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The Neural Buddhists
nytimes.com — The cognitive revolution is not going to undermine faith in God — it’s going to challenge faith in the Bible.
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- Shantonu, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2This is a fairly intelligent comment from Brooks. Brooks ususally writes nonsense, and there's a fair bit of that here. But his point is probably right. He concludes that because brain science can now explain the state of religious "trancendence" the future of religion will be about "new movements that emphasize self-transcendence but put little stock in divine law or revelation. Orthodox believers are going to have to defend particular doctrines and particular biblical teachings. They’re going to have to defend the idea of a personal God, and explain why specific theologies are true guides for behavior day to day."
Brooks writes that "the real challenge is going to come from people who feel the existence of the sacred, but who think that particular religions are just cultural artifacts built on top of universal human traits. It’s going to come from scientists whose beliefs overlap a bit with Buddhism."
That's one possibility, and it is probably what will happen. Of course Brooks doesn't know his ass from his elbow when he talks about Buddhism, but what he seems to be saying is that people of a scientific world view will eventually accept that there is a feeling of sacredness, but reject that that feeling of sacredness is captured (either adequately or necessarily) by Christianity, Judaism, etc. What then will defenders of traditional religion--mostly Christians--say? - Jettparmer, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Is it a feeling of sacredness that defines the existence of spirit? Or is it a neurochemical response more in line with drinking or the use of certain recreational chemicals?
At the root is the human desire to be a part of more than oneself. I think the current trend in brain science will push that group of believers farther and farther into a box of limited definition. I think therefore I am is probably a good root mantra for existence.- Shantonu, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1Oh *****, I meant to hit the "thumb up" button but hit the thumbs down button. And you can't "undo"it. *****! I like your comment. :(
- pkonink, on 05/14/2008, -0/+3Brooks, have you been smoking the reefer? If you have, keep it up.
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