Are the Christians aware?

Question

That the warm glow of self righteous piety you will feel as you walk out of church today isn't spiritual in any sense. It's caused by nothing more than the release of dopamine and serotonin into the pre-frontal cortex. That's right-what you experience is the same biological "reward" mechanism experienced by junkies who get their fix of drugs. Like the junkies you live an illusion that is founded on nothing more than your own self gratification.

Proof? I'm referring to a known biological mechanism-I'm on solid ground. Those who believe in supernatural phenomena need to provide proof.

angela3213,
I didn't get it from any website. I regard an in depth awareness of brain chemistry and human physiology as being basic general knowledge.

Faerie Whings.

I think your looking at my statement from the wrong angle-the fact that I'm an atheist isn't too important. You want proof that there is a biological "reward" mechanism caused by the release of chemicals into the brain okay here it is-

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=15564455


Are there those within religion who are looking into the neurological aspects of religious belief-yes.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/16503722.htm?source=rss&channel=inquirer_local


Instead of seeing my views as a condemnation they should also be seen as asking valid questions about physiology and the "spiritual" experience and the answers to such questions should be of interest to believers and non-believers alike.

CONCLUSIONS: ..the serotonin system may serve as a biological basis for spiritual experiences.....

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/160/11/1965

Using this technique we have found that several drugs profoundly affect the spontaneous liberation of labelled norepinephrine and serotonin from....


http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v228/n5270/abs/228468a0.html

Faerie Whings

I'm not sure what your problem is-I provided enough evidence to show that I've made a valid argument and that a comparison can rightly be made. You have a problem with that tough-end of discussion.

Answer 1

Of course they're not aware.
Very well put.

Answer 2

Ha ha ha! You are so far from the truth you don't even know it. I laugh because many many many times I have walked out of a church service feeling like I just got smacked upside the head. Sometimes I feel like I have disappointed God quite a bit.
Anyway that isn't what I really want to say...This thing is quite possible what you are saying. Many people attribute much of the way they "feel" to some spiritual way of being or acting when in reality it is a feeling. Your recognition of this proves you do have a brain in your head and it works to some degree I'll admit. Yet I think the heart of the issue is whether or not there is a spiritual component to the church service. That is left up to more of a faith matter than some wonderful experience matter. But is it better to feel good or to feel bad? Well the answer is both. Feeling good has it's reward and feeling bad has it's reward. dang i'm way off topic now. To answer your question..I am aware of this gratification matter and yes it is true that this is probably what is going on...but if someone feels good because of what God says then why kill that?? Why destroy that?? Why judge them for it?? Apparently you have not read the Bible because the Bible is a pretty severe book and the true christian isn't prideful, arrogant, or self seeking. Find me a man that is fully righteous on this earth right now and that will be the day that you can say that the Bible is wrong. Nobody is righteous..nobody..and that includes ME and yes you to:)
Have a beautiful day my friend!

Answer 3

I think you are pretty much on with much of what you say. Churches use music and rock music and "heped up" preaching and similar things to produce an emotional stimulation that has absolutley nothing to do with spirituality. That type of thing is relatively new, and was predicted by the Bible as what would happen in the final days of the church. However, that does not negate the fact that man does have a genuine spirit within them which is capable of relating to God, and in spite of all the phoney stuff out there, there still is a genuine church of Jesus Christ on this earth.

Answer 4

I am a scientist. I take no sides. What you speak of is a Theory, not scientifically substantiated. However, to me it does make some sense. But everyone should just try to keep to what they believe and not harass each other. We all are free to believe in what we want. There is no proof either way. It is in your heart what you believe. To me no-one is wrong.

Answer 5

>>>the warm glow of self righteous piety you will feel as you walk out of church today isn't spiritual in any sense. It's caused by nothing more than the release of dopamine and serotonin into the pre-frontal cortex.>>>

If it's true, then the release of those substances is the result of God's creative work. So is the pre-frontal cortex into which they are released.

You "science vs. religion" adherents don't get it, do you?

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Answer 6

Proof please. Show studies that prove that. Otherwise it's just a false argument trying to rile up the religious.

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No you need to provide proof in forms of studies done after a person has come out of a worship in order for your argument to be valid. I assume you claim to be an atheist, one who believes in science. Then you must show scientific data to prove your argument. Not the other way around. He who makes the assessment, must make proof of the assessment.

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That's nice. Basic general knowledge of brain chemistry (10th grade biology when I was in school), which is something that most of us has, isn't proof that your 'analysis' without scientific study is even remotely true. You need to show proof of your studies to even make an infallible argument like that.

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Show the studies that prove that after leaving worship, believers have the same hormone released that is released after a crack addict smokes rock. That is your hypothesis, now prove it.

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I am not disputing the fact that using drugs releases the pleasure hormone. I am mearly pointing out to you that your hypothesis is invalid without studies. There are no studies, that's why you keep posting links to anything that shows this hromone being released, but not one link that shows that during worship this same hormone is released. PROVE YOUR HYPOTHESIS. Do your own study and then come back. If it's presented I will not try to prove you wrong. I am only proving that you have no proof.

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Comparasion study and case study are two different things. Comparasion study shows that there is evidence of a hypothesis. After that, case study is done to show proof of that hypothesis. End of discussion.

Answer 7

Ah there is no such thing as love. Did all the girls out there here that. There's just drugged up people and sex. That's all there is. There is no love. It's just a chemical state. Love is dead. It's not real. Science just proved that.

Answer 8

What internet web site did you get that from?

Answer 9

Hello andymcj66.. :)

The warm glow you speak of, is the gift of the Holy Ghost.. :)

As for being self rightous..that could not be further from the "Truth"..for to be a Christian we die to our selves..we put others needs before that of our own.. :)

I say this in Love.. :)

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 10

Christians aren't aware of much except their self-righteous hate and delusions of grandeur