[rael-science] The God spots revealed: Scientists find areas of the brain responsible for spirituality

วันจันทร์ที่ 23 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2555


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The Raelian Movement
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133032/There-God-spot-new-research-
claims-instead-spirituality-exists-brain.html

The God spots revealed: Scientists find areas of the brain responsible for
spirituality

PUBLISHED: 06:15 GMT, 21 April 2012 | UPDATED: 06:57 GMT, 21 April 2012

Scientists have speculated for years that the human brain features a 'God
spot,' one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality.

Now, University of Missouri researchers have completed research that
indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon and that multiple areas of
the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences.

The new work is based on a previously published study that indicated
spiritual transcendence is associated with decreased right parietal lobe
functioning,
New research has indicated that there is no one God-spot in the human brain
and that in fact spirituality is stimulated across all lobes in the brain

New research has indicated that there is no one God-spot in the human brain
and that in fact spirituality is stimulated across all lobes in the brain

Missouri University (MU) researchers replicated their findings. In addition,
the researchers determined that other aspects of spiritual functioning are
related to increased activity in the frontal lobe.

'We have found a neuropsychological basis for spirituality, but it's not
isolated to one specific area of the brain,' said Brick Johnstone, professor
of health psychology in the School of Health Professions.

'Spirituality is a much more dynamic concept that uses many parts of the
brain.'

'Certain parts of the brain play more predominant roles, but they all work
together to facilitate individuals' spiritual experiences.'
Previous research had pointed to the existence of a single God-spot that was
stimulated by religious experience but a new study claims that is not the
case

Previous research had pointed to the existence of a single God-spot that was
stimulated by religious experience but a new study claims that is not the
case

In the most recent study, Johnstone studied 20 people with traumatic brain
injuries affecting the right parietal lobe, the area of the brain situated a
few inches above the right ear.

He surveyed participants on characteristics of spirituality, such as how
close they felt to a higher power and if they felt their lives were part of
a divine plan.

He found that the participants with more significant injury to their right
parietal lobe showed an increased feeling of closeness to a higher power.

'Neuropsychology researchers consistently have shown that impairment on the
right side of the brain decreases one's focus on the self,' said Johnstone.

'Since our research shows that people with this impairment are more
spiritual, this suggests spiritual experiences are associated with a
decreased focus on the self.
Professor Brick Johnstone of Missouri University's study sees no difference
in the mind of a Buddhist or Christian when religious experiences occur

Professor Brick Johnstone of Missouri University's study sees no difference
in the mind of a Buddhist or Christian when religious experiences occur

'This is is consistent with many religious texts that suggest people should
concentrate on the well-being of others rather than on themselves.'

Johnstone says the right side of the brain is associated with
self-orientation, whereas the left side is associated with how individuals
relate to others.

Although Johnstone studied people with brain injury, previous studies of
Buddhist meditators and Franciscan nuns with normal brain function have
shown that people can learn to minimize the functioning of the right side of
their brains to increase their spiritual connections during meditation and
prayer.

In addition, Johnstone measured the frequency of participants' religious
practices, such as how often they attended church or listened to religious
programs.

He measured activity in the frontal lobe and found a correlation between
increased activity in this part of the brain and increased participation in
religious practices.

The research indicated that there are all kinds of spiritual experiences
that Christians might call closeness to God and atheists might call an
awareness of themselves.

'This finding indicates that spiritual experiences are likely associated
with different parts of the brain," said Johnstone.

Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133032/There-God-spot-new-research-
claims-instead-spirituality-exists-brain.html#ixzz1snAlfGTT

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clearer, I add a comment, which in this case was very clear: I support
decriminalizing all drugs, as it is stupid to throw depressed and sad
people (as only depressed and sad people use drugs) in prison and ruin
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of course, and with the wonderful sentence of the French philosopher
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the death your right to say it". 





-- 
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"Ethics" is simply a last-gasp attempt by deist conservatives and
orthodox dogmatics to keep humanity in ignorance and obscurantism,
through the well tried fermentation of fear, the fear of science and
new technologies.

There is nothing glorious about what our ancestors call history, 
it is simply a succession of mistakes, intolerances and violations.

On the contrary, let us embrace Science and the new technologies
unfettered, for it is these which will liberate mankind from the
myth of god, and free us from our age old fears, from disease,
death and the sweat of labour.

Rael
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WARNING FROM RAEL: For those who don't use their intelligence at its
full capacity, the label "selected by RAEL" on some articles does not
mean that I agree with their content or support it. "Selected by RAEL"
means that I believe it is important for the people of this planet to
know about what people think or do, even when what they think or do is
completely stupid and against our philosophy. When I selected articles
in the past about stupid Christian fundamentalists in America praying
for rain, I am sure no Rael-Science reader was stupid enough to
believe that I was supporting praying to change the weather. So, when
I select articles which are in favor of drugs, anti-semitic,
anti-Jewish, racist, revisionist, or inciting hatred against any group
or religion, or any other stupid article, it does not mean that I
support them. It just means that it is important for all human beings
to know about them. Common sense, which is usually very good among our
readers, is good enough to understand that. When, like in the recent
articles on drug decriminalization, it is necessary to make it
clearer, I add a comment, which in this case was very clear: I support
decriminalizing all drugs, as it is stupid to throw depressed and sad
people (as only depressed and sad people use drugs) in prison and ruin
their life with a criminal record. That does not mean that there is
any change to the Message which says clearly that we must not use any
drug except for medical purposes. The same applies to the freedom of
expression which must be absolute. That does not mean again of course
that I agree with anti-Jews, antisemites, racists of any kind or
anti-Raelians. But by knowing your enemies or the enemies of your
values, you are better equipped to fight them. With love and respect
of course, and with the wonderful sentence of the French philosopher
Voltaire in mind: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to
the death your right to say it".