It’s nice to have hard evidence that people want to have faith in something, but the answer falls somewhere between “duh” and “of course”.
We recently ran an item on this same topic on similar research: Research determines there is no “God Spot” in the brain.
The work of Bruce Hood, a professor at Bristol University, suggests that magical and supernatural beliefs are hardwired into our brains from birth, and that religions are therefore tapping into a powerful psychological force.
“I think it is pointless to think that we can get people to abandon their belief systems because they are operating at such a fundamental level,” said Prof Hood. “No amount of rational evidence is going to be taken on board to get people to abandon those ideas.”
As the Doobie Brothers once sang, “what a fool believes he sees no wise man has the power to reason away”.
Yeah, it’s a “duh”.
But it’s interesting enough to learn some more about belief, and why so many people easily consider fiction more real than life itself…….
So no god spot. Faith seems to be more based on emotions, fantasy and imagination. All powerful attributes 🙂
Unfortunately, when you base politics and real life decisions on such qualities, it’s bound to head in the wrong way.
Seems very irrational for someone not to trust in the Bible, (which has never been proven wrong), and put their faith into some mans beliefs.
Higghawker
Do you make ridiculous statements all day long?
The Doobie Brothers also sang “Jesus Is Just Allright With Me”.
#4 Yup. I’ve always considered The Doobie Brothers to be the ultimate bible proof.
It’s as good as it gets 🙂
The concepts of evolution, of time in the millions of years, of space, etc. were way beyond the comprehension of the people living at the time the Bible was written. It had to be written in a form that could be understood by the minds of that time. That doesn’t change the truth of the Bible, just the breadth of the metaphor in which it was written. So now we have minds that can’t understand how evolution and creation can both be true. We can prove the facts of evolution (almost), but we will never be able to prove creation because, like God, it will not submit to proof. Faith has room for both if you broaden your mind.
#6
OK, here’s an idea for your god: Please update the mumbo jumbo to the 21’rst century level.
I have no urge to believe in any god. But if the update is good enough to stand a normal validity test, I’d reconsider my stand.
I’m not jumping to any conclusions here, but I bet the only update that’s going to come forth, is from some guy, having some dream, sign or something. Maybe some virgin shows up on toast.
Eh, that’s not covering my demands for a valid “update”. I want some real action from whatever god choosing to step up from the slumber.
It seems clear to me that belief is in the mind. The imagination. The fantasy. The fear. It’s got nothing to do with our real, physical world. But I do not doubt it F E E L S real enough for the believers.
Guess there is nothing to do but steralize them so they dont spread the illness.
Just remember that _everyone,_ can hold irrational beliefs that contradict the evidence, even brilliant scientist. That’s why we have the scientific method and double blind tests – it’s to elevate science beyond individuals. As Richard Feynmen said, the easiest person to fool is yourself.
If you study the history of science you will see that sometimes major scientific breakthroughs require the death of the older scientist for the new idea to take hold. Einstein, for instance, didn’t like the uncertanty principle in quantum dynamics.
One addy:
http://www.yachtrock.com
All your Dobbie Brothers’ questions are answered….
Re#6 Religion changes when it has to in order to keep its followers. All religions prefer unquestioning followers. When people see that the things they are being told are false and say they are going to stop believing the leaders of that faith react. “Hey did we say the sun revolves around the earth, ha oh well our bad.” The sell aproach is that if you are so upset as to leave they acquiecse. “Remarry after divorce? Ok just don’t leave the religion.”
“God will not submit to proof.”. Is that anything like “pleading the fifth”. I would not submit to proof, especially if the proof arrived at a different conclusion than I came to. Is this the same “God” who we must fear. The same “God” who is a “Jealous God”. You know Jealous of people worshipping “other Gods” that “do not exist”.
“Faith has room for both if you broaden your mind.” Thank you very much. I was hoaping someone would point out how it is I who is narrow minded. I have lived with that for so long. Now that everyone knows I can change. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Or so I have been told.
John
Re:#7 Roger M you nailed it on the head. “I’m not jumping to any conclusions here, but I bet the only update that’s going to come forth, is from some guy, having some dream, sign or something.”. I could point to every religion of the past century to back up that statement. The big three religions often offer up the defense that if you think they are crazy look at the new guys. Some defense in saying that we are bad, but we are not as bad as those guys. Think Christians vs. Muslims in that as well. “We may try to cram our beliefs down your throat, but at least we do not have suicide bombers.”. Wow where do I sign up? I also would point to all of the people who do drugs and see God. In every religion there are stories of such things happening. The Indiginous peoples and their nature religions where they go to the “dream lodge” smoke up and speak to their God or dead Elder. There should be a shirt for those who do drugs and do drugs and do not speak to God. I took drugs and all I saw was pink elephants and little people. 😉
John