Do Atheists and Agnostics think differenly than Religous Groups?

Question

It just seems to me that their brains are wired differenly, where they think in "logical" terms rather than "spiritual" terms.

Is there any kind of study of the brains to see why people think differenly?

Answer 1

On our local PBS recently there was a program titled:
"God on the Brain" that deals specifically with this question.

I 've found this documentary online here:
http://www.66stage.com/documentariesplay.php?url=1587310

A follow-up discussion here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2003/godonbrain.shtml

When I was doing grad studies in neurophysiology some [time period] ago, these questions had already been begun to be investigated.

Answer 2

the truly definition of an agnostic, jointly because it grew to strengthen into into first termed by T.H. Huxley, is: the assertive concept that the existence of deities can't be and by way of no skill could be shown or disproven. and you're suitable that the term isn't on a similar time unique with "theist" or "atheist". As for what categories of agnostics there might possibly be, we would desire to continually inspect somebody who would not fall into the class of atheist or theist. How approximately deists? Or do you communicate approximately deists to be a sort of theist once you communicate that they do believe in deity, albeit now no longer a private one?

Answer 3

I don't think the terms "logically" and "spiritually" are necessarily at odds. "religiously may be a good substitute for spiritually. By definition these groups think differently but I don't think there is any biological cause. I say this because there are many great minds on both sides of the coin, whats more there are many instances of intelligent atheists becoming spiritual and many religious leaders becoming atheists

Answer 4

Spirituality isn't the opposite of logic.

There are things that are rational, and things that are irrational. Let's not fall over ourselves trying to make the theists feel more comfortable about their ridiculous superstitions.

I don't know about the 'way' we think, but most of the studies done on the subject show an inverse correlation between religiosity and intelligence - people who are more intelligent are less likely to be religious - or indeed, to hold 'beliefs' of any kind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_intelligence

They've also done these tests where they subject people to magnetic fields and cause hallucinations. What people experience is based on their own mythical framework, christians see angels, conspiracy buffs see aliens etc. I wonder what an atheist would experience. Probably just a little queasiness.

Answer 5

There are study being done on religiosity. They seem to indicate a tendency for some people's brains to be more wired for feeling what they describe a religious experience after seeing images etc. I feel they will show that some are much more open to religion, and some brains are much more wired towards critical thinking.

Answer 6

Both atheism and theism are rational. So both are equally logical.

The difference is in what the two groups demand in terms of the burden of proof. Atheists and agnostics demand that God prove Himself to them before they take any action. Theists demand proof that God doesn't exist before they will cease seeking God.

Both groups adopt their positions on "burden of proof" because of what they hope. Atheists and agnostics hope there is no God because they want to live their lives independent of any authority over them. Theists hope there is a God because of the possibility of finding God's love for them.

Answer 7

There's either naive or intellectual.

I would like to think religious belief is a naive way of thought, and agnostic is an intellectual way of thought.

Answer 8

There are no "spiritual" terms.

It's proven fact that spirituality is a mental disorder. Purely based on mental, emotional phenomena.

But yes I'll take it as a compliment.

Atheists are far wise and intelligent than all theists combined.

Answer 9

As for if my mind is wired differently - I have only one clue - my memory seems to be better then most.

Answer 10

That would be fascinating. I've never investigated it to see if anybody has studied it but it's quite possible.