jmccr8 21,367 #1 Posted January 25 So I came across this and thought I would put it up for discussion, personally I came away with the feeling that it is a process of focus not dependent on there actually being a god. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322539#_noHeaderPrefixedContent Whether or not a divine power truly does exist might be a matter of opinion, but the neurophysiological effects of religious belief are scientific facts that can be accurately measured. Here, we take a look at some of these effects, as shown by the latest research. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamer screamer 476 #2 Posted January 25 of course the brain can register GOD if it is all you think about, the brain will build it in the brain. Why they repeat everything on TV because we get used to and watch it again and again. Mobile phones are so addictive, they're god to some and can't do without it. Addiction is horrible!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #3 Posted January 25 1 minute ago, Dreamer screamer said: of course the brain can register GOD if it is all you think about, the brain will build it in the brain. Why they repeat everything on TV because we get used to and watch it again and again. Mobile phones are so addictive, they're god to some and can't do without it. Addiction is horrible!! Thanks Dreamer I hope that is all you need to say on the subject jmccr8 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XenoFish 108,377 #4 Posted January 25 (edited) It's that magical placebo effect rewiring the brain. Probably explains why my happiness level was higher back in my occultist day. All those neurochemical hits. Edited January 25 by XenoFish 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spartan max2 18,077 #5 Posted January 25 This is interesting Quote Namely, different religions activate brain regions differently. The researcher, who literally “wrote the book” on neurotheology, draws from his numerous studies to show that both meditating Buddhists and praying Catholic nuns, for instance, have increased activity in the frontal lobes of the brain. These areas are linked with increased focus and attention, planning skills, the ability to project into the future, and the ability to construct complex arguments. Also, both prayer and meditation correlate with a decreased activity in the parietal lobes, which are responsible for processing temporal and spatial orientation. Nuns, however — who pray using words rather than relying on visualization techniques used in meditation — show increased activity in the language-processing brain areas of the subparietal lobes. But, other religious practices can have the opposite effect on the same brain areas. For instance, one of the most recent studies co-authored by Dr. Newberg shows that intense Islamic prayer — “which has, as its most fundamental concept, the surrendering of one’s self to God” — reduces the activity in the prefrontal cortex and the frontal lobes connected with it, as well as the activity in the parietal lobes. The prefrontal cortex is traditionally thought to be involved in executive control, or willful behavior, as well as decision-making. So, the researchers hypothesize, it would make sense that a practice that centers on relinquishing control would result in decreased activity in this brain area. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #6 Posted January 25 (edited) 8 minutes ago, spartan max2 said: This is interesting Hi Spartan Yes I read that when I read the whole article so not sure why you have quoted this bit, care to expand on it? Edited to add yes vocalization would stimulate the brain differently as one would be using their body with their mind not sure it would not be any different than martial arts in some sense Did not see your comment at the head of the post so my apologies. jmccr8 Edited January 25 by jmccr8 added context 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hammerclaw 28,730 #7 Posted January 25 12 minutes ago, spartan max2 said: Quote The prefrontal cortex is traditionally thought to be involved in executive control, or willful behavior, as well as decision-making. So, the researchers hypothesize, it would make sense that a practice that centers on relinquishing control would result in decreased activity in this brain area. Sounds like marriage. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #8 Posted January 25 2 minutes ago, Hammerclaw said: Sounds like marriage. Hi Hammer Thank goodness someone with a sense of humor dropped in jmccr8 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hammerclaw 28,730 #9 Posted January 25 (edited) 27 minutes ago, jmccr8 said: Hi Hammer Thank goodness someone with a sense of humor dropped in jmccr8 Wasn't joking. In marriage devotion, the concept of the individual is subordinated by the concept of we. Edited January 25 by Hammerclaw 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #10 Posted January 25 12 minutes ago, Hammerclaw said: Wasn't joking. In marriage devotion, the concept of the individual is subordinated by the concept of we. Hi Hammer Guess I've been single to long I thought it was funny but on the serious side agreed. jmccr8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hammerclaw 28,730 #11 Posted January 25 It would seem to me that any repetitive behavior requiring no thought, such as standing in a production line for hours doing the same task, over and over again, would render similar results. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Walker 6,584 #12 Posted January 25 (edited) 1 hour ago, jmccr8 said: So I came across this and thought I would put it up for discussion, personally I came away with the feeling that it is a process of focus not dependent on there actually being a god. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322539#_noHeaderPrefixedContent Whether or not a divine power truly does exist might be a matter of opinion, but the neurophysiological effects of religious belief are scientific facts that can be accurately measured. Here, we take a look at some of these effects, as shown by the latest research. What I' ve been saying for over a decade The question of the existence and power of real gods is entirely separate from the question of the effects of the power of belief. One just has to avoid the trap of coming to believe that ALL encounters with"gods" are the same ie that all are a form of hallucination /imaginary construct in the brain Edited January 25 by Mr Walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #13 Posted January 25 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Mr Walker said: What I' ve been saying for over a decade The question of the existence and power of real gods is entirely separate from the question of the effects of the power of belief. One just has to avoid the trap of coming to believe that ALL encounters with"gods" are the same ie that all are a form of hallucination /imaginary construct in the brain Hi Walker Unfortunately some take offence so will n longer respond to your posts as I have no inclination to lure Habitat out by speaking to you. Edited to add deleted edit jmccr8 Edited January 25 by jmccr8 1 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Walker 6,584 #14 Posted January 25 (edited) 2 minutes ago, jmccr8 said: Hi Walker Unfortunately some take offence so will n longer respond to your posts as I have no inclination to lure Habitat out by speaking to you. jmccr8 Sad, but understandable. but its not really Hab. who is the problem. The propensity to argue with me, for arguments sake, has now seen a few threads closed down. I'll just keep posting as normal Edited January 25 by Mr Walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psyche101 42,822 #15 Posted January 25 Hi Jay Interestingly, meditation is claimed to develop certain aspects of grey matter. As I understand, focus on a certain area develops the area like any exercise develops a muscle. Made me wonder of the vocalisation Spartan mentioned might be a factor. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #16 Posted January 25 14 minutes ago, psyche101 said: Hi Jay Interestingly, meditation is claimed to develop certain aspects of grey matter. As I understand, focus on a certain area develops the area like any exercise develops a muscle. Made me wonder of the vocalisation Spartan mentioned might be a factor. Hi Psyche Yes that was in part the reason for bringing it here because it seemed just like us interacting on ourselves using a tool god, religion as a means of focusing but that does not exclude that the same effect could be developed by a none religious/god thinker using a different tool to focus with. jmccr8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psyche101 42,822 #17 Posted January 25 8 minutes ago, jmccr8 said: Hi Psyche Yes that was in part the reason for bringing it here because it seemed just like us interacting on ourselves using a tool god, religion as a means of focusing but that does not exclude that the same effect could be developed by a none religious/god thinker using a different tool to focus with. jmccr8 The god helmet by Persinger mentioned in the article already pretty much shows just that doesn't it? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joc 18,993 #18 Posted January 25 3 hours ago, jmccr8 said: Whether or not a divine power truly does exist might be a matter of opinion, but the neurophysiological effects of religious belief are scientific facts that can be accurately measured. The premise is wrong. I would gather that it is wholly wrong...neurophysiological effects are not scientific facts and nothing neurological in that sense can be accurately measured. But it is wrong also because it states...Religious Belief. Belief is belief. There is virtually no difference between Religious Belief, Political Belief, or Societal Belief. None. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Walker 6,584 #19 Posted January 25 2 hours ago, joc said: The premise is wrong. I would gather that it is wholly wrong...neurophysiological effects are not scientific facts and nothing neurological in that sense can be accurately measured. But it is wrong also because it states...Religious Belief. Belief is belief. There is virtually no difference between Religious Belief, Political Belief, or Societal Belief. None. I believe you are dead right in your second point, but wrong in your first. Science and technology has now advanced enough for us to observe the neurological /physiological processes and connections, including thoughts and emotions, inside a human brain, under laboratory conditions 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qxcontinuum 1,118 #20 Posted January 25 What religion does to your brain? It certainly makes you a better man it shows you values which can help you living a healthy and better life, happy with yourself as well with your beloved Neighbors. Problem is when man does bad things in the name of the religion, it's actions in the name of religion becomes a religion within itself and this is how perception is being skewed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hammerclaw 28,730 #21 Posted January 25 Thinking is hard; that's why most people judge. Carl Jung 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuclear Wessel 5,824 #22 Posted January 25 40 minutes ago, qxcontinuum said: What religion does to your brain? It certainly makes you a better man it shows you values which can help you living a healthy and better life, happy with yourself as well with your beloved Neighbors. IDK about you but simply just living by the philosophy of "not being too much of a dick" has worked wonders for me, as an atheist. 6 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #23 Posted January 25 4 hours ago, joc said: The premise is wrong. I would gather that it is wholly wrong...neurophysiological effects are not scientific facts and nothing neurological in that sense can be accurately measured. But it is wrong also because it states...Religious Belief. Belief is belief. There is virtually no difference between Religious Belief, Political Belief, or Societal Belief. None. Hi Joc Thanks who's premise mine or the article? jmccr8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmccr8 21,367 #24 Posted January 25 47 minutes ago, qxcontinuum said: What religion does to your brain? It certainly makes you a better man it shows you values which can help you living a healthy and better life, happy with yourself as well with your beloved Neighbors. Problem is when man does bad things in the name of the religion, it's actions in the name of religion becomes a religion within itself and this is how perception is being skewed. H Qx That is debatable the majority of people in prisons are religious so I don't see much value in your position. jmccr8 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arbenol 4,625 #25 Posted January 25 5 hours ago, Hammerclaw said: Wasn't joking. In marriage devotion, the concept of the individual is subordinated by the concept of we. Not to mention: "decreased activity in this brain area". 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites