Put a bunch of like minded people in a structure considered 'holy', surrounded by sorts of religious iconography, all rhythmically repeating the same ritual words simultaneously, singing hymns joyously, with a charismatic pastor, preacher, imam, cantor. rabbi, speaking as if he/she has some special knowledge, and you have the perfect environment to create a natural change in brain states.
This is pretty well understood by neuroscientists.
This is pretty well understood by neuroscientists.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
