Happy Atheist Forum

General => Science => Topic started by: Whitney on May 26, 2009, 05:47:20 AM

Title: NPR: The Science of Spirituality
Post by: Whitney on May 26, 2009, 05:47:20 AM
I haven't read any of these but they were recommended reading from an atheist.  He suggested them because he thinks that god can be a scientific subject and there is no need to think there is some line where science must stop investigation.

Decoding the Mystery of Near Death Experiences:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =104397005 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104397005)
Can Positive Thoughts Help Heal Another Person:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =104351710 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104351710)
Prayer May Reshape Your Brain...and Your Reality:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =104310443 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104310443)
The God Chemical:  Brain Chemistry and Mysticism:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =104240746 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104240746)
What Turns People into Spiritual Virtuosos:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =104132738 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104132738)
Isn't God a Trip?:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =104066681 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104066681)

Anyway, they might not all be scientific, I just thought I'd share since I was given a list of potential scientific articles related to spirituality.
Title: Re: NPR: The Science of Spirituality
Post by: Sophus on May 26, 2009, 06:38:58 AM
These are very interesting. Thanks so much Whitney. Be sure to read the one on reshaping the brain. I wonder if it's possibly to reshape it after it has been reshaped... Maybe there really is no hope for someone who has been immensely religious for such a long time.
Title: Re: NPR: The Science of Spirituality
Post by: karadan on May 26, 2009, 10:02:43 AM
Quote from: "Sophus"These are very interesting. Thanks so much Whitney. Be sure to read the one on reshaping the brain. I wonder if it's possibly to reshape it after it has been reshaped... Maybe there really is no hope for someone who has been immensely religious for such a long time.

I think that must be true for a great many things. The term 'set in their ways' comes to mind.
Title: Re: NPR: The Science of Spirituality
Post by: SSY on May 26, 2009, 03:07:05 PM
Science can definatley be applied to the lives/behavior/physiology of beleivers, but science stops when something is impossible to predict.
Title: Re: NPR: The Science of Spirituality
Post by: Sophus on May 28, 2009, 07:31:11 PM
Quote from: "karadan"
Quote from: "Sophus"These are very interesting. Thanks so much Whitney. Be sure to read the one on reshaping the brain. I wonder if it's possibly to reshape it after it has been reshaped... Maybe there really is no hope for someone who has been immensely religious for such a long time.

I think that must be true for a great many things. The term 'set in their ways' comes to mind.
Right.

It makes me rethink freewill in a purely psychological sense too. We really are a slave to our own minds. It's almost like you have to leave religion fairly young or dare not leaving at all. Would be interesting to see statistics on that.