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Religion as Cognitive Malfunction
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Scientific research using functional MRI has shown that religious experiences mainly involve the temporal lobes of the brain.
Epileptic seizures in the temporal lobes have also been shown to be associated with hyper-religious experiences. Some researches consider that the religious revelations of "prophets" such as Abraham and Mohammed are nothing more than epileptic seizures in this area of the brain.
Epilepsy can be induced in some people by repeated, rhythmic sensory input such as flashing lights.
Religious rituals often involve repetitive movements, repeated chants and actions. For example the nodding of the Jews at the Wailing Wall and those who study the Qu'ran, the repeated phrases and the swinging incense burners of other churches.
The parallels with hypnosis are obvious. Hypnosis is also capable of inducing the patterns imprinted during the hypnosis at other times given the right stimulus being imprinted during the hypnosis.
Is religion really about trying to reproduce some of the cognitive dysfunctionality of temporal lobe epilepsy that caused the hyper-religious experiences of the founders of their sects? Does it also imprint the triggers for those mental patterns to reemerge during otherwise normal behaviour?
Does this patterning fit what we see in the religious where they can barely string two sentences together without launching into copious quoting from their religious texts, while clearly oblivious to the irrationality of what they are saying?
Is it right that the religious should be allowed to expose children to these practices, knowing that it is specifically aimed at causing profound cognitive dysfunction?
Epileptic seizures in the temporal lobes have also been shown to be associated with hyper-religious experiences. Some researches consider that the religious revelations of "prophets" such as Abraham and Mohammed are nothing more than epileptic seizures in this area of the brain.
Epilepsy can be induced in some people by repeated, rhythmic sensory input such as flashing lights.
Religious rituals often involve repetitive movements, repeated chants and actions. For example the nodding of the Jews at the Wailing Wall and those who study the Qu'ran, the repeated phrases and the swinging incense burners of other churches.
The parallels with hypnosis are obvious. Hypnosis is also capable of inducing the patterns imprinted during the hypnosis at other times given the right stimulus being imprinted during the hypnosis.
Is religion really about trying to reproduce some of the cognitive dysfunctionality of temporal lobe epilepsy that caused the hyper-religious experiences of the founders of their sects? Does it also imprint the triggers for those mental patterns to reemerge during otherwise normal behaviour?
Does this patterning fit what we see in the religious where they can barely string two sentences together without launching into copious quoting from their religious texts, while clearly oblivious to the irrationality of what they are saying?
Is it right that the religious should be allowed to expose children to these practices, knowing that it is specifically aimed at causing profound cognitive dysfunction?
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This question is based on an extremely tenuous premise viz; //Scientific research using functional MRI has shown that religious experiences mainly involve the temporal lobes of the brain.
Epileptic seizures in the temporal lobes have also been shown to be associated with hyper-religious experiences. Some researches consider that the religious revelations of "prophets" such as Abraham and Mohammed are nothing more than epileptic seizures in this area of the brain.//
The temporal lobe has several functions, including regulating hearing, processing visual inputs, making sense of verbal material such as speaking and reading, and storing long-term memories. The temporal lobe also contributes to your personality and is important in your sexual functioning.
In addition, your language functions are directed by the temporal lobe. Even understanding music and appreciating art, which are non-verbal communications, starts in the temporal lobe.
Why on earth are "religious experiences" being singled out?
Epileptic seizures in the temporal lobes have also been shown to be associated with hyper-religious experiences. Some researches consider that the religious revelations of "prophets" such as Abraham and Mohammed are nothing more than epileptic seizures in this area of the brain.//
The temporal lobe has several functions, including regulating hearing, processing visual inputs, making sense of verbal material such as speaking and reading, and storing long-term memories. The temporal lobe also contributes to your personality and is important in your sexual functioning.
In addition, your language functions are directed by the temporal lobe. Even understanding music and appreciating art, which are non-verbal communications, starts in the temporal lobe.
Why on earth are "religious experiences" being singled out?
If goodlife is flouncing on us, may I remind him that he needs to fill one of these in before returning to attempt to brainwash us and move his scorecard:
http://
(author - snags - who ain't no JW - I think?)
http://
(author - snags - who ain't no JW - I think?)
I think there are some people with brain disorders who have religious experiences as a result (e.g schizophrenia).
However, as jtp said, it's a bit naughty to turn that around to conclude that because some of the insane are religious, the religious are basically all insane.
It's more like the 'suspension of disbelief' that happens in order for you to be able to enjoy watching a film. I think that's what's really going on.
However, as jtp said, it's a bit naughty to turn that around to conclude that because some of the insane are religious, the religious are basically all insane.
It's more like the 'suspension of disbelief' that happens in order for you to be able to enjoy watching a film. I think that's what's really going on.
-- answer removed --
What I am saying is that the goal of the hypnotic rituals in religious practices is to induce the same kind of cognitive malfunction that beset those who founded the religions.
Abraham was about to murder his son when he had his "moment of enlightenmemt." Mohammed went of in a cave and many thought he had gone mad.
When I see those who are screaming murderous revenge for "insults against their prophet" I find it difficult to not see cognitive malfunction.
Abraham was about to murder his son when he had his "moment of enlightenmemt." Mohammed went of in a cave and many thought he had gone mad.
When I see those who are screaming murderous revenge for "insults against their prophet" I find it difficult to not see cognitive malfunction.
// When I see those who are screaming murderous revenge for "insults against their prophet" I find it difficult to not see cognitive malfunction. //
I don't necessarily. I see stupidity, ignorance, nastiness, and a mindset mired in medieval peasantry. Of course, if all that's all directly as a result of cognitive malfunction, then we're saying the same thing.
I don't necessarily. I see stupidity, ignorance, nastiness, and a mindset mired in medieval peasantry. Of course, if all that's all directly as a result of cognitive malfunction, then we're saying the same thing.
I think, of your list ludwig, the one word which encompasses every other is 'ignorance' or better still would be 'delusion', the opposite of which, and the antidote to, is 'wisdom', the path to this would start with education. 'Cognitive dysfunction' implies a malady which is beyond correction by the sufferer, and as you say above, is therefore somehow excusable.
// 'Cognitive dysfunction' implies a malady which is beyond correction by the sufferer, and as you say above, is therefore somehow excusable. //
An explanation perhaps, but not an excuse. Responsibility is implied whether or not one chooses to or is incapable of acting responsibly and whether of not it was ones intention to do harm. Those who are incapable of acknowledging responsibility for their actions should not be given free reign to wreak havoc and are certainly not worthy of anyone's worship, praise or exaltation, however strongly the allusion of irresponsibility portrayed by the insane might appeal to their mindless followers.
An explanation perhaps, but not an excuse. Responsibility is implied whether or not one chooses to or is incapable of acting responsibly and whether of not it was ones intention to do harm. Those who are incapable of acknowledging responsibility for their actions should not be given free reign to wreak havoc and are certainly not worthy of anyone's worship, praise or exaltation, however strongly the allusion of irresponsibility portrayed by the insane might appeal to their mindless followers.
I think the cognitive malfunction that is religion is excusable to some extent. I don't think that those so deluded are behaving as they do out of an intrinsic sense of malice. They think they are doing good.
It is simply that they minds have been damaged by religious practices. Unfortunately in most cases there is little chance of them breaking the cycle of ignorance.
What upsets me is that children with perfectly good minds are being drawn into this with the intention of crippling their brain function too.
To some extent those who stand back silently and let it happen to another generation of children are guilty by negligence. Our children have a right to protection and information.
It is simply that they minds have been damaged by religious practices. Unfortunately in most cases there is little chance of them breaking the cycle of ignorance.
What upsets me is that children with perfectly good minds are being drawn into this with the intention of crippling their brain function too.
To some extent those who stand back silently and let it happen to another generation of children are guilty by negligence. Our children have a right to protection and information.
beso; // those who stand back silently and let it happen to another generation of children are guilty by negligence. Our children have a right to protection and information.//
I concur with you absolutely on this, it is in fact one of the few things with which I am in agreement with the 'Archbishop of Atheism'; R.Dawkins.
Children should not be brainwashed into any religion, they should be allowed to see and learn the wonders of nature, and on reaching maturity decide which, if any, religious path they want to follow.
I concur with you absolutely on this, it is in fact one of the few things with which I am in agreement with the 'Archbishop of Atheism'; R.Dawkins.
Children should not be brainwashed into any religion, they should be allowed to see and learn the wonders of nature, and on reaching maturity decide which, if any, religious path they want to follow.
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