Spirituality?

[Curious George]

Is spirituality a fundamental need of humans? Perhaps I am contorting the term. However, I find it curious that throughout time man has sought explanation for the unexplained. From primitive tribes to great "civilizations" we have also always sought a connection to something greater than self. Is this do to our social natures or something deeper?

[ArtieE]

Originally Posted by Curious George

Is spirituality a fundamental need of humans? Perhaps I am contorting the term. However, I find it curious that throughout time man has sought explanation for the unexplained. From primitive tribes to great "civilizations" we have also always sought a connection to something greater than self. Is this do to our social natures or something deeper?

"Scientists say they have located the parts of the brain that control religious faith. And the research proves, they contend, that belief in a higher power is an evolutionary asset that helps human survival." Belief and the brain

[Polarbear]

Originally Posted by ArtieE

"Scientists say they have located the parts of the brain that control religious faith. And the research proves, they contend, that belief in a higher power is an evolutionary asset that helps human survival." Belief and the brain

True, but just because scientist can trace an experience to something in the brain, doesn't mean that that experience isn't triggered by something real. Isn't it logical that if there is a god he would have created us with such a faith center to channel religious experiences through?

Just throwing some thought out there.

[Curious George]

I am going to have to track down those papers, thank you for the link

[Curious George]

Originally Posted by Independent Friday July 20 2012

Scientists are divided on whether religious belief has a biological basis. Some evolutionary theorists have suggested that Darwinian natural selection may have put a premium on individuals if they were able to use religious belief to survive hardships that may have overwhelmed those with no religious convictions. Others have suggested that religious belief is a side effect of a wider trait in the human brain to search for coherent beliefs about the outside world. Religion and the belief in God, they argue, are just a manifestation of this intrinsic, biological phenomenon that makes the human brain so intelligent and adaptable.

I found this paragraph to be most interesting as it touches on the heart of my question. Given these locations in the brain, why have they developed?

[Curious George]

And from the article, (since I have not read the research papers) it would seem that religion and morality are inexorably connected. So what can we glean from this information about morality?

[ArtieE]

Originally Posted by Polarbear

True, but just because scientist can trace an experience to something in the brain, doesn't mean that that experience isn't triggered by something real.

The brain is real.

Isn't it logical that if there is a god he would have created us with such a faith center to channel religious experiences through?

Hmmm... rather a big mishap creating a faith center making 1,5 billion believe in Allah then... ooops... Islam percentage

[ArtieE]

Originally Posted by Curious George

I found this paragraph to be most interesting as it touches on the heart of my question. Given these locations in the brain, why have they developed?

For the same reasons that we developed five fingers and an opposing thumb. It helps survival.

[Polarbear]

Originally Posted by ArtieE

Hmmm... rather a big mishap creating a faith center making 1,5 billion believe in Allah then... ooops... Islam percentage

What do you mean? When I said god I didn't mean the Christian one and I didn't mean to exclude Allah. Allah means "the god" in arabic after all.

[ArtieE]

Originally Posted by Polarbear

What do you mean? When I said god I didn't mean the Christian one and I didn't mean to exclude Allah. Allah means "the god" in arabic after all.

Hmmm... rather a big mishap creating a faith center making 900 million believe in Hindu gods then... ooops... Hindu adherents Unless you mean that Brahma created Hindus with a faith center to believe in Brahma and the Christian god created Christians with a faith center that believes in Him and Allah created Muslims with a faith center that believes in him? What exactly did you mean?