Neuroscience and faith/belief?

complexcontext · 2nd July 2010, 09:59 AM

I was wondering what the scientific consensus is regarding religious faith.

Example: Is it true that speaking in tongues mirrors that of a schizophrenic on a brain scan?

What about faith in general?

-complexcontext

Professor Yaffle · 2nd July 2010, 10:05 AM

Here's some stuff about the neuroscience of speaking in tongues:

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2006/1...ience_of_.html

Dancing David · 2nd July 2010, 11:37 AM

Um, faith is kind of a broad category.

And no 'speaking in tounges' is not really comparable to schizophrenia.

blutoski · 2nd July 2010, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by complexcontext

I was wondering what the scientific consensus is regarding religious faith.

Example: Is it true that speaking in tongues mirrors that of a schizophrenic on a brain scan?

What about faith in general?

-complexcontext

I don't think there is a scientific consensus regarding the subject matter, as you word it above.

complexcontext · 2nd July 2010, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by blutoski

I don't think there is a scientific consensus regarding the subject matter, as you word it above.

Rephrase: Has neuroscience found any additional, natural explanations for religious experience (ex: meditation, prayer, "speaking in tongues", etc...)?

I apologize, my initial question was poorly worded

Radrook · 2nd July 2010, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by complexcontent

I was wondering what the scientific consensus is regarding religious faith.

Example: Is it true that speaking in tongues mirrors that of a schizophrenic on a brain scan?

What about faith in general?

-complex context

The tongues spoken of in Acts were actual languages and not the garbled loud unintelligible yelps, ululations, kennings, guttural growls, yowlings, grunts, screeches that these people suddenly, frenetically and uncontrollably produce. So I would suspect strongly that there might be a very strong link between mental illness and these manifestations.

2nd July 2010, 09:59 AM	#1
complexcontext New Blood Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 21	Neuroscience and faith/belief? I was wondering what the scientific consensus is regarding religious faith. Example: Is it true that speaking in tongues mirrors that of a schizophrenic on a brain scan? What about faith in general? -complexcontext

2nd July 2010, 10:05 AM	#2
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 15,357	Here's some stuff about the neuroscience of speaking in tongues: http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2006/1...ience_of_.html
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that. My blog "Well I think I've made it abundantly clear in this thread I have no idea what I'm talking about..." - truethat

2nd July 2010, 11:37 AM	#3
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,727	Um, faith is kind of a broad category. And no 'speaking in tounges' is not really comparable to schizophrenia.
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

2nd July 2010, 11:42 AM	#4
blutoski Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 5,991	Originally Posted by complexcontext I was wondering what the scientific consensus is regarding religious faith. Example: Is it true that speaking in tongues mirrors that of a schizophrenic on a brain scan? What about faith in general? -complexcontext I don't think there is a scientific consensus regarding the subject matter, as you word it above.
	__________________ "Sometimes it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness." - Terry Pratchett

2nd July 2010, 09:58 PM	#6
Radrook Banned Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,834	Originally Posted by complexcontent I was wondering what the scientific consensus is regarding religious faith. Example: Is it true that speaking in tongues mirrors that of a schizophrenic on a brain scan? What about faith in general? -complex context The tongues spoken of in Acts were actual languages and not the garbled loud unintelligible yelps, ululations, kennings, guttural growls, yowlings, grunts, screeches that these people suddenly, frenetically and uncontrollably produce. So I would suspect strongly that there might be a very strong link between mental illness and these manifestations.
Radrook Banned Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,834	Last edited by Radrook; 2nd July 2010 at 10:02 PM.

2nd July 2010, 09:53 PM	#5
complexcontext New Blood Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 21	Originally Posted by blutoski I don't think there is a scientific consensus regarding the subject matter, as you word it above. Rephrase: Has neuroscience found any additional, natural explanations for religious experience (ex: meditation, prayer, "speaking in tongues", etc...)? I apologize, my initial question was poorly worded