who are emotionally vulnerable. That is why it is so important to get into schools and indoctrinate children before they are able to examine the evidence in a rational light. Yes, belief in the supernatural is “natural” to humans because we have emotions (mainly fear and hope) and imagination. But just because we can think up various fairy tales, doesn’t mean that any of them are true. Science is a methodology that we use to find out the cold, hard facts of the reality which we are part of. It is impassive and indifferent to our desire for an outcome. That is why we trust scientists to provide us with the facts about reality. That is why it is irrational and irresponsible to trust preachers with regards to the facts about reality. Preachers obviously have not just an ulterior motive, but an impassioned, driving ulterior motive to dissuade people from seeking the truth about reality because they are well aware that there is no supporting evidence in any way, shape or form that any supernatural beings exist. Discovery of reality threatens their very core of existence. In order for people to believe in the supernatural, they must, by definition, live in self-imposed ignorance.

People also feel the need to be “right” in their beliefs. They do not want to feel like they have been gullible all their lives. And the more people that believe the same way they do, the better it makes them feel, no matter how ludicrous those beliefs are. That is why religious people want others to believe the way they do. And because there is no logical reason for people to believe these superstitions (such as the bible), these people resort to manipulating emotions (“you will burn in hell forever if you don’t stop relying on reason and believe my nonsense!”). They prey on people who are emotionally vulnerable. That is why it is so important to get into schools and indoctrinate children before they are able to examine the evidence in a rational light.

]]> By: Keith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6315 Keith Sun, 03 Jun 2012 15:30:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6315 @Kings student - Actually, if god created life, then god *must*, by definition, be part of the natural world. You don't get it both ways. Either it has effect on the natural world, in which case science can examine evidence of it, or it is purely spiritual, therefore science can't examine it, but it can't have an effect of the natural world. Brian's hypothesis that spontaneous life is mathematically impossible is ludicrous. Either he sucks at math or he sucks at biology. I suspect both because his delusion is interfering with his ability to process data properly. Life on earth started almost a BILLION earths after the earth formed. And it had the ENTIRE EARTH as a test beaker, not just a single test tube. Science is moving ever closer to determining that spontaneous life can, indeed, be explained. Brian's problem is the same problem that scientists who were believers have had for centuries - the god of the gaps. If something can't be explained right away with science, let's assume that god did it, despite the lack of ANY evidence to support that theory (read: speculation or guess, NOT scientific theory). Until that is disproved and god gets pushed yet further back into the darkness of ignorance whence it sprang. How many times does the bible have to be proven wrong before people stop believing in these ancient delusional superstitions? One other issue to point out is that evolution has absolutely nothing to do with biogenesis. These two subjects really have nothing at all to do with each other outside of the fact that evolution requires life to be in place before it can occur. Other than that, to relate the two shows an incredible level of ignorance about biology as a whole. @Kings student – Actually, if god created life, then god *must*, by definition, be part of the natural world. You don’t get it both ways. Either it has effect on the natural world, in which case science can examine evidence of it, or it is purely spiritual, therefore science can’t examine it, but it can’t have an effect of the natural world.

Brian’s hypothesis that spontaneous life is mathematically impossible is ludicrous. Either he sucks at math or he sucks at biology. I suspect both because his delusion is interfering with his ability to process data properly. Life on earth started almost a BILLION earths after the earth formed. And it had the ENTIRE EARTH as a test beaker, not just a single test tube. Science is moving ever closer to determining that spontaneous life can, indeed, be explained.

Brian’s problem is the same problem that scientists who were believers have had for centuries – the god of the gaps. If something can’t be explained right away with science, let’s assume that god did it, despite the lack of ANY evidence to support that theory (read: speculation or guess, NOT scientific theory). Until that is disproved and god gets pushed yet further back into the darkness of ignorance whence it sprang. How many times does the bible have to be proven wrong before people stop believing in these ancient delusional superstitions?

One other issue to point out is that evolution has absolutely nothing to do with biogenesis. These two subjects really have nothing at all to do with each other outside of the fact that evolution requires life to be in place before it can occur. Other than that, to relate the two shows an incredible level of ignorance about biology as a whole.

]]> By: William Hurst http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6312 William Hurst Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:38:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6312 Since there is no scientific evidence for a deity one would be logical to assume that the existence of such a deity is false. Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens would likely scratch their heads as I do at the point of this study. A belief in gods, angels, demons, goblins or fairies in the garden do not make them real no matter how much or how many people believe in such things. No more than all the faith the children in the world have in the existence of Santa Clause. Santa Clause is not real either. But you already knew that right? Since there is no scientific evidence for a deity one would be logical to assume that the existence of such a deity is false. Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens would likely scratch their heads as I do at the point of this study. A belief in gods, angels, demons, goblins or fairies in the garden do not make them real no matter how much or how many people believe in such things. No more than all the faith the children in the world have in the existence of Santa Clause. Santa Clause is not real either. But you already knew that right?

]]> By: Sheila http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6310 Sheila Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:57:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6310 They didn't find the "God spot" because they were looking in the wrong body part. Next time they may find Him if they take a look at the heart! They didn’t find the “God spot” because they were looking in the wrong body part. Next time they may find Him if they take a look at the heart!

]]> By: Victoria http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6309 Victoria Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:50:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6309 I was not able to access the full paper, but it sounds as if they did not use a control group of non-believers (and possibly a third group of people who are agnostic or have no opinion). Without this comparison, the study is severely flawed and the findings are unsubstantiated. I was not able to access the full paper, but it sounds as if they did not use a control group of non-believers (and possibly a third group of people who are agnostic or have no opinion). Without this comparison, the study is severely flawed and the findings are unsubstantiated.

]]> By: Prem Das http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6308 Prem Das Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:07:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6308 I 'd like to respond to John Carter's response no. 12 where he maintains that scientific discipline is based on observable data whereas religious beliefs are just hearsay evidence is not strictly true. The Big Bang theory is just that, a theory. Maybe not even a theory, a hypothesis. To understand the Big Bang, we have to be able to observe what it was that preceded it. We are not going to be able to do that anytime soon I warrant. I ‘d like to respond to John Carter’s response no. 12 where he maintains that scientific discipline is based on observable data whereas religious beliefs are just hearsay evidence is not strictly true.
The Big Bang theory is just that, a theory. Maybe not even a theory, a hypothesis. To understand the Big Bang, we have to be able to observe what it was that preceded it.
We are not going to be able to do that anytime soon I warrant.

]]> By: Richard http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6307 Richard Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6307 Dsfargeg Says: May 30th, 2009 at 5:57 am Isaac newton wasted a huge portion of his life examining the dimensions and details of king solomons temple, despite being heavily dissuaded by colleagues that this research was, naturally, futile and insane. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although the same cant be said of his work Principia Mathematica -m Which was one of the most influential works of science in our history. Your point is ???? Dsfargeg Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 5:57 am

Isaac newton wasted a huge portion of his life examining the dimensions and details of king solomons temple, despite being heavily dissuaded by colleagues that this research was, naturally, futile and insane.

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Although the same cant be said of his work Principia Mathematica -m Which was one of the most influential works of science in our history.

Your point is ????

]]> By: Richard http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6306 Richard Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:55:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6306 The article quite naturally creates debate, religion is such a difficult topic to discuss unless the group is of the same opinion (it would appear). Alas this is never the case, which is where I and my atheist beleifs, wish the world could adopt a live and let live policy. All I ask is that anyone with there own religious ideas keep them to themselves. I have no wish to be indoctrinated (much like ur unsuspecting children unfortunately) Look even I can get controversial and invoke anger now cant I ?? I could come up with at many theories as to why religion and its many forms developed since the fish left the water, but there is no point. Ah well I will just get on with life and try to avoid God wherever I can. Unfortunately others will try there best to interfere. Not always so peacefully either !!! The article quite naturally creates debate, religion is such a difficult topic to discuss unless the group is of the same opinion (it would appear). Alas this is never the case, which is where I and my atheist beleifs, wish the world could adopt a live and let live policy. All I ask is that anyone with there own religious ideas keep them to themselves.
I have no wish to be indoctrinated (much like ur unsuspecting children unfortunately)

Look even I can get controversial and invoke anger now cant I ??

I could come up with at many theories as to why religion and its many forms developed since the fish left the water, but there is no point.

Ah well I will just get on with life and try to avoid God wherever I can. Unfortunately others will try there best to interfere. Not always so peacefully either !!!

]]> By: Eliza Strickland http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6305 Eliza Strickland Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:36:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6305 HM -- be nice. Typos happen. I fixed it. HM — be nice. Typos happen. I fixed it.

]]> By: Hey Morons http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6304 Hey Morons Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:16:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/10/god-on-the-brain-researchers-probe-the-neural-circuitry-behind-religious-beliefs/#comment-6304 "Researchers have peaked inside the brains of religious people responding to statements about God . . . ." Ew. Does not one of you philosophers know how to spell "peeked"? “Researchers have peaked inside the brains of religious people responding to statements about God . . . .” Ew. Does not one of you philosophers know how to spell “peeked”?

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