One common aspect of many, if not all religions, is connected to the awareness of something or someone(s) that is separate from oneself; separate from the ego. These others are not easy to investigate by science; God, gods or even aliens from another planet. Gods, like aliens from other planets, all come from the heavens; outer space, and are hard to investigate beyond claims, since they are not tangible enough for a full science investigation. In that respect, aliens from space are a type of modern mythology.
All these affects appear to have a connection to a second center of consciousness, within the human brain, that is sensed and sometime perceived, but which is not easy to pin down, quantitatively, with science. Such things could be explained as coming from a secondary center within the human brain; thalamus, which is actually the primary center of the brain; inner self common to all animals. The status of primary is inferred since all these representations, common to many cultures, tend to be higher than the ego; God, gods, or even advance aliens from planet X. They represent the hierarchy of inner self; gods and aliens, to the ego; humans.
Computers are not conscious in the same sense as humans. All consciousness that we know, even by science criteria are connected to organic computing, such as in an animal brain. We know the brain can support one manifestation of consciousness, since we are all self aware and can see many animal examples in nature. The question becomes, can the human animal brain, accommodate two centers?
There are many examples of multiple personality disorders, where many distant and separate ego personalities can appear in some subjects. The idea of two stable centers, being supported by the human brain's organic neural matrix is not outside the realm of possibility. Two centers explains many things, very easily, as well as offers a potential way to develop higher human potential. The original or primary animal center uses the full brain; genetically wired to all the cells; animal vitality. The conscious mind or ego is estimated to use 10%, unless the inner self is cooperating, then it can periodically approach 100%; star athlete or genius at their best.
If you look at our sensory systems, various input enters the eyes, ears, etc., and then flow into the brain to be further processed. This series of events head toward central integrating centers, like the thalamus and cerebellum, and are then outputted as part of real time actions. If such integrating centers were to output, back into the sensory pathways, we would be aware of something that appears to enter the senses from the outside but starts from the inside. There is a common effect called projection, where what is inside, trying to become conscious, but is ignored, enters the sensory pathways, so we can we can appear to see or feel it as outside, where our attention lies.
A very common example is the cheating spouse starts to feel like the loyal spouse is cheating. The former is in state of denial of what they are doing is wrong, so they repress any sense of guilt. This feedback pathway from the inner self is blocked; conscience. It is rerouted and reappears as a projection; enters a sensory pathway, where projected cues seem to appear in the environment; loyal spouse if cheating. This is like a movie overlay into reality, from a movie projector; real plus secondary overlay.
These projection dynamics are from the inner self, attempting to lower the brain potential, caused by the repression. If one assumes there is no secondary center, then one will ignore any direct inner insight; willful neglect; Subconscious is full of garbage. The inner self then uses another pathway to solve the energy problem. Science assumes everything good and tangible is outside us; philosophy of science. So the projection to outside us will get our attention much easier. We get a look in the mirror.
In my experience and my then acceptance of the reality of the inner self; faith in what cannot be seen with the eyes, led to the intuition, that if one could harness this second POV, that has better processing and integrating power; develop an interactive rapport, you could use it to help solve practical problems, in science and culture, that cause repression; anxiety or obsession.
The world's Religions were very useful to this end since they appear to be connected to the base wiring; firmware, of the inner self; natural output when the ego was first consolidating; initial virtual ego. The base wiring is needed to wire the ego into the inner self, in a more practical way, that can take advantage of the gifts that are available to all; spatial wiring so it can get spatial signals.The science of consciousness; thalamus IT, is where science and religion merge. You will need both. You will the sword of reason and the shield of faith. This wiring first must pass through the dark side of mythology and all the alien bogeymen. But after that it is easier. I could have left this last paragraph out, to stay rational, but this understanding will be needed by help those who take on the quest. It is not just reward without sacrifice; liberalism.