Neurotheology

[Gregory Matthews]

Neurotheology:  What is it?  See:

http://www.andrewnewberg.com/

[Outta Here]

I'd love to know what he'd find with a scan of EGW's brain.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

The following is another link to this subject:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52402ca4e4b0b7dd2fafe453/t/57166a8b22482e87df44b2d1/1461086859894/the-neurotheology-link.pdf

Aubrey, why not take it one step further:  How would a scan of EGWs brain compare with a scan of the Pope--or name your choice for a religious figure? 

E.G. Billy Graham?

 

[Outta Here]

I was kind of thinking of what the scan would look like when she was in her vision trances. 

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I also think it would be interesting to see an fMRI of EGW during a vision.

[B/W Photodude]

3 hours ago, Gregory Matthews said:

Aubrey, why not take it one step further:  How would a scan of EGWs brain compare with a scan of the Pope--or name your choice for a religious figure?

That would in all likelihood be a HIPAA violation. Just sayin'.

[Gregory Matthews]

As some are alive, it would not violate HIPAA if they gave permission.

To give a MRI to EGW, she would have to be alive and  have given permission.

 

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

honestly, I can't imagine a devout Tibetan monk or other highly religious people accepting the invitation to have an fMRI done whilst meditating or praying, knowing someone from the "outside" is studying the biological happenings of a deeply spiritual event.  

[Outta Here]

4 hours ago, Gregory Matthews said:

As some are alive, it would not violate HIPAA if they gave permission.

To give a MRI to EGW, she would have to be alive and  have given permission.

 

 

Sometimes, I just have to wonder...did you really think this was something I needed explained? </scratches my head in wonderment>

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I can vouch for Aubrey that she has not just fallen off of a turnip wagon!

[Gregory Matthews]

Aubrey asked below:

Aubrey, my response was not directed to you.  It was directed toward another person.

Sometimes, I just have to wonder...did you really think this was something I needed explained? </scratches my head in wonderment>[/quote}

 

[debbym]

altered consciousness in various religious experiences, and also various exercises of dance and trance activities that are none religious, is one of the reasons my son has determined that all religion is just humanly generated experiences.  He remains agnostic as in, he cannot say there is or is not a God, though he leans towards atheism.

 

i honestly understand why.  I do believe the vast majority of religious experience in the world is  from forms of self generated altered states.

[B/W Photodude]

Neurotheology is something I have been interested in for some time, but some of
the ideas in this article were concerning for where this new "discipline" is
going.

Quote

For the term neurotheology as a concept to work, however, we need to define both
parts of that term—the “neuro” side and the “theology” side—very broadly. For
the neuro side, this has to include not just neuroscience, but psychology,
anthropology, and medicine in general, as well as other areas of study that are
involved in how our brains and our bodies interact. In terms of the theology
piece, this also needs to be defined very broadly. Theology is a very specific
field, which is focused on studying primary religious texts and religious ideas.

 

If psychology, anthropology, and medicine in general are going to be dragged
into the "discipline", then it seems that it needs a name other than
neurotheology. Of course, this is a minor point, but accuracy in the sciences,
to me, is desirable.

Quote

While these questions are a part of the neurotheology concept, this area of
study also needs to include spirituality, rituals, be- liefs, and practices,
such as meditation and yoga and other dis- ciplines that help us to be spiritual
as well.

Oe concern is the attempt to give scientific credibility to belief systems other
than Christianity. How far do we want to go with legitimatizing non-Christian
religions. Can a practioner of communicating with the dead give valid scientific
information?

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/03/16/long-island-medium-theresa-caputo-had-her-brain-tested-to-prove-has-gift.html

Quote

A large body of research shows that all of these activities have a tremendous
effect on human beings. For example, many studies have demonstrated that
religious and spiritual practices have a beneficial effect on human psychology
as coping strategies, and also in terms of feelings and mood. Such activities
also have been shown to benefit our bodies, reducing blood pressure [BP] and
heart rate

---

while improving our immune systems. ... Of course, there is no
medication that is perfect or that answers every problem in medicine. Similarly,
there is no meditation or prayer practice that is going to solve every problem.
However, trying to figure out some of the specifics is what the field of
neurotheology research is focused on.

On a clinical level, research over the last 15 years has shown that many
different types of spiritual practices or spiritually derived practices, such as
meditation and prayer, have significant clinical and brain effects.

And when practices from non-Christian beliefs seems to have a beneficial effect,
will we incorporate them into Christian practices?

Quote

Each person needs to explore and find the practices and approaches that work
best for him or her. To some extent, each person needs to take stock in who he
or she is as a person.

Are all practices acceptable if it seems to work best for someone? Are any not
acceptable? Consider the possibility that false religions may be given
"scientific legitimacy" in the endtimes.

One last point, ... for an article that is discussing neurotheology and
religious practices and possible benefits, the word "God" never appeared
anywhere in the article. 

[B/W Photodude]

10 hours ago, B/W Photodude said:

That would in all likelihood be a HIPAA violation. Just sayin'.

Having been one who in my professional life spent a lot of time protecting the privacy of individuals from "curious" ones attempting to invade another's privacy, it just seemed a bit out there to want to scan and view someone's brain "while in vision" for any reason. It reminds me of the people who want to drag theirs teens into an ER to view people involved in motor vehicle accidents while drunk, or look at people on various respiratory assist devices who have been smokers, or any number of other people who had good or bad things happen to them. While many may have a benignly positive interest in seeing a "brain in vision", I suspect in today's world there would be many more looking for a way to discredit any said prophets by attempting to prove they had abnormal brain scans. So, hopefully, any future prophets (there may be some) will resist any such urging to be scanned for "scientific reasons."

Keep in mind that certain prophets have been alleged to have had their visions as a result of seizure disorders and other abnormal neurological processes.

[Outta Here]

1 hour ago, B/W Photodude said:

Having been one who in my professional life spent a lot of time protecting the privacy of individuals from "curious" ones attempting to invade another's privacy, it just seemed a bit out there to want to scan and view someone's brain "while in vision" for any reason. It reminds me of the people who want to drag theirs teens into an ER to view people involved in motor vehicle accidents while drunk, or look at people on various respiratory assist devices who have been smokers, or any number of other people who had good or bad things happen to them. While many may have a benignly positive interest in seeing a "brain in vision", I suspect in today's world there would be many more looking for a way to discredit any said prophets by attempting to prove they had abnormal brain scans. So, hopefully, any future prophets (there may be some) will resist any such urging to be scanned for "scientific reasons."

Keep in mind that certain prophets have been alleged to have had their visions as a result of seizure disorders and other abnormal neurological processes.

For me, it's not that I want to know anything about this ONE particular person, but rather, what happens in the minds of those with visions...purely scientific motivations, not personal or judging motivations. I have the same interests in knowing how the brain works when thinking about math or logic problems, or when creating artwork or poetry, or even what happens when a person is attracted to another person, or what's going on when the brain starts to lose memory. I'd actually LOVE to have my own brain scanned when I'm working intensely on a logic problem (and have that scan compared to other people doing the same sort of tasks).