This book is for those who wonder why man are both a spiritual and rational species. It shows that spirituality is hardwired into a specific part of the brain, is partially controlled by our genes and played a critical role in the evolution and survival of man. Man´s capacity to think and reason occupies a different part of the brain and is also partially controlled by our genes. The book shows how readers can develop a rational spirituality in which the fact-based rational brain and the faith-based spiritual brain can live in peace. Other parts include what changes occur in the brain during meditation, the enormous ability of the brain to heal the body, the inherent happiness of humans independent of religion, and other aspects of the biology of faith and reason. The spiritual feelings of being associated with something that transcends one´s self became an important, rewarding, comforting, and innate part of our species. This ebook contains Chapter 25 to 42 of the book "Did Man Create God?"
Reviews
The scientific attempt to explain religion has been around
for over a century, but only recently has it exploded into the cultural scene
with the renewed interest in the relationship of science and religion, and particularly
with the advance in the neurosciences. It now appears that we are getting close
to understanding what is going on inside the religious mind, and David Comings
has written a remarkable analysis, that includes the most detailed and up-to-date
science ever generated on the subject of religion. Did Man Create God? will be
the definitive scientific reference on religion for some time to come.
Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine monthly
columnist for Scientific American, and the author of Why Darwin Matters, The
Science of Good and Evil, and How We Believe.
One of the most integrative, innovative and revolutionary
books I have read in decades.
Dr. Michael A. Persinger, C. Psych
Professor Department of Psychology and Biology, Behavioural Neuroscience and
Biomolecular Sciences Programs,Laurentian University,Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Author of Neuropsychological Bases of God Beliefs.
I am especially grateful to the
author for Part IV. Here he describes very recent information about the anatomical
and physiological basis for consciousness − the
location in the brain and connections of the neurons involved. This information
depends on brain imaging (functional MRI and PET scanning) of normal people and
patients and animals with localized brain damage, including of course those abilities
that are missing when known parts of the brain are absent or damaged. Some aspects
of consciousness have long been thought to make us unique among animals in possessing
souls.
These observations show that specific parts of the brain
are required for us to possess our traits that are associated with having souls
suggesting that the soul dies with the body. This has major consequences for
religion.
Without a living, functioning brain there is no soul. If there is no soul, there is no afterlife, no hell, no purgatory, no reincarnation, no cosmic consciousness, no heaven, and there is no reward in heaven for good behavior. In the same sense that we have said "evolution is real, accept it" we must also say that "the neural basis for the soul is real, accept it.".
(page 295).
John A. Frantz, MD, NASW (National Association of Science
Writers) June 23, 2008
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