I love your videos so much! You should do a whole book just on the psychology / neuroscience in church services. From the crowd psychology, to the euphoric feeling people attribute to being "god's presence" , to the music, to the youth group conventions for teenagers with rock band type of music on the stage etc. It's amazing.
@AaronHubler Thank you for your kind words. If you read The God Virus, you will find that I have discussed some of the ideas you mention though there is much to explore for sure. Also, take a look at our Sex and Secularism report at ipcpress.com and the video on my recent lecture about the report. It is in this play list.
Wouldn't the same thing be true of any large environment, such as going to a school? Teachers getting you excited about learning, so that you can learn what is taught. So isn't that also brain washing? or whatever you want to call it? And we know from history that often times what is taught is wrong, so with a failing record, why do we keep teaching these things?
@bluefootedpig You miss one critical point, crowd psychology is designed to manipulate people into doing things that are in the best interest of the god virus NOT of the individual. Excellent teachers get students excited about learning things that help them. Yes, as science and knowledge progresses, things can be wrong. A good teacher teaches critical thinking so the student learns not only facts but methods of evaluating facts. Preachers discourage fact checking in church.
@damon132 I can see that, and where you are coming from. Although I would argue, if the best interest of the god virus is also the interest in humanity, what is so wrong? Being kind to your neighbors, teaching forgiveness, to be debt free, etc.
And on teachers, very few teachers teach critical thinking. Heck, I took a class on that and was told what to think. Why don't we teach intelligent design? How can you be critical if only one option is presented?
@bluefootedpig I would be happy to have schools teach intelligent design if they also taught the Hopi Indian creation story, the Hindu Creation story and the Flying Spaghetti Monster story, and all other creation stories. If you teach one mythology, you have to teach them all. There is no way to test any of these ideas. There are many ways to test evolution, that is why it is a science all the others are religions. What makes your intelligent design any better than any of the others?
That is so not true, I attended a church with less than 30 people present for 4 years and I experienced this so called "euphoria." You don't need to be a part of an environment comparable to a football game to feel euphoria. For me, I feel this great experience through my knowledge of Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him.
@oneness978 You have a particularly deep infection. It doesn't take a crowd to give you a feeling of transcendence. Crowds are just one way. There are many ways to feel transcendent, ask any Buddhist, Moslem, Mormon, American Indian. Simple breathing techniques can do the same as can drugs, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, hunger, etc. That is why so many religions use all or some of these to infect people with their particular god virus.
@damon132 Your definition of transcendence is an "appeal to emotion". Lol. You simply cannot understand a "spiritual experience" through empirical research. Which is why scientists can't understand "demonic possession." Go figure.
@oneness978 I live in the real world where science cures illnesses and diagnoses diseases, etc. Demons don't cause illnesses as your Jesus god seems to think. People don't get miraculously cured by the holy spirit god or the Mary god. Funny how all those religious people go to the doctor rather than a minister or priest. If prayer healed anyone, it would have done so during the plague or any other disease of the middle ages. I am betting you go to a doctor rather than an exorcist.
@damon132 Hahaha, no one said anything about "demons causing illnesses." There's no indication in the Bible that EVERY disease is caused by demons. You can't possibly explain every case where doctor's and scientists were baffled at a patient's miraculous recovery from a fatal diagnosed disease, LOGICALLY, right??? If you can then bring every one of those, MIRACULOUS, cases out in the open and scientifically explain how the patients fully recovered.
@damon132 "Funny how all those religious people go to the doctor rather than a minister or priest."
Really??? Then tell me why, being religious (as you non-believers call us), I have a family doctor and an optometrist. You're making judgements without critical thought. So for you to so ignorantly and arrogantly presume that ALL Christians initially (or only) see a minister/excorcist show's how selectively perceptive you are. And for your information, my best friend was miraculously cured. =p
@oneness978 Your best friend was cured by the intervention of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, now prove me wrong. When you learn what the meaning of critical thought is, you will be well on your way to understanding the scientific method, until then you will continue to believe in demons, gods, angels and other invisible friends and enemies just as your Jesus god did. Study the Flying Spaghetti monster to understand real miracles.
I read an article recently that described an fMRI study that demonstrated how the area of the brain where people feel "God" is the same exact spot where the person would experience sensations of self-reinforcement. They could also artificially stimulate (in the brain) feelings of a "presence" when no one was there.
@cacherry1 You are correct. There is more and more brain research that shows definitively that the brain is capable of creating all sorts of illusions and delusions when under oxygen deprivation, electrical stimulation or chemical influence. Even the experience of a "god" or other presence, can be stimulated. Looks like the god of the gaps has one less gap to inhabit.
Religion is outdated, man is special not for his appearance, but for his imagination, something unique and mighty, a man can live any life he wants to, devoid of sadness if they so choose, we can live within our own minds, and yet we allow others to tell us how to.
It is obvious that you assume from the beginning that we are no more than chemicals and reactions of envirement.You have also ignored that true christianity is definately not a emotion based experience although they mabe a byproduct
@frontfooted So if Christianity is not an emotionally based religion, it follows that Islam, Hinduism and Shamanism are not emotionally based either. They must all be rationally based! How can you distinguish between what is emotionally based and what is not.
Thanks for the video, this has been on my mind. I was especially contemplating the football frenzy here in SA there is the saying "Massen denken nicht, sie fühlen" which means that masses don't think they feel.. I'm more and more starting to see religion has capable of more harm than good. Religious experiences are purely psychological..do you think it can lead to pyschopathology?
Mass movements almost always have an element of psychopathology to them. Whether the individuals are themselves, psychopathic, is clearly not true. At the same time, the leaders may be sociopathic and incredibly manipulative of the emotions of the group. Whether Hitler or David Koresh, Joseph Smith or Jesus, all have incredible power to emotionally manipulate. It is hard for people to reason in the face of eternal fear, flames, hell, etc.
At church today, as objectively as I could, tried to see if what you say applies to my church. My minister does not use repetition or rhythm. The music was ok but I certainly didn't have any "spiritual" experience because of it. It was music that's all. We call it worship and I sang along. The sermon was interesting and kept my attention so I did not nod off in some hypnotized state. I kept your God virus thing on my mind the whole time. It just doesn't apply as you stated. Please explain.
Another experiment you might try is going to a religion that is not familiar to you. You are too infected with your own to see the manipulation. Go to a catholic mass or a moslem sermon or watch one on TV or YouTube. It is easier to see when you are not too close to it, then recognize that all the techniques are are obvious in other religions are present in your own as well.
Here's the problem that I see. And I really honestly think I am looking at this objectively. It is like you are taking all the "goings on" in a church and making it out to be evil. I understand some of what you are saying. I agree there is manipulation in religion. It just seems so far fetched to think that every sermon from my minister is riddled with evil intent. That the service is planned with manipulation in mind. I have a little more credit for the average christian church.
@wlomond How would you characterize the sermons of an Imam or a Morman preacher or a Church of Christ Scientists? Or any number of other preachers of religious doctrine. Are their sermons benign or are they designed to lure new converts into the fold and keep those already there? Would you call that manipulative? How is that different than a Christian sermon?
@wlomond hypnosis doesn't make you sleep, per se, more a state of heightened awareness but one that's susceptible to suggestion. Darrel is correct that the best way to observe is to go to a service that's foreign to you. The programming of your "native" faith can't be cracked while you are a participant. However it may be difficult to see correlations w/ protestant techniques because there are some striking differences in cadence and delivery that aren't present in other faiths. But I digress.
What you are describing here doesn't happen in the churches I attend. It is not ignorance if I don't fit under classification of what happens in churches.
There may be churches you describe well but certainly not the ones I attend.
i tried believing this crap too, however the majority of Christians today do not believe the same doctrine and despite some essentials they argue a lot..needlessly
i looked at how people were manipulated by music and how they seek aproval for it in rhythm but im sorry to tell you its the same thing going on here
dont lie to yourself you secularists, did you not look at the rating of this video? do you not read these comments also to seek approval
Haha. You seem to be suffering from severe projection, compartmentalization and confirmation bias.
Get an education (no, Liberty U doesn't count), and see why any literal interpretation of the Bible is utter nonsense; then you may start understanding why it's horribly wrong on a moralistic level too.
religion can be compared to sports. the red wings are better than the leafs. people would be willing to beat me up for this belief. just like religion. religion charges people up like that.
After spending the first 35 years of my life in Christian churches, singing in the choir most of those years, preaching in many churches, teaching Sunday school for many years, reading your bible inside and out, taking a MA in religion and a Doc. in Psy. etc. I think I have enough experience to comment on the psychological impact of religious techniques.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (New International Version) 18Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"[a]; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."[b]
As one of those CRAZY Christians that you brazenly portray us to be (easily manipulated, group-thinking, and in danger of giving money away), I am somewhat amiss by the broad brush strokes that you use to characterize us. You seem to lump us all together as if we all experience the same thing during the music portion of a Sunday church service. It is evident that you have a very limited view of the Christian church yet speak as if an authority.
I find his view of the Christian church strikingly accurate, I think you should read your comment again right before the next time you go to church and rethink it.
Some of the most influential persons in history (those that fought against manipulation, group-think, and injustice) were Christians.Actually, several of the most striking instances of securing human rights were Christian to the core and used their beliefs and faith to alter the course of humankind. Wilburforce fought to end the slave trade; Martin Luther King was a deeply religious man and his deeds are self explanatory.Without these men (Christian men) the world would be a much uglier place.
@dizoda some of the most influential persons in history were also not Christian, eg. Ghandi, Einstein. Some of the most evil persons in history were Christian, eg, Torqmada the head of the Inquisition, Hitler who professed his deep faith in Mein Kampf and has never been excommunicated. Religious people tend to cherry pick history to make their particular religion look best. Schindler was an atheist, but certainly did more than almost any Christian to save Jews in WWII.
After spending the first 35 years of my life in Christian churches, singing in the choir most of those years, preaching in many churches, teaching Sunday school for many years, reading your bible inside and out, taking a MA in religion and a Doc. in Psy. etc. I think I have enough experience to comment on the psychological impact of religious techniques.
i call it the "religious" feeling, you can get it by a lot of other means: try eating mushrooms, and talk meta- para- psychology friend, you and your friend will get the religious feeling, (maybeeven without mush!)
Yes, it is the same thing. When crowds of people get together under well designed conditions like a rock concert or church, their brains seem to go into a common brain wave that can then be manipulated by the leader. I a convinced that many ministers are themselves in an altered state of consciousness when preaching. The music and rhythm also help to synchronize the brains of the congregation.
Yes, on the shoulders of giants like Bertrand Russell, Richard Dawkins, Albert Ellis, Daniel Dennett, Sigmund Freud and many others. Nevertheless, the packaging makes it more understandable to everyone without the need for deep theoretical understanding.
I've heard some idea's about this common brain wave synchronization, doesn't it also resort to the lowest common denominator? It explains a facit why youngsters enjoy concerts more than elders, depending on only the most primal parts of the brain. Appropriate for a concert, but in a group of adults who think they are being rational =?= bizaar.
Hitler used it a lot. a mass psychosis sort of thing. One of the reasons I never eve go to rock concerts. I dont like myself in that altered state of conciensness.
so no musicals or movies either then? or perhaps music or even art these are all things that trigger different chemicals in your brain. But religion tells you that this feeling comes from an outer source and in order for you to feel it you have to follow its rules.
Thanks for posting this. I'll have to add this book to my collection. It's interesting to read both sides, but of late particularly I'm noticing the scientific bankruptcy of the theist response-books to folks like Dawkins, Harris, etc.
MANIPULATION- KEY WORD
Thanks for the candid exposure
love83forever 5 months ago
I love your videos so much! You should do a whole book just on the psychology / neuroscience in church services. From the crowd psychology, to the euphoric feeling people attribute to being "god's presence" , to the music, to the youth group conventions for teenagers with rock band type of music on the stage etc. It's amazing.
AaronHubler 9 months ago
@AaronHubler Thank you for your kind words. If you read The God Virus, you will find that I have discussed some of the ideas you mention though there is much to explore for sure. Also, take a look at our Sex and Secularism report at ipcpress.com and the video on my recent lecture about the report. It is in this play list.
damon132 9 months ago
This man speaks my words for me. I have always said that the brain is the most complexed and can be manipulated.
fulfilled123 9 months ago
Wouldn't the same thing be true of any large environment, such as going to a school? Teachers getting you excited about learning, so that you can learn what is taught. So isn't that also brain washing? or whatever you want to call it? And we know from history that often times what is taught is wrong, so with a failing record, why do we keep teaching these things?
bluefootedpig 1 year ago
@bluefootedpig You miss one critical point, crowd psychology is designed to manipulate people into doing things that are in the best interest of the god virus NOT of the individual. Excellent teachers get students excited about learning things that help them. Yes, as science and knowledge progresses, things can be wrong. A good teacher teaches critical thinking so the student learns not only facts but methods of evaluating facts. Preachers discourage fact checking in church.
damon132 1 year ago
@damon132 I can see that, and where you are coming from. Although I would argue, if the best interest of the god virus is also the interest in humanity, what is so wrong? Being kind to your neighbors, teaching forgiveness, to be debt free, etc.
And on teachers, very few teachers teach critical thinking. Heck, I took a class on that and was told what to think. Why don't we teach intelligent design? How can you be critical if only one option is presented?
bluefootedpig 1 year ago
@bluefootedpig I would be happy to have schools teach intelligent design if they also taught the Hopi Indian creation story, the Hindu Creation story and the Flying Spaghetti Monster story, and all other creation stories. If you teach one mythology, you have to teach them all. There is no way to test any of these ideas. There are many ways to test evolution, that is why it is a science all the others are religions. What makes your intelligent design any better than any of the others?
damon132 1 year ago
That is so not true, I attended a church with less than 30 people present for 4 years and I experienced this so called "euphoria." You don't need to be a part of an environment comparable to a football game to feel euphoria. For me, I feel this great experience through my knowledge of Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him.
oneness978 1 year ago
@oneness978 You have a particularly deep infection. It doesn't take a crowd to give you a feeling of transcendence. Crowds are just one way. There are many ways to feel transcendent, ask any Buddhist, Moslem, Mormon, American Indian. Simple breathing techniques can do the same as can drugs, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, hunger, etc. That is why so many religions use all or some of these to infect people with their particular god virus.
damon132 1 year ago
@damon132 Your definition of transcendence is an "appeal to emotion". Lol. You simply cannot understand a "spiritual experience" through empirical research. Which is why scientists can't understand "demonic possession." Go figure.
oneness978 1 year ago
@oneness978 I live in the real world where science cures illnesses and diagnoses diseases, etc. Demons don't cause illnesses as your Jesus god seems to think. People don't get miraculously cured by the holy spirit god or the Mary god. Funny how all those religious people go to the doctor rather than a minister or priest. If prayer healed anyone, it would have done so during the plague or any other disease of the middle ages. I am betting you go to a doctor rather than an exorcist.
damon132 1 year ago
@damon132 Hahaha, no one said anything about "demons causing illnesses." There's no indication in the Bible that EVERY disease is caused by demons. You can't possibly explain every case where doctor's and scientists were baffled at a patient's miraculous recovery from a fatal diagnosed disease, LOGICALLY, right??? If you can then bring every one of those, MIRACULOUS, cases out in the open and scientifically explain how the patients fully recovered.
oneness978 1 year ago
@damon132 "Funny how all those religious people go to the doctor rather than a minister or priest."
Really??? Then tell me why, being religious (as you non-believers call us), I have a family doctor and an optometrist. You're making judgements without critical thought. So for you to so ignorantly and arrogantly presume that ALL Christians initially (or only) see a minister/excorcist show's how selectively perceptive you are. And for your information, my best friend was miraculously cured. =p
oneness978 1 year ago
@oneness978 Your best friend was cured by the intervention of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, now prove me wrong. When you learn what the meaning of critical thought is, you will be well on your way to understanding the scientific method, until then you will continue to believe in demons, gods, angels and other invisible friends and enemies just as your Jesus god did. Study the Flying Spaghetti monster to understand real miracles.
damon132 1 year ago
@oneness978 hahahaha. As a child, I spent 17 years with a speech disorder because my family wanted saints to cure me instead of a speech therapist.
rpcarnell 1 year ago
antitheist19 . wordpress . com
I have a blog where I write about the psychology of religion, so if you're interested...
Metamorphosis20091 1 year ago
antitheist19 . wordpress . com
I have a blog where I write about the psychology of religion, so if you're interested...
Metamorphosis20091 1 year ago
I read an article recently that described an fMRI study that demonstrated how the area of the brain where people feel "God" is the same exact spot where the person would experience sensations of self-reinforcement. They could also artificially stimulate (in the brain) feelings of a "presence" when no one was there.
cacherry1 1 year ago
@cacherry1 You are correct. There is more and more brain research that shows definitively that the brain is capable of creating all sorts of illusions and delusions when under oxygen deprivation, electrical stimulation or chemical influence. Even the experience of a "god" or other presence, can be stimulated. Looks like the god of the gaps has one less gap to inhabit.
damon132 1 year ago
@damon132
Religion is outdated, man is special not for his appearance, but for his imagination, something unique and mighty, a man can live any life he wants to, devoid of sadness if they so choose, we can live within our own minds, and yet we allow others to tell us how to.
noeyedeer2jk89sx 1 year ago
It is obvious that you assume from the beginning that we are no more than chemicals and reactions of envirement.You have also ignored that true christianity is definately not a emotion based experience although they mabe a byproduct
frontfooted 1 year ago
@frontfooted So if Christianity is not an emotionally based religion, it follows that Islam, Hinduism and Shamanism are not emotionally based either. They must all be rationally based! How can you distinguish between what is emotionally based and what is not.
damon132 1 year ago
Thanks for the video, this has been on my mind. I was especially contemplating the football frenzy here in SA there is the saying "Massen denken nicht, sie fühlen" which means that masses don't think they feel.. I'm more and more starting to see religion has capable of more harm than good. Religious experiences are purely psychological..do you think it can lead to pyschopathology?
skaley01 1 year ago
Mass movements almost always have an element of psychopathology to them. Whether the individuals are themselves, psychopathic, is clearly not true. At the same time, the leaders may be sociopathic and incredibly manipulative of the emotions of the group. Whether Hitler or David Koresh, Joseph Smith or Jesus, all have incredible power to emotionally manipulate. It is hard for people to reason in the face of eternal fear, flames, hell, etc.
damon132 1 year ago
At church today, as objectively as I could, tried to see if what you say applies to my church. My minister does not use repetition or rhythm. The music was ok but I certainly didn't have any "spiritual" experience because of it. It was music that's all. We call it worship and I sang along. The sermon was interesting and kept my attention so I did not nod off in some hypnotized state. I kept your God virus thing on my mind the whole time. It just doesn't apply as you stated. Please explain.
wlomond 2 years ago
You can't learn what I am talking about from a video. Read the book. Then go to church and take a fresh look.
damon132 2 years ago
Another experiment you might try is going to a religion that is not familiar to you. You are too infected with your own to see the manipulation. Go to a catholic mass or a moslem sermon or watch one on TV or YouTube. It is easier to see when you are not too close to it, then recognize that all the techniques are are obvious in other religions are present in your own as well.
damon132 1 year ago
Here's the problem that I see. And I really honestly think I am looking at this objectively. It is like you are taking all the "goings on" in a church and making it out to be evil. I understand some of what you are saying. I agree there is manipulation in religion. It just seems so far fetched to think that every sermon from my minister is riddled with evil intent. That the service is planned with manipulation in mind. I have a little more credit for the average christian church.
wlomond 1 year ago
@wlomond How would you characterize the sermons of an Imam or a Morman preacher or a Church of Christ Scientists? Or any number of other preachers of religious doctrine. Are their sermons benign or are they designed to lure new converts into the fold and keep those already there? Would you call that manipulative? How is that different than a Christian sermon?
damon132 1 year ago
@wlomond
Look at a series of videos made by "AnticitizenX" called "Psychology in Belief".
RedAlphaDingo 1 year ago
@wlomond hypnosis doesn't make you sleep, per se, more a state of heightened awareness but one that's susceptible to suggestion. Darrel is correct that the best way to observe is to go to a service that's foreign to you. The programming of your "native" faith can't be cracked while you are a participant. However it may be difficult to see correlations w/ protestant techniques because there are some striking differences in cadence and delivery that aren't present in other faiths. But I digress.
cacherry1 1 year ago
An elderly couple are attending church services.
About halfway through, she writes a note and
hands it to her husband.
It says, " I just let out a silent fart,
what do you think I should do?"
He scribbles back , " Put a new battery in
your hearing aid."
wlomond 2 years ago
That is hilarious! Thanks for the laugh.
damon132 2 years ago
This guy is in an altered state!
So what he has done is test the chemicals in the brain of someone in church compared to someone at a football game.
Man if I tried to say something crazy like that about my religion, the atheists would be demanding to see the research and proof.
Atheism is no different than any religion, many will believe what their leaders say. No proof necessary.
wlomond 2 years ago
Try reading a little on the subject. Ignorance is not an argument.
damon132 2 years ago
What you are describing here doesn't happen in the churches I attend. It is not ignorance if I don't fit under classification of what happens in churches.
There may be churches you describe well but certainly not the ones I attend.
wlomond 2 years ago
Keep fighting the good fight, man!
paleomike8 2 years ago
i tried believing this crap too, however the majority of Christians today do not believe the same doctrine and despite some essentials they argue a lot..needlessly
i looked at how people were manipulated by music and how they seek aproval for it in rhythm but im sorry to tell you its the same thing going on here
dont lie to yourself you secularists, did you not look at the rating of this video? do you not read these comments also to seek approval
psychology is real but it proves both sides
Hordeofantestor 2 years ago
Haha. You seem to be suffering from severe projection, compartmentalization and confirmation bias.
Get an education (no, Liberty U doesn't count), and see why any literal interpretation of the Bible is utter nonsense; then you may start understanding why it's horribly wrong on a moralistic level too.
Aaberg123 2 years ago
religion can be compared to sports. the red wings are better than the leafs. people would be willing to beat me up for this belief. just like religion. religion charges people up like that.
jazzmaster1972 2 years ago 5
Excellent! I will subscribe to your channel.
dilemmix 2 years ago
After spending the first 35 years of my life in Christian churches, singing in the choir most of those years, preaching in many churches, teaching Sunday school for many years, reading your bible inside and out, taking a MA in religion and a Doc. in Psy. etc. I think I have enough experience to comment on the psychological impact of religious techniques.
damon132 2 years ago
That is one of the most Epic responces I've ever read!
JamesTheTank 2 years ago
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (New International Version) 18Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"[a]; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."[b]
dizoda 2 years ago
As one of those CRAZY Christians that you brazenly portray us to be (easily manipulated, group-thinking, and in danger of giving money away), I am somewhat amiss by the broad brush strokes that you use to characterize us. You seem to lump us all together as if we all experience the same thing during the music portion of a Sunday church service. It is evident that you have a very limited view of the Christian church yet speak as if an authority.
dizoda 2 years ago
I find his view of the Christian church strikingly accurate, I think you should read your comment again right before the next time you go to church and rethink it.
JamesTheTank 2 years ago
Some of the most influential persons in history (those that fought against manipulation, group-think, and injustice) were Christians.Actually, several of the most striking instances of securing human rights were Christian to the core and used their beliefs and faith to alter the course of humankind. Wilburforce fought to end the slave trade; Martin Luther King was a deeply religious man and his deeds are self explanatory.Without these men (Christian men) the world would be a much uglier place.
dizoda 2 years ago
@dizoda some of the most influential persons in history were also not Christian, eg. Ghandi, Einstein. Some of the most evil persons in history were Christian, eg, Torqmada the head of the Inquisition, Hitler who professed his deep faith in Mein Kampf and has never been excommunicated. Religious people tend to cherry pick history to make their particular religion look best. Schindler was an atheist, but certainly did more than almost any Christian to save Jews in WWII.
damon132 1 year ago
After spending the first 35 years of my life in Christian churches, singing in the choir most of those years, preaching in many churches, teaching Sunday school for many years, reading your bible inside and out, taking a MA in religion and a Doc. in Psy. etc. I think I have enough experience to comment on the psychological impact of religious techniques.
damon132 2 years ago
i call it the "religious" feeling, you can get it by a lot of other means: try eating mushrooms, and talk meta- para- psychology friend, you and your friend will get the religious feeling, (maybeeven without mush!)
xejlod 2 years ago 2
Yes, it is the same thing. When crowds of people get together under well designed conditions like a rock concert or church, their brains seem to go into a common brain wave that can then be manipulated by the leader. I a convinced that many ministers are themselves in an altered state of consciousness when preaching. The music and rhythm also help to synchronize the brains of the congregation.
damon132 2 years ago
Thats what I always thought knew I was right.
Theronguardaaah 2 years ago
But this isn't new information right? I mean you are standing on the shoulders of others who conducted the research before you? I totally dig it btw.
JamesTheTank 2 years ago
Yes, on the shoulders of giants like Bertrand Russell, Richard Dawkins, Albert Ellis, Daniel Dennett, Sigmund Freud and many others. Nevertheless, the packaging makes it more understandable to everyone without the need for deep theoretical understanding.
damon132 2 years ago
I've heard some idea's about this common brain wave synchronization, doesn't it also resort to the lowest common denominator? It explains a facit why youngsters enjoy concerts more than elders, depending on only the most primal parts of the brain. Appropriate for a concert, but in a group of adults who think they are being rational =?= bizaar.
JamesTheTank 2 years ago
Hitler used it a lot. a mass psychosis sort of thing. One of the reasons I never eve go to rock concerts. I dont like myself in that altered state of conciensness.
Vogter2100 2 years ago 5
so no musicals or movies either then? or perhaps music or even art these are all things that trigger different chemicals in your brain. But religion tells you that this feeling comes from an outer source and in order for you to feel it you have to follow its rules.
plainlake 2 years ago
i never thought of that...
thanks for posting...
TheAtheistTEEN 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. I'll have to add this book to my collection. It's interesting to read both sides, but of late particularly I'm noticing the scientific bankruptcy of the theist response-books to folks like Dawkins, Harris, etc.
Hadn't heard of this one yet, so thanks again.
nix
nixonfanatic 2 years ago