rosborne979 wrote:Treya wrote:What separates the religious from the non-religious?
Certain thought processes are more comfortable for some people than others. I believe that all people will eventually settle on a way of thinking that is most comfortable for them.
The particular thoughts that a person finds most attractive are the result of a combination of nature and nurture, biology and experience.
I haven't found anyone yet who dislikes their own viewpoint.
To be specific, some people prefer logical construction and analysis, and are uncomfortable with subjective emotional motivations. Other people are drawn to the warmth of emotional feeling and trust them even though they are subjective and frequently in conflict with logic.
I have always asked the question differently: Why do some people belive in magic and others don't? Avoiding the intricacies of religious dogma, the root of the question comes down to whether you believe you are capable of understanding the world around you (naturalism), or whether you believe the world exceeds your ability to understand (supernatural). Religious and non-religious beliefs aline along those basic lines.
That's a cool way of looking at it rosborne. Did you read the article that Mills linked us to? What do you think about the changes in the brain due to these spiritual experiences?
Mills75 wrote:Treya wrote:What do you think the chances are of it being scientific? Like a chemical imbalance in the brain or something? Is that too far of a stretch?
Actually, I read an article in the
New York Times some months ago that discussed scientific findings suggesting a biological basis for religious/spiritual experience. Apparently, humans are hard-wired to have these experiences. I was unable to find that article quickly, but this link briefly mentions similar research:
http://www.upenn.edu/researchatpenn/article.php?323&soc
(It would be best to c & p this url--clicking on it doesn't seem to work properly.)
Wow that was a really interesting article Mills! Thank you for sharing. That's right along the lines of what I was wondering about. Hey... if you find that other article would you mind giving me a link? I'd really like to read it. Or if you remember the name of the article I could help you look for it too. Did anyone else read that?
Thomas, your perspective is very interesting. I never thought of it that way before. I understand what you are saying about the difference being too small yet I find it pretty interesting. Mostly because I've been on both sides of the fence I guess and it would be interesting to me to figure out, if it is possible that is, where those "spiritual experiences" came from. Do you know what I mean?
Maporsche, that kind of lines up with what rosborne was saying. Somewhere along the lines of people looking for something that's comfortable. That fits their needs. Though I find it interesting that the parents wouldn't be very concerned with themselves being "protected" before having their baby. So let me ask you this... why do you suppose that though they apparently thought they were doing pretty good protecting themselves...they suddenly think they will be unable to protect their own child and need to turn to God for that?
