Study Finds Link Between Brain Damage and Religious Fundamentalism

The Big Think ^ | 05/09/2017 | Paul Ratner

[SeekAndFind]

Eyerusalem Solomon of Tacoma Park, Maryland, prays for Pope John Paul II in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception March 31, 2005 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Scientists found that damage in a certain part of the brain is linked to an increase in religious fundamentalism. In particular, lesions in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex reduced cognitive flexibility - the ability to challenge our beliefs based on new evidence.

The researchers, led by Jordan Grafman of Northwestern University, utilized data gathered from Vietnam War veterans as part of the Vietnam Head Injury Study. They compared levels of religious fundamentalism between 119 vets who had lesions and 30 veterans who didn’t. 

The study further confirms that the prefrontal cortex is associated with religious beliefs and is the latest in a number of recent studies that look to find the neurological basis for religion.

“The variation in the nature of religious beliefs are governed by specific brain areas in the anterior parts of the human brain and those brain areas are among the most recently evolved areas of the human brain,” said Grafman.

How free these areas are from disease, in particular the part known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, may determine a person’s mental openness - necessary to appreciate the “diversity of religious thought.” The prefrontal cortex was previously linked to having a cognitive function in spiritual experiences.

CREDIT: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

 

[SeekAndFind]

The researchers define fundamentalism as a cognitive approach that “embodies adherence to a set of firm religious beliefs advocating unassailable truths about human existence.“

[brucedickinson]

oh please. How about a correlation between race and crime? Let’s publish that story

[HiTech RedNeck]

Stirring the pot huh.

[wyowolf]

Having met a few, it wouldnt surprise me...

[Persevero]

Ah well, if we are brain damaged we are disabled this a victim class, so, perhaps we can get special rights now. Maybe we won’t have to Bake the Cake.

[BenLurkin]

Junk science.

[Steve_Seattle]

" . . . may determine a person’s mental openness - necessary to appreciate the “diversity of religious thought.”

Does this mean that militant atheists and secularists are also brain damaged?

[silverleaf]

Like submission?

[Steve_Seattle]

"Ah well, if we are brain damaged we are disabled this a victim class, so, perhaps we can get special rights now. Maybe we won’t have to Bake the Cake."

Good point.

[Honorary Serb]

.....mental openness - necessary to appreciate the “diversity of religious thought.”....

“Diversity of religious thought” has been traditionally defined by the Holy Fathers as heresy!!!!

PHOOEY!!!!

[dowcaet]

Can we guess who funded this pile of crap?

[HiTech RedNeck]

One can understand a lot of viewpoints and still choose one over the others.

[Mr. K]

Have they found any link between liberalism and stupidity?

[caver]

More fake news.

[Texas Eagle]

Very interesting. Say, Jordan, you find adherence to any one particular set of religious beliefs is more prevalent than others?

[ifinnegan]

Junk science.

And, they want ultimately to claim they can scan for thought crimes.

[Steve_Seattle]

"They compared levels of religious fundamentalism between 119 vets who had lesions and 30 veterans who didn’t."

Wow, that's a HUGE sample. Did they study anyone other than Vietnam vets to see how many "fundamentalists" in the general public have brain damage? 

[HiTech RedNeck]

One could understand what it would be like to be, say, Buddhist while still having excellent reason to believe something else. These folks need to be careful where they are going.

[Steve_Seattle]

"One can understand a lot of viewpoints and still choose one over the others."

And many people who would be called "fundamentalists" have studied other religions and viewpoints.