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What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

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Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#31

Post by zzo38computer »

lorriman wrote: post #5

A great deal of speculation in that article. Sounds more like psycotherapy ideas than real psychology/neuroscience. Meanwhile, let's look at the (paraphrased) claims: "Science is not compatible with religion." Yet the Big Bang theory was invented by a physicist who went on to become a Catholic priest, George Lemaitre. And the father of modern genetics is not Darwin but a catholic monk, Gregor Mendel. hmmm. Both had g…

Yes, some religious people have done some good science. "There is no evidence of a god", but, what counts as the evidence of the gods existence? How, even, will you define the specific meanings of "God" and "exist" in this case? It is difficult.

I fail to see how Dawkins is "lying by ommission (which he already does with evolution)"; maybe you can elaborate how that is.

I agree when you say there is no proof of non-existence of a supreme being.

Also, I think that faith as "belief without evidence" doesn't applies to atheists more than religious persons. I have seen argument of such thing but fail to see how it is good. How is that?

I have seen many arguments for and against the existence of God, and they are not valid. There are different problems with them.

Also, believe or not believing the existence of God doesn't make you irrational. (Although a lot of both atheists and religious people will do many irrational stuff sometimes.)

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#32

Post by zzo38computer »

ASalazarMX wrote: post #23

Didn't bother reading the article since most comments say it's worthless. I expected a talk about measured brain activity. I was raised a catholic, and the most prevalent feelings I got out of that was paranoia and fear. They teach you there's an omnipresent, omniscient, all-powerful being judging your every thought 24/7, for all your life. He's personally interested in you, he says he loves you dearly, but for some…

"It took me years to cope with the sequels of indoctrination, but I'm happier and more serene as an atheist now." Then that is good that you are atheist now.

"In my book, religions that demand conversion are thinly-veiled attempts at brainwashing." Unfortunately, there is too much of such thing; however, it isn't 100% involved with brainwashing. And, yes it is good if you do not have such demands, like you give an example of Buddhism. So are some Christians, but too many (at least, many of the ones which they say a lot so that a lot of people hear of it) aren't that benign unfortunately. But many Christians are good, too.

Also, some atheists are religious, too.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#33

Post by ASalazarMX »

lcall wrote: post #28
ASalazarMX wrote: post #23

Didn't bother reading the article since most comments say it's worthless. I expected a talk about measured brain activity. I was raised a catholic, and the most prevalent feelings I got out of that was paranoia and fear. They teach you there's an omnipresent, omniscient, all-powerful being judging your every thought 24/7, for all your life. He's personally interested in you, he says he loves you dearly, but for some…

As a religious person, I wouldn't personally teach the fear business that you describe. Choices matter, and I believe He has provided us consequences, as well as opportunity for complete forgiveness and tremendous opportunity for learning and growth, with family ties and other benefits that can go beyond the grave. Details at http://lukecall.net/e-9223372036854587400.html (a simple site). (Maybe I should have made my…

It's not that fear is purposefully taught. Your first indoctrinators are your parents, and they love you, they hardly would harm you.

It's just that indoctrination starts even before your identity and common sense develop. You grow up thinking crime thought and the thought police are real, and that really messes with your sense of security. I suppose different kids internalize that in different ways. For me, it was crazy believing I was being watched and judged all the time.

Yes, there is good that happens for religious reasons, but the bad that usually comes along is an expensive price to pay in exchange. People can do good in this world without supernatural incentives.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#34

Post by ASalazarMX »

gremlinsinc wrote: post #24
ASalazarMX wrote: post #23

Didn't bother reading the article since most comments say it's worthless. I expected a talk about measured brain activity. I was raised a catholic, and the most prevalent feelings I got out of that was paranoia and fear. They teach you there's an omnipresent, omniscient, all-powerful being judging your every thought 24/7, for all your life. He's personally interested in you, he says he loves you dearly, but for some…

I agree w/ the parts that we aren't belief-less heathens. I'm still inspired and awestruck as an exmormon/agnostic when I see a beautiful space image or sunset. Or just watching my kids experience new things for the first time. I find I'm more spiritual as an agnostic than I was before losing religion, spiritual to me is just feeling inspired or 'touched' by a movie or book or event in my life. It's about honoring th…

> I still believe an afterlife could exist, but it isn't controlled by a deity, it'd just be energy being re-used which happens all the time in nature.

It certainly would be amazing, but I chose to take a more pragmatic approach. Since we can't disprove the afterlife, I live my life as if it's the only one. That doesn't mean living feverishly, just enjoying the moment more.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#35

Post by dang »

lorriman wrote: post #5

A great deal of speculation in that article. Sounds more like psycotherapy ideas than real psychology/neuroscience. Meanwhile, let's look at the (paraphrased) claims: "Science is not compatible with religion." Yet the Big Bang theory was invented by a physicist who went on to become a Catholic priest, George Lemaitre. And the father of modern genetics is not Darwin but a catholic monk, Gregor Mendel. hmmm. Both had g…

Please don't do religious flamewar on HN. It's all the same, and nothing good ever comes of it. No one will be persuaded about such profound things on the internet; all that happens is that people whose feelings get triggered show up to carp at each other.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#36

Post by dang »

me_me_me wrote: post #22
lorriman wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean you suppose it to be imaginary. The example isn't the same as religious claims. Firstly because all religious people claim that the 'invisible' friend will talk back if you make the effort to make contact (with few exceptions, but some are: the arrogant, the idly curious, those who wouldn't change their lives even if they knew). And unlike fairies at the bottom of the garden, a supreme being has by definitio…

>> You mean you suppose it to be imaginary. ... if you'd talk to schizophrenic, you also refer to their imaginations as 'supposed imaginations'? All you are trying to do is bend reality to fit your view. By shifting my word and redefining stuff. There is no difference between imaginary friend of you child and god. >> So sure, I can't prove a god's existence Thank you, end of conversation. Anything else added after 'b…

Please don't do religious flamewar on HN, and please especially don't cross into personal attack, because we ban accounts that do that. It doesn't matter how wrong or annoying another commenter is being.

If you'd review https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and use HN in its intended spirit, we'd be grateful.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#37

Post by lorriman »

dang wrote: post #35
lorriman wrote: post #5

A great deal of speculation in that article. Sounds more like psycotherapy ideas than real psychology/neuroscience. Meanwhile, let's look at the (paraphrased) claims: "Science is not compatible with religion." Yet the Big Bang theory was invented by a physicist who went on to become a Catholic priest, George Lemaitre. And the father of modern genetics is not Darwin but a catholic monk, Gregor Mendel. hmmm. Both had g…

Please don't do religious flamewar on HN. It's all the same, and nothing good ever comes of it. No one will be persuaded about such profound things on the internet; all that happens is that people whose feelings get triggered show up to carp at each other. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

How was what I wrote a 'flamewar'? And especially in the context of the anti-religious views that elsewhere were not flagged nor called flamewars. What's your agenda, Dang?

Politics, religion, philosophy, these are worthwhile things to discuss.

And fun.

Now leave us be to have fun.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#38

Post by lorriman »

me_me_me wrote: post #18
lorriman wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Nope. A-theist simply means someone who lacks theism." Actually it was coined by theists without a strict reference to the greek and was defined as "To Deny the gods/God". Lately, the OED modified the definition to "To Deny or disbelieve in the gods/God", which is actually quite a radical change and has thoroughly muddied the waters of discourse. But really, think about it: if atheists are going to call religious pe…

>>We should also ask, why are atheists telling us they merely lack belief when they walk and talk like they genuinely believe there is no god, even to callign religious instruciton child abuse (Dawkins). And why are they insisting on redefining 'atheist'? Is there a god? Myabe yes, maybe no. There is no way to tell. Is there a christian god, absolutely not (same with any other religion claiming their god is the one).…

Why is there no Christian god? Where does the 'absolute not' come from?

I ask that for two reasons: scientist Christians clergyman invented the Big Bang theory AND are at the root of evolutionary theory.

That is a most bizarre coincidence. There just aren't that many scientist clergyman, even historically.

Secondly, because Christianity fully answers the outstanding question: why do the innocent suffer.

While almost all the other monotheisms define their supreme beings the same way, which is already evidence of a god, they don't fully address that question.

"I think that's the nuanced position of Dawkins"

First I've heard of Dawkins' 'nuanced' position. "the God Delusion" is not a subtle title. It also means he's a true believer and irrational.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#39

Post by dang »

lorriman wrote: post #37
dang wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please don't do religious flamewar on HN. It's all the same, and nothing good ever comes of it. No one will be persuaded about such profound things on the internet; all that happens is that people whose feelings get triggered show up to carp at each other. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

How was what I wrote a 'flamewar'? And especially in the context of the anti-religious views that elsewhere were not flagged nor called flamewars. What's your agenda, Dang? Politics, religion, philosophy, these are worthwhile things to discuss. And fun. Now leave us be to have fun.

HN is not for generic discussions about grandiose topics that always get people riled up. Those discussions are not driven by intellectual curiosity, which is the organizing value of this site. They turn into ideological battles and tangents, which produce mediocre comments. It's a clear win for HN not to host such arguments, so you should look elsewhere for that variety of 'fun'.

I know it always feels like the mods are biased against you, but I've scolded plenty of anti-religious zealots for breaking the HN guidelines over the years, including at least one in this thread.

Re: What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Believing in God

#40

Post by notus »

benjohnson wrote: post #26
notus wrote: post #21

I'm just going to talk about something semi-related since the article is trash. This is all anecdotal btw. The concept of virtue. I find that people who are religious talk about virtue more than those who don't. I'm not saying that they are virtuous, just that they seem to think/talk about it more. I see certain virtues on the rise like frugalness, humanity, wholesomeness, but then there are others I see on a decline…

>> I find that people who are religious talk about virtue more than those who don't There's a lot of practical stored up value in the religion that I practice - listening to the wisdom of generations of people certainly helps with discerning how it live well in the short time we have here on this earth. While I have no doubt that a sensitive and intelligent person could figure most of this out for themselves, it woul…

I think the ancients had it figured out more or less. The 12 roman virtues and classical stoicism are still very applicable today. What religion do you practice?
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