Religion in general...

[Yakk]

Interestingly research with FMRI show a specific brain area lights up when someone is thinking about religion. The same very specific region of the brain also lights up in athiests when thinking about athiestism.

This very specific area of the brain sees activity ONLY when thinking about religion or athiestism. Researchers are actively looking into why this area of the brain seems dedicated specifically to religion/athistism as it is otherwise a waste of brain resources.

But so far their best hypothesis is it seems the brain is built to believe into something; be that religion, or the absence of religion. Why the brain appears to have this requirement to begin with is still unknown.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Interestingly research with FMRI show a specific brain area lights up when someone is thinking about religion. The same very specific region of the brain also lights up in athiests when thinking about athiestism.

This very specific area of the brain sees activity ONLY when thinking about religion or athiestism. Researchers are actively looking into why this area of the brain seems dedicated specifically to religion/athistism as it is otherwise a waste of brain resources.

But so far their best hypothesis is it seems the brain is built to believe into something; be that religion, or the absence of religion. Why the brain appears to have this requirement to begin with is still unknown.

You say 'lights up', but it makes me wonder how bright. It's interesting to me that with most organized religions that there is typically few leaders and a lot of followers. I believe that some of the leaders are good people who are sticking to their beliefs and they have solid reasoning behind their beliefs and actions....and of course, there are a bunch of people that would totally disagree with them. What always bothers me is how people can believe in something so strongly and totally abandon tolerance of others' beliefs. The argument is either, "kill them because they're wrong" or "I was only trying to save them because that's what I was commanded to do". That whole thing wears me out. I'd rather spend my time enjoying alcohol and secular music.

 

[WelshBloke]

Interestingly research with FMRI show a specific brain area lights up when someone is thinking about religion. The same very specific region of the brain also lights up in athiests when thinking about athiestism.

This very specific area of the brain sees activity ONLY when thinking about religion or athiestism. Researchers are actively looking into why this area of the brain seems dedicated specifically to religion/athistism as it is otherwise a waste of brain resources.

But so far their best hypothesis is it seems the brain is built to believe into something; be that religion, or the absence of religion. Why the brain appears to have this requirement to begin with is still unknown.

What is "thinking about atheism"? I'm an Atheist but I don't go around thinking about it. There isn't anything to think about. I just don't believe in something. I don't believe in loads of things. If I spent all my time thinking about things that I don't belive in I wouldn't have time to do anything.

 

[agent00f]

It doesn't make sense because it's summarized incorrectly. Most likely it's some study that compares results from the religious vs atheists on factual or mythical statements.

Current research is so far away from any coherent model of conscious thought that it's frankly pure speculation what an very crude tool like fMRI can show.

 

[ItsMeeYourDaddy]

Religion is only a cultural phenomenon in my opinion. Giant cliques, clubs if you will, constantly fighting for who is better. When it comes to a God, if there is one at all, you will know, but only when your already lying gutted, in a wooden box about to be lowered into a ground, like your dead-dead, then you will know whats beyond this planet. But now you can only speculate. Is it going to be Jesus, or Allah or one of the Hindu deities or there might just be total darkness, or instant reincarnation, or an elevator with non-stop smooth jazz elevator music. And as far as atheism goes, I am my own version but a more revised, I call it P.F.A.B. (Prepared For Anything Beyond). P.S.- Christianity is just a giant money making machine/bank and Islam was created by a guy who saw things due to a heat stroke from being in the desert too long.

 

[MongGrel]

What is "thinking about atheism ?

I have no idea.