Re: The God Spots in the Brain

"Elroy Willis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Tim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in alt.atheism
>
> > Elroy Willis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> >> Tim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in alt.atheism
>
> <snip>
>
> >>> I fail to see how "neurotheology" (ROFLOL) will help anyone;
> >>> except theists who realize that there dogma is ineffective and who
> >>> attempt to use scientific means to justify their beliefs.
>
> >> How do you think they could use it to justify their beliefs, exactly?
>
> > Sunday school failed in its attempt to brainwash the masses;
>
> In actuality, it seems to have done a pretty good job here in the
> USA... At least the part of it I live in.
>
> > let's see if "science" will work instead.
>
> Do you think Persinger is a religious man for some reason?  From what
> I've read, I don't surmise that he is.
>
> > I believe that neurotheology is akin to "creation science". ie. the use
of
> > pseudo-scientific nonsense to justify a pre-excepted belief (God).
Assume
> > God and then use "science" to "prove" it.
>
> I don't get that impression from most of the neurotheologists I've
> read about.  They say some things that are obviously intended to quell
> the fears of some religious people like "We're not out to disprove
> God," or something like that, but that doesn't mean that they actually
> are trying to support the idea of some external god which exists
> outside the brains of the believers.
>

Likewise one wouldn't want to construe good science as supporting the
materialist assumption either since good science looks for good results.

Or have you found a way to show reasonably that "if God doesn't exist there
could not be god spots in the brain?"

> >>> Neuroscience and brain surgery help people; neurotheology is proof
that
> >>> religion is scrambling to justify itself. Why waste time on a dying
dog?
>
> >> I actually foresee the god helmet that Persinger uses being simplified
> >> and the components miniaturized and made available to the consumer
> >> to use in the privacy of their homes, as a meditation aid, or as a way
> >> to relax or get high without any drugs.
>
> >> Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, I don't know, but it would
> >> probably threaten the churches if people could get high on god without
> >> going to church.  The government would probably get involved as well,
> >> maybe even the FDA, who knows?  I actually wonder what department of
> >> the government might try to intervene in such a case. The helmet
> >> wouldn't really be a food or a drug, so maybe it's out of their
> >> bounds?  Hmm...
>
> > I wonder if these neurotheologists have researched non-religious
persons?
>
> What do you mean by researched?
>
> Would you be willing to try a god helmet?  If not, why not?
>
> I'm pretty sure I'd try one if they sent me one for free and were
> interested in my feedback.  If I had to buy one to try it out, it
> might be a different story.  If I tried it and I liked it, I might buy
> it as well...
>
> You can actually buy one now, at:
>
> http://www.innerworlds.50megs.com/shakti_lite/
>
> The warnings are interesting...
>
> "Use at your own Risk.
> Use with care.
> Use only the suggested session designs.
> Do Not Use If You Have a History of Epilepsy, migraine headaches, or
> Psychiatric Disorders, or if you have a damaged or compromised Brain.
> Do not use if you are taking psychiatric medications.
> If you are ambidextrous, you will need to work within some
> limitations. Click HERE to learn about them
> Do not use if you do not understand English.
> Do not use if you are less than 18 years of age."
>
> > It does not surprise me that someone who has faith in prayer can
experience
> > euphoria or whatever when they prey.
>
> Many people can't experience that when they're all alone.  They need a
> group of people gathered together, all praying together, with some
> preacher up on stage, yapping away about their god, or some central
> point of focus that they all pray to.  It's a form of mass mind
> control and hypnosis in a way.  Doing it five times a day instead of
> once or twice a week seems to be most effective in the case of Islam.
>
> Funny how many Christians flat out ignore what Jesus said about
> praying in public.  He said to go into your room or closet and close
> the door and pray all alone, like he did when he went off on his own
> to pray many times, away from his disciples or followers.
>
> > A healthy mind, I believe, promotes a healthy body and vice versa.
However,
> > none believers can have positive attitudes too. I believe this is the
crux. Positive
> > attitude, prayer, hope, huge ego - there all the same thing, but be
assured that
> > no neurotheologist quack will admit to this.
>
> I think you might have the wrong impression of the neurotheologists
> out there.  You seem to think they're trying to prove that some god
> really exists or something.
>
> > They'll preach the power of prayer and stick to it like a fly on you
know
> > what. The God spot - ha ha ha ha ha.
>
> If they were smart, they'd market the god helmet to get rid of prayer,
> if prayers are what really relax the religious people out there.
>
> "Why go to church to get your weekly god fix when you can do it
> from the comfort of your couch?"
>
> -- 
> Elroy Willis
> EAP Chief Editor and Newshound
> http://web2.airmail.net/~elo/news