What if religious experiences were really brain damage?

Question

Read this article in today's NYT about brain centers affected by stroke, schizophrenia or implanted sensors. Doesn't it point up the fact that most, if not all, of the bible is based on mental health challenges to the people involved?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/health/psychology/03shad.html?ei=5087%0A&em=&en=9c59d730d2bab312&ex=1160107200&pagewanted=all

Here's an excerpt:

They are eerie sensations, more common than one might think: A man describes feeling a shadowy figure standing behind him, then turning around to find no one there. A woman feels herself leaving her body and floating in space, looking down on her corporeal self.

Such experiences are often attributed by those who have them to paranormal forces.

But according to recent work by neuroscientists, they can be induced by delivering mild electric current to specific spots in the brain. In one woman, for example, a zap to a brain region called the angular gyrus resulted in a sensation that she was hanging

Can anyone doubt that the famous story of Abraham thinking that God told him to kill his son Isaac could be anything other than schizophrenic 'voices' in his head? How many cases have we heard of where people tried (and some succeeded) to kill their kids because they heard voices in their head telling them to do so, and they assumed it was God's voice and that they had to obey?

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20051020-0553-childreninbay.html

Answer 1

There could be a correlation with the two; however we can only speculate since we don't have access to Abraham & the others.

However, I have beliefs that what ever the scientific back ground or results, everything is driven by God. So, could communicating with God cause brain damage because he's super omnipotent? Yes, I think so. However, I have been firmly taught to give my best with respecting my elders, and the dead; so I must carefuly study more before I came to a conclution.

Answer 2

THAT is fascinating. Do you know who Hildegard was? (Learned about her in music class.) She is almost like a saint to Catholic people, and she had all these religious visions and trouble writing, but good writing, some of it very religious. She described things in such a way that analysts have decided she suffered from migraines all her life. Oxygen deprivation can also play a part in how someone writes or thinks, apparently.

Answer 3

I think it's accepted that some biblical characters were suffering from mental disorders. Ezekiel is a prime example of a Schizophrenic with his hallucinations and bizarre behaviour such as eating food cooked with excrement, but in fact he sounds less dangerous than some Christians I've met.

Answer 4

Science can explain away a lot,the question is still open to me schizophrenic,or demon possessed,the near death experience is open to interpreting.However in my personal life have had many medical miracles in my family doctors baffled and Angels saved me 5 times, angels saved my sister and my brother.No
human could have .That is fact

Answer 5

they might have been in some cases. however, seriously doubt this was true in all cases. this would be similar to stating each person who has a headache had the same cause to create it. anything is possible but there are situations which are highly improbable.

Answer 6

Please! "Religious" people are more educated, intelligent, happier than others - those are the facts. This is just another ploy of men to try to "figure out God" - It cannot be done. God is who He says He is and Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Just accept it. Blessings.

Answer 7

Lot's of casualties on these pages aren't there!

Answer 8

there is no brain damage only ignorance shows and seperatness from god

Answer 9

Yes! Thanks to science, we now understand these 'holy' episodes for what they really are.

Answer 10

,No that is just your opinion.