How The Brain Works and How It Relates To Religion (virtual, choice)

[VanCrackin]

The brain works like a computer. In the morning, when we wake up, it starts up like a computer, sending bits of nitric oxide to the thalamus, which in turn directs them elsewhere. Basically, starting up its operating system before performing more complex tasks.
Consciously, we are only able to think about one thing a time. The rest of the subject matter is stored away in the subconscious, until it is brought out to focus upon. An example of this was demonstrated to me in a very simple way: As my brother was explaining how the brain works to me, he very suddenly punched me in the arm. My thoughts immediately jumped from the subject material as to why he would hit me, what the point of it was- all in an instant, my brain was trying to calculate the reasoning behind it. He then of course, told me that my brain had stopped thinking about the subject material, and without my control, jumped to the 'loudest' thought in my head - the reason why he hit me.
Along this same line of reasoning, he then proceeded to explain to me that humans may not have any control over what they use their conscious thoughts on, instead naturally focusing on the 'loudest' thought in their subconscious, which is brought forward.
Therefore, the only thing that we have some control over is what input goes into our consciousness. However, because of the way our brain works, a part of that is already predecided. We are going to think most about what we want most, and then more often then not, follow through with it. Sometimes it may be in the short term, such as watching TV instead of doing homework. Or sometimes it may be in the longterm, such as suffering through a job one hates to support his family, but eventually quitting to salvage some degree of happiness. However, the brain will always crave gratification. It's a selfish organism. It wants to be happy.
Some people gain this happiness in different ways. Perhaps by spending money on something nice for oneself, or by bringing flowers home for a significant other (because the attention then that the significant other will shower upon the giver will make the giver happy.) Even unselfish acts equate back to the giver feeling good about himself or herself. Of course, what makes the brain happy is different for all people. Some people like to spend money on themselves, and their brain provides that idea with positive reinforcement. Other people don't like to give charity, so the brain structures that idea, in turn, with negative reinforcement. One is not as likely to repeat tasks that have negative reinforcement as tasks that the brain gives positive reinforcement to.

So, how does this relate to religion?
The human brain is a selfish organism, wanting happiness and gratification. We know most of the human race to be egotistical and prideful, no matter who or where you are. There is always a hierarchy in the world and everyone wants to be at the top of his or her respective latter.
Therefore, it is obvious to see that the brain does not want to cease to exist. No one wants to lose consciousness. It wants to succeed, and be powerful. Losing consciousness is a subject that many atheists struggle with for a while. Who wants to believe that when we die, we will never see our loved ones again?
The solution to this depressing thought is religion, and faith. Positive reinforcement of this idea that we are going to a fluffy place in the sky makes the brain happy. Therefore, the more one goes to church and experiences this idea, the more positive reinforcement it gains, which can directly equate to more faith.
Is this why the devout are so faithful? Because of positive reinforcement?

[FatMan]

I think the devout are so faithful because of another inherent trait - fear. They are so fearful of the unknown and what will come after they leave this world that they choose to spend tons and tons of time worshipping something.

I guess the theory is the more time you put into adoration, the more you will be rewarded in the afterlife. I'd rather deal in the known and control my lot here.

[Random]

The brain is not the Mind: the Mind is the freeflow of code or Information that the brain processes. The brain does not want or desire anything: it is a computer, but an impersonal one. Wants and desires are the cosmic language by which we perpetuate division and conflict (via choice) within the virtual world we call "real". What lends it a sense of reality subjectively is that, as science has proven, the brain actively simulates everything seen, heard, touched, tasted and scented in the world from an observer/observed persepctive; ie. with and internal-external divide extant. However, in more enlightened moments, one can see this divide as esentially illusory and thus conclude that the perceptions upon which we base our notion of the Real are in fact only sur-real, informed as they are by consciousness, form and thought.

In short, things exist: just not as they seem. You row your boat gently down the stream, and hopefully come to the wisdom that life is but a dream somehow.

[VanCrackin]

The brain is not the mind, but is the brain not directly linked to our consciousness? And is not our consciousness basically "the freeflow of code or information that the brain processes?" Our brain accesses this code and the emotions and feelings that correspond with it.

[Random]

Originally Posted by VanCrackin

The brain is not the mind, but is the brain not directly linked to our consciousness? And is not our consciousness basically "the freeflow of code or information that the brain processes?" Our brain accesses this code and the emotions and feelings that correspond with it.

Yes! I'm actually quite glad you understand, few do. You are right, of course the brain is linked to thoughts, thought-forms, consciousness and the result is perception. Each one begats the other in aggregate order: Thought, Form, Consciousness and finally Perception. E-motions, or properly Entropic Motions, result from the conscious divide between observer and observed, which as we know is illusory @ a higher (one might say "quantum") level.

You are doubly right, in fact: I have a saying that explains it (if you'll indulge me for a moment...). It goes:

Consciousness IS what consciousness is conscious OF

Meaning that is its content, and that is how consciousness can simultaneously contain and transcend everything that is part of it. Consciousness is holistic.

Thank you for your post, VanCrackin, and for an excellent thread.

Peace and blessings,

Random

[VanCrackin]

Consciousness IS what consciousness is conscious of...

Very interesting, almost a limerick.

Likewise, thanks for your insight and thoughts.

[charles brough]

VanCraken, you wrote all that just to say that people are happier thinking they will go to a fluffy haven when they die? Let me give YOU a lesson on how the brain works! We are such that we can appreciate when things are "good" only in proportion to how "bad" they were before or the suffering someone else has endured. All is relative. If you focus on an ideal life, by comparison your present life seems dull and onerous. If, like me, you know a "fluffy heaven" is a haven that doesn't exist, then one's present life is not, by comparison, any longer dull and onerous.

I am old now, but I have lived a very happy, unusually unusual and progressive life. I accept that I will cease to any longer exist like we accept everthing that cannot be changed. We humans are adaptable; that is why we can progress and should progess. We should leave old ideas behind . . .

[Jeremiah]

The Brain works in revers of a computer.

You have a good start on how the consciousness works but I think you might want to keep digging. It is very complex.

Try not to consider the brain and the consciousness as two things.

[VanCrackin]

Originally Posted by charles brough

VanCraken, you wrote all that just to say that people are happier thinking they will go to a fluffy haven when they die? Let me give YOU a lesson on how the brain works! We are such that we can appreciate when things are "good" only in proportion to how "bad" they were before or the suffering someone else has endured. All is relative. If you focus on an ideal life, by comparison your present life seems dull and onerous. If, like me, you know a "fluffy heaven" is a haven that doesn't exist, then one's present life is not, by comparison, any longer dull and onerous.

I am old now, but I have lived a very happy, unusually unusual and progressive life. I accept that I will cease to any longer exist like we accept everthing that cannot be changed. We humans are adaptable; that is why we can progress and should progess. We should leave old ideas behind . . .

Ah, but I have athiest friends and family, and I have heard from many of them that accepting athiesm was hard and made many of them depressed at times, still does.
However, I have never heard of an accepter of God being depressed about that choice.

Personally, I think to be an athiest and to not have some reservations about the idea, as human beings are egotistical beings, you have to be in a different mindset than most.

And I doubt most devout Christians would consider their lives "dull" because they believe in heaven.

I never stated the brain and the consciousness were two different things, but that they have different functions.

[Jeremiah]

Accepting Atheism can be hard, I mean you lose so many special powers.