Finding God in the Brain
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Finding God In The Brain
By JOSEPH BROWNSTEIN
ABC News Medical Unit
Feb. 10, 2010Medically speaking, it was just brain surgery. But for some patients, it was a spiritual reawakening.
Researchers report in a new study today that they have found regions of the brain that seem to impact a person's level of spirituality.
The researchers worked with 88 patients with tumors in various locations in the brain and found that those with damage in the parietal region -- located in the top rear region of the brain -- could be seen to have a change in their attitude toward spirituality, something that tends to be relatively constant in a person.
"This finding highlights the key role of parietal cortices in spirituality and suggests that changes of neural activity in specific areas may modify even inherently stable dispositional traits," explained Cosimo Urgesi, one of the study's lead researchers and an assistant professor in psychobiology and physiological psychology at the University of Udine in Italy.
The specific scale researchers used to determine spirituality is known as self-transcendence, a measure used to determine spirituality that appears to remain stable in a person over time.
The tumors researchers based on their findings on were gliomas, the same type of brain tumor with which doctors diagnosed the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, that affects the brain tissue itself. Meningiomas, another type of brain tumor that does not affect tissue, did not have an impact on people in the study when removed, Urgesi said.
After the removal of gliomas from the rear of the brain, those patients showed a significant elevation in their level of self-transcendence.
The findings appear in the newest issue of the journal Neuron.
"You remove brain tissue and you get an enhancement of something," said Patrick McNamara, director of the Evolutionary Neurobehavior Laboratory at the Boston University School of Medicine.
He explained that the implication of this "paradoxical" finding is that the front and rear areas of the brain work in sync to regulate the level of spirituality of the brain. With the rear tissue damaged, the front controls more of the brain, raising the spirituality level.
"We will show them Our signs in the universe and within their own beings until it will become manifest to them that it is the truth." (4153)
Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameen
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Salam
So in fact they will say us, that spirituality is only a function in the brain - so Prophets (because high spiritual humans) were sick in the brain??? That will be the logic conclusion from this claim and the result the people neglect spirituality and God... or i see this to strange?
or i understand not right?? (may be my english- ?)
peace -
Salam
So in fact they will say us, that spirituality is only a function in the brain - so Prophets (because high spiritual humans) were sick in the brain??? That will be the logic conclusion from this claim and the result the people neglect spirituality and God... or i see this to strange?
or i understand not right?? (may be my english- ?)
peaceOn the contrary my friend, the prophets connection to God were stronger, because they
were more spiritually developed by God's leave, Hence the term "chosen." We appear
to have different levels of God's awareness.The human brain receives input or messages in the form of stimuli from various sources.
The article is a step towards confirming the connection between humans and spirituality.
There is a natural connection between man and the divine, instituted in us by our creator."Researchers report in a new study today that they have found regions of the brain that seem to impact a person's level of spirituality".
We Are Born With Instinctive Knowledge About God
Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves "Am I not your Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this."
Peace
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Peace,
Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman, of the Center for Spirituality at the University of Pennsylvania
God is great-for your mental, physical, and spiritual health. That's the finding of this startling, authoritative, and controversial book by the bestselling authors of Born to Believe.
Based on new evidence culled from their brain-scan studies on memory patients and meditators, their Web-based survey of people's religious and spiritual experiences, and their analyses of adult drawings of God, neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, therapist Mark Robert Waldman, and their research team have concluded that active and positive spiritual belief changes the human brain for the better
Not only do prayer and spiritual practice reduce stress and anxiety, but just twelve minutes of meditation per day may slow down the aging process.
Contemplating a loving God rather than a punitive God reduces anxiety, depression, and stress and increases feelings of security, compassion, and love.
Fundamentalism, in and of itself, is benign and can be personally beneficial, but the anger and prejudice generated by extreme beliefs can permanently damage your brain.
Intense prayer and meditation permanently change numerous structures and functions in the brain-altering your values and the way you perceive reality.Peace
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Peace,
The Premise Part 1
For every physical characteristic that is universal to a species, there must exist some gene or set of genes responsible for the emergence of that particular trait. For example, the fact that all cats possess whiskers means that somewhere within a cat's chromosomes there must exist "whisker" genes. Of our own species, that all humans possess a nose in the middle of our face means that somewhere within our chromosomes there must exist "nose" genes that instruct our emerging bodies to develop one in that very place. It's not, for instance, as if a nose can develop anywhere on one's body, only by mere coincidence, it always ends up on our face. Apparently, humans are genetically "hard-wired" to develop in a very specific and particular way.
Author Matthew Alper The "God" Part of The Brain
Peace
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Belief in Allah is Nature
Belief in a God that who created the universe, is a nature that has been embedded in the human instinct created by God with the nature. That is what the scholars called the "religious instinct"
Allah say
Verily In the heavens and the earth, are Signs for those who believe. and In the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith. and In the alternation of night and Day, and the fact that Allah Sends down sustenance from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and In the change of the winds,- are Signs for those that are wise. (Al-Jatsiyah 3-5)
So set Thou Thy face steadily and truly to the faith (establish) Allah.s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind no change (let there be) In the work (wrought) by Allah. that is the standard religion but Most among Mankind understand not. (Ar-Ruum 30)
When Thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (Saying) "Am I not your Lord (Who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said "Yea! we do testify!" (This), Lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment "Of This we were never mindful" or Lest ye should say "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?" Thus do we explain the Signs In detail; and Perchance They may turn (unto us). (Al-A?raaf 172 ? 174)
Were They created of nothing, or were They themselves the creators? or did They create the heavens and the earth? Nay, They have no firm belief. (Ath-Thuur 35-36)
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Word of the Prophet. "Every person who is born are born according to nature". (Hadith Valid).
The belief in the existence of God is embedded in the human instinct since birth and that sometimes he did not realize would rise when people stand overwritten danger, attacked the disease and others problem.
Allah say
When trouble toucheth a man, He crieth unto us (in all postures)- lying down on His side, or sitting, or standing. but when we have solved His trouble, He passeth on His way As if He had never cried to us for a trouble that touched Him! Thus do the deeds of transgressors seem fair In their eyes! (Yunus 12)
Reference http//lawislam.blogspot.com/2012/11/belief-in-allah-is-nature.html
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Peace FearGod,
Belief in Allah is Nature
Belief in a God that who created the universe, is a nature that has been embedded in the human instinct created by God with the nature. That is what the scholars called the "religious instinct"
Allah say
Verily In the heavens and the earth, are Signs for those who believe. and In the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith. and In the alternation of night and Day, and the fact that Allah Sends down sustenance from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and In the change of the winds,- are Signs for those that are wise. (Al-Jatsiyah 3-5)So set Thou Thy face steadily and truly to the faith (establish) Allah.s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind no change (let there be) In the work (wrought) by Allah. that is the standard religion but Most among Mankind understand not. (Ar-Ruum 30)
When Thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (Saying) "Am I not your Lord (Who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said "Yea! we do testify!" (This), Lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment "Of This we were never mindful" or Lest ye should say "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?" Thus do we explain the Signs In detail; and Perchance They may turn (unto us). (Al-Araaf 172 174)
Were They created of nothing, or were They themselves the creators? or did They create the heavens and the earth? Nay, They have no firm belief. (Ath-Thuur 35-36)
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The belief in the existence of God is embedded in the human instinct since birth and that sometimes he did not realize would rise when people stand overwritten danger, attacked the disease and others problem.
Allah sayWhen trouble toucheth a man, He crieth unto us (in all postures)- lying down on His side, or sitting, or standing. but when we have solved His trouble, He passeth on His way As if He had never cried to us for a trouble that touched Him! Thus do the deeds of transgressors seem fair In their eyes! (Yunus 12)
Reference http//lawislam.blogspot.com/2012/11/belief-in-allah-is-nature.htmlAgreed,
God has been a constant since the beginning of the human existence.
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THE PREMISE Part 2
Humans are genetically "hard-wired" to develop in a very specific and particular way.
The same principle not only applies to universal physical traits, but to universal behaviors as well. Take, for instance, the fact that all honeybees construct their hives in the same hexagonal pattern. That all honeybee colonies, regardless of whether they've been exposed to any other, construct their hives in such an identical fashion means that they must be "hard-wired" to do so. It's not as if honeybees can build their hives any way they "desire," only by sheer coincidence all construct them in the same exact way. Apparently, honeybees are innately, that is, genetically "hard-wired" to construct their hives in this particular fashion. This would suggest that somewhere in the honeybees' brains there must exist a specific cluster of neurons that contain genetically inherited instructions which compel the bees to construct hexagonally shaped hives. The same principle holds true for anything from a peacock's instinct to display its feathers when exposed to an aroused peahen to a cat's instinct to groom itself. In essence, any behavior that is universal to any species is, more than likely, the consequence of a genetically inherited impulse or instinct.
THE "GOD" PART OF THE BRAIN Author Matthew Alper
Such is GOD your Lord, there is no god except He, the Creator of all things. You shall worship Him alone. He is in control of all things.
Peace
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THE PREMISE Part 3
The fact, for instance, that every human culture - no matter how isolated - has communicated through language suggests that our species' linguistic capacities constitute a genetically inherited trait. Since our capacity for language represents a cognitive function, there must exist some very specific cluster of neurons within the brain from which our linguistic capacities are generated.
As we know such "linguistic" sites do exist in the human brain and include the Wernicke's area, Broca's area, and angular gyrus. Damage incurred to any one of these "language" specific sites will impair some very specific part of one's language capacities. What this clearly demonstrates is that our linguistic capacities are directly related to our neurophysiological makeup. Furthermore, this supports the notion that for every cross-cultural behavior our species exhibits there must exist a specific part of the brain from which that behavior is generated.
If it's true that this principle applies to all of our cross-cultural behaviors, should we not also apply it to spirituality? Every known culture from the dawn of our species has maintained a belief in some form of a "spiritual" reality. Wouldn't this suggest that human spirituality must represent an inherent characteristic of our species, that is, a genetically inherited trait? Furthermore, being that spirituality, just like language, represents a cognitive function, wouldn't this suggest that our "spiritual" instincts, just like our linguistic ones, must be generated from some very specific physical part within the brain? I informally refer to this site as the "God" part of the brain, a cluster of neurons from which spiritual cognitions, sensations, and behaviors are generated.
THE "GOD" PART OF THE BRAIN Author Matthew Alper
Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves "Am I not your Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this."
Peace
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Peace.
By nature, are we inclined to believe in a singular deity (god), or are we moreso inclined to believe in a multitude of deific figures and personalities? Historically, does monotheism predate polytheism, or does polytheism predate monotheism? And when I ask this question with regards to historical classification, I'm not talking about something that's merely documented in a religious text (e.g. the torah/bible, the qur'aan, etc.), with references to Adam and Eve, Noah, and all the ancient prophets knowing about the true god, etc. I'm talking about ACTUAL historical references.
If people are 'naturally' inclined to believe in god(s), then how many gods are they inclined to believe in? Does monotheism predate polytheism? And, if not, why doesn't it?
Peace,
Ahmad
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Is there a difference between the brain of an atheist andthe brain of a religious person?
?Emma Schachner, UtahAndrew Newberg, director of research at the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia, responds
Researchers have pinpointed differences between the brains of believers and nonbelievers, but the neural picture is not yet complete.
Several studies have revealed that people who practice meditation or have prayed for many years exhibit increased activity and have more brain tissue in their frontal lobes, regions associated with attention and reward, as compared with people who do not meditate or pray.
For now we can say that the religious and atheist brains exhibit differences, but what causes these disparities remains unknown.
Peace
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i don't agree that atheists are so because of brain differences,thats absolutely wrong by practical evidences for many people whom have converted from atheism to islam eventhough that they were atheists for long years.
One example of many
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gr54pYc3Ak -
i don't agree that atheists are so because of brain differences,thats absolutely wrong by practical evidences for many people whom have converted from atheism to islam eventhough that they were atheists for long years.
One example of many
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gr54pYc3AkSalaams FearGod,
We Are Born With Instinctive Knowledge About God.
Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves "Am I not your Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this."
Brain scans taken while a person is praying or meditating shows activity in the brain
that indicates that a communication is occuring between the person and the
object of devotion, this is "open" to all human beings except in case of brain injury.
Contrarily, when one does not believe or attempt to access an object of devotion thru
meditation or prayer thereby shutting the door of communication, there is no activity in
the brain indicating such an experience has occured.Atheist like everyone else can communicate with God if they so choose, but because
of personal reasons, choose not to. That is why you see an atheist convert to belief
after they have a change of mind for whatever reason.For example
An atheist denies the existence of God then moves to accept God's existence,
is no longer an atheist.Being that spirituality, just like language, represents a cognitive function, wouldn't this suggest that our "spiritual" instincts, just like our linguistic ones, must be generated from some very specific physical part within the brain? I informally refer to this site as the "God" part of the brain, a cluster of neurons from which spiritual cognitions, sensations, and behaviors are generated.
Peace
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Peace Ahmad Bilal,
Peace.
By nature, are we inclined to believe in a singular deity (god), or are we moreso inclined to believe in a multitude of deific figures and personalities? Historically, does monotheism predate polytheism, or does polytheism predate monotheism? And when I ask this question with regards to historical classification, I'm not talking about something that's merely documented in a religious text (e.g. the torah/bible, the qur'aan, etc.), with references to Adam and Eve, Noah, and all the ancient prophets knowing about the true god, etc. I'm talking about ACTUAL historical references.
If people are 'naturally' inclined to believe in god(s), then how many gods are they inclined to believe in? Does monotheism predate polytheism? And, if not, why doesn't it?
Peace,
AhmadGood questions, I suggest you do the research yourself and come to your own conclusions.
"historical references" require research and that is best done by the questioner, and then
return and let us know what you have found.Peace
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Peace, hawkninetynine.
I suggest you do the research yourself and come to your own conclusions.
"historical references" require research and that is best done by the questioner, and then
return and let us know what you have found.I actually DID research these factors - several years ago, actually. I just wanted to propose some food for thought... Historically, polytheism predates monotheism by several thousands of years. So, deductively speaking, if people are genetically predisposed to believe in god(s), then we can fairly assert that people are naturally inclined to believe in a multitude of gods, not just one (e.g. monotheism).
Peace,
Ahmad
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Peace Ahmad.
Research all you like, believe all other books as much as you like, if they do not agree with what Qoran says, then it is not the truth.
You see, Ahmad, Qoran is the ultimate truth, it is the proven word of God.
God said prior to our creation, he put " Monotheism" in our brain/mind. However we are inclined towards " Polytheism" because of " Ego and Arrogance".
Peace.
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Peace Ahmad.
Research all you like, believe all other books as much as you like, if they do not agree with what Qoran says, then it is not the truth.
You see, Ahmad, Qoran is the ultimate truth, it is the proven word of God.
God said prior to our creation, he put " Monotheism" in our brain/mind. However we are inclined towards " Polytheism" because of " Ego and Arrogance".
Peace.
Well said
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WHICH CAME FIRST
Which came first monotheism or polytheism?
Some of the most famous polytheistic religions have a different definition of "god" than the monotheistic religions do. Every monotheistic religion (that I am aware of, there may be exceptions) believe that their god is the creator of the world, and all that inhabit it. From this view point, many gods in the famous polytheistic religions would be considered simply spirits (possibly angels, possibly demons, depending on the terminology of the specific monotheistic religion).
(taken from religions today)One God
Have they found gods on earth who can create?
If there were in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods beside GOD, there would have been chaos. Glory be to GOD; the Lord with absolute authority. He is high above their claims.
There seems to be enough evidence, at least from a superficial look at these few religions, that it would have been feasible for these various religions to have grown out of a monotheistic world view, rather than vice-versa.
I would say yes, monotheism would occur first then devolve into polytheism.
a casual glance at the major religions today started out monotheistic and over time,
"added" sub-deities thru time and devolved to polytheism. There is no evidence that religions started out polytheistic, shed idols and became monotheistic, the opposite appears to be true.It can easily be said that adam and eve were monotheist!
The polytheistic nations simply got it wrong!Original Monotheism rapidly devolved into Polytheism until Abramham.
The rest is history.Consider the following famous polytheistic religions
Christianity started out monotheistic then added christ then the pope.
Hinduism has montheistic overtones
Some native American mythology speaks of an universal and omniscient Great Spirit.Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.
Peace
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Peace, good logic.
Research all you like, believe all other books as much as you like, if they do not agree with what Qoran says, then it is not the truth.
You see, Ahmad, Qoran is the ultimate truth, it is the proven word of God.
God said prior to our creation, he put " Monotheism" in our brain/mind. However we are inclined towards " Polytheism" because of " Ego and Arrogance".
You don't think it sounds arrogant to say things like, "Research all you like, believe all other books as much as you like, if they do not agree with what Qoran says, then it is not the truth"? Maybe it's just me...
The Qur'aan is NOT the "proven" word of God - unless you're using a ridiculous definition for the word proven. There's nothing "proven" about any of that, which is why the religion of Islam, just like all other religions, is based on the concept of 'faith in the unseen'. There's no proof of a god at all; so how can you "prove" that the Qur'aan is his written word?
The Qur'aan claims to be a confirmation of the Torah, right? Yet, the Torah isn't based on the concept of pure monotheism, even though this is what modern Judaism teaches. It's based on henotheism. The Jews didn't believe that their god was the ONLY god - they merely accepted him as being the HIGHEST god. Keep this in mind when examining their scriptures, especially in the context of your own beliefs.
Peace,
Ahmad
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Peace Ahmad.
It is arrogant to ignore all the signs around you and how your body is designed and functions and say there is no designer!
Peace.