Could you scientifically test the spiritual authority of a sacred text?

Question

Say, for example, I get a random sample of 9,000 people with no exposure to religion. (That would be difficult, but bare with me.)

A third read nothing at all, a third read the Bible, and another third read Harry Potter...

I give them before and after tests on emotional wellness, calmness, perceptiveness, etc.

... would that be interesting? Would Christians oppose even doing the test?

(Or for that matter, you could have additional test groups reading the Quran, Hindu texts, etc.)

Answer 1

Who is your control group?

And how does this conclude with "spiritual authority"? You are really only performing a psychology test.

Answer 2

It won't work for the Hindu texts because we don't call them the "word of god." To us their just guidelines, like an instruction manual to spirituality. And logically, the experiment is flawed. Instead use a test of that specific religion to see whether the book holds.

Here's the water test for witche:She sinks and dies, she's innocent. She floats, and she will burn.
So do that to the Bible. If it sinks to the bottom, it is true. But it is sunk, and who knows if the next book is as holy as the sunk one. If it floats, burn!!!!!! you'll find hardcovers are far more spiritual than paperbacks...

Answer 3

Umm are you assuming that reading a spiritual text leads to "emotional wellness"? I'd have to say that anything can be scientifically tested but the results may well be worthless...as is the case with most scientific "truths" over time.

Answer 4

Well it all depends on whom God guides to the straight path of Islamic Monotheism.

I challenge you to a scientific test, of reading the Qu'ran and feeling the physiological affects on your heart.

Answer 5

Science cannot test the truth of the Holy Books, because its speciality is with dust and let it confine its opinions accurately in it.

Answer 6

I imagine the results would be interesting. The bible would clearly cause stress, in my opinion. It is good that most of us know the bible is lies.

Answer 7

'You know, this is a very complicated case, Maude. Lotta ins, lotta outs. You know, fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, drug regiment to keep my mind, ... limber'

I don't think your the one to conduct this 'scientific' test.

Answer 8

I think you would likely get inconclusive results. But it is a good thought. :D

Answer 9

uuuuhhh... sorry but I'm not gonna BARE anything with you... however, if you study your English like your science, I might 'bear' something with you. *Grins*

Answer 10

i dont entirely see the point, but lets do it anyways.