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God on the Brain (BBC Science feature, with Dr. Richard Dawkins)
BBC Science & Nature ^

Posted on 01/03/2005 3:57:50 PM PST by mista science

...snip...

NARRATOR: Scientists now believe what happens inside the minds of temporal lobe epileptic patients may just be an extreme case of what goes on inside all our brains, for everyone. It now appears that temporal lobes are key in experiencing religious and spiritual belief......explosive research......inspiration for a completely new field of science - neurotheology. In a remote region of Northern Canada a scientist put this controversial new science of neurotheology......Dr Michael Persinger claims that by stimulating the temporal lobes he can artificially induce religious experience in almost anyone.

...snip...

NARRATOR: Controversially Dr Persinger argues that most, if not all, spiritual and religious experience can be explained away by the effect of electromagnetic fields on the temporal lobes of the brain.

...snip...

NARRATOR: So Horizon decided to set Dr Persinger's theories and his machine the ultimate test, to give a religious experience to one of the world's most strident atheists - Professor Richard Dawkins. In Professor Dawkins' opinion the struggle of atheism against religion is nothing less than the battle of truth against ignorance. Will Dr Persinger succeed where the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dalai Lama have failed?

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: evolution; neurotheology
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The BBC Horizon link was referenced in the credits of an I-channeltv program broadcast during the week before Christmas. The transcript is much abbreviated and somewhat different from the current TV production. Dr. Dawkins was wearing a helment and various other academics appeared on the show besides those indicated in the transcript. But the transcript does accurately reflect the tone and general thrust of the program.

Here are a few more quotes from the transcript:
.......
PROF RICHARD DAWKINS (University of Oxford): If I were turned into a devout religious believer, my wife would threaten to leave me.
........
DAWKINS: If you ask the question 'what's the survival value of religious belief?' it could be that you're asking the wrong question. What you should be doing is asking what's the survival value of the kind of brain which manifests itself as religious belief under the right circumstances.
.......
DAWKINS: The human religious impulse does seem very difficult to wipe out, which causes me a certain amount of grief. Clearly religion has extreme tenacity.

Did Dawkins succumb? Will his wife be leaving him? Check out the link if you'd like to see how it turned out. Great pic of Dawkins, with just a hint of a smile, wired up to test the effect of Persinger's special electromagnetic fields on his temporal lobes. Certainly no hidden agenda there. Good for a few laughs to start the new season of FR's Science Lecture Series.

1 posted on 01/03/2005 3:57:51 PM PST by mista science
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To: mista science
But the transcript does accurately reflect the tone and general thrust of the program.

Condescending pr@ck?

2 posted on 01/03/2005 4:01:03 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: mista science
In Professor Dawkins' opinion the struggle of atheism against religion is nothing less than the battle of truth against ignorance.

Boy, this guy isn't agenda-driven, is he! (/sarcasm)

3 posted on 01/03/2005 4:05:07 PM PST by My2Cents
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To: mista science
DAWKINS: The human religious impulse does seem very difficult to wipe out, which causes me a certain amount of grief.

Maybe he could improve on Hitler's techniques.

4 posted on 01/03/2005 4:06:02 PM PST by My2Cents
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To: mista science
Dr Michael Persinger claims that by stimulating the temporal lobes he can artificially induce religious experience in almost anyone.

I didn't read the full article...What the heck is a "religious experience"? Does stimulating the temporal lobes induce a resurrection from the dead?...or implant within someone's brain the complete contents of Calvin's Institutes, or the writings of Aquinas?

Do these people actually think that because of the "PhD" after they names that we're fooled into thinking they're practicing reputable science?

5 posted on 01/03/2005 4:09:08 PM PST by My2Cents
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To: mista science

We need a new DSM IV TR schema to identify, and hopefully treat, all of those who are preoccupied with someone else's religion.


6 posted on 01/03/2005 4:20:40 PM PST by shrinkermd (The Apostle John was probably illiterate yet he was chosen by Christ to care for his mother.)
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To: shrinkermd

I, for one, beleive that even though there may be scientific reasoning behind an 'event' or 'experience', the Lord is setting things in motion behind the scenes. After all, he did design us. DNA is a language, and in that language would be code for a cellular creation to experience such religious feelings IMHO. Mankind is simly learning more about his existence. Instead of honoring our creator, we explain it away as just science and turn further towards humanism.


7 posted on 01/03/2005 4:28:42 PM PST by spower
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To: mista science
Dawkins , Dawkins , Dawkins
Dick Dawkins - the hypothetical champion of science who is fighting against dogma?
8 posted on 01/03/2005 4:38:27 PM PST by Heartlander
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To: mista science

In other news, scientists annouce discovery of transistor radio proves that broadcasting stations do not exist...


9 posted on 01/03/2005 4:56:47 PM PST by SalukiLawyer (12" Powerbook, Airport, surfing FR in anywhere I want to)
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To: mista science

Dawkins is one of the leading anti-Christians in England


10 posted on 01/03/2005 9:13:56 PM PST by LiteKeeper (Secularization of America is happening)
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To: mista science; JudyinCanada

Persinger has been on all the cable UFO shows, on Discovery and the History channel, ghost sightings, etc. He teaches at Laurentian University in Ontario. He puts a "Persinger helmet" on graduate students' heads and induces an effect related to the effect pilots get when pulling too many g's. He's trotted out as the "expert" who pooh poohs out of body experiences and.... God. Highly entertaining, hilarious even


11 posted on 01/07/2005 9:21:34 PM PST by D Edmund Joaquin
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To: D Edmund Joaquin

"In Professor Dawkins' opinion the struggle of atheism against religion is nothing less than the battle of truth against ignorance."

Well, I agree with the professor. Except he has the "truth" and "ignorance" part of the sentence backwards.

Professing themselves to be wise...


12 posted on 01/07/2005 9:39:44 PM PST by JudyinCanada (Five-fingered Canadian)
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To: JudyinCanada
the struggle of atheism against religion

the true agenda

13 posted on 01/07/2005 9:41:19 PM PST by D Edmund Joaquin
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To: D Edmund Joaquin

Right on, Dej, right on.

It comes in all different disguises, but that's always at the bottom of it.

Good news though, we win! :)


14 posted on 01/07/2005 9:46:09 PM PST by JudyinCanada (Five-fingered Canadian)
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To: JudyinCanada

Amen. But you see how they disguise it: "science" vs religious nuts, whackos


15 posted on 01/07/2005 9:50:44 PM PST by D Edmund Joaquin
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To: D Edmund Joaquin

Yeah, I see it very clearly. They have scales over their eyes. It's ok. If they are meant to "see", they will. And those people make some of the best believers, some of the more passionate ones. Give 'em time.

I used to be an atheist. Weren't you, when you were young and rebellious? God loved you and me, and He loves them, too.


16 posted on 01/07/2005 10:01:20 PM PST by JudyinCanada (Five-fingered Canadian)
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To: JudyinCanada

I think a lot of people are at about 18. After all, I knew everything back then! (Haven't been near as smart since)Then we grow up


17 posted on 01/07/2005 10:03:11 PM PST by D Edmund Joaquin
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To: D Edmund Joaquin

LOL! True. I have a brother who is 45, going on 18! Oh man, I was SOOOO smart back then! Ever want to do it over? I'd love the chance to go back to 18, retaining what I know now (not that it's much, but it's better than what I had!).


18 posted on 01/07/2005 10:06:48 PM PST by JudyinCanada (Five-fingered Canadian)
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To: JudyinCanada

I think God will give you anything you want in the next life, so start planning


19 posted on 01/07/2005 10:08:56 PM PST by D Edmund Joaquin
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To: JudyinCanada

let me rephrase that: in the world to come


20 posted on 01/07/2005 10:17:47 PM PST by D Edmund Joaquin
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