(October 31, 2011 at 12:47 pm)Minimalist Wrote:Quote:In my intro thread titled “Deconverted by theology” I explained how after a number of years of studying theology and church history I had to acknowledge the facts that I found which, mind you, were not the one’s I had originally set out to find ( I thought that reading theology would bring me closer to God)
Read Bart Ehrman's "Jesus Interrupted" and you'll find out that he went through the very same process.
In fact, we get a lot of people who renounce religion after they sit down to read that vile, worthless, book.
I just looked up the book on Amazon. It looks like the stuff I have already read about. I think what will help me is any Psychology/scientific information on experiential things.
For example in the late 80 -early 90's someone had found "the God gene". supposedly those with the gene get more euphoria from religious experiences. If this is so then it would explain a lot. I must have this gene. I don't know any more about the subject or even it the study was legitimate. This would be nice to know if anyone has any legit information. For years I had been pondering the God gene, if it does indeed exist. I have wondered what evolutionary purpose it might serve i.e. how it could aid survival for those who posses it for it appears (as per the study) as if the gene is not an abnormality or a defect. I have some plausible theories on the topic but nothing more. I digress.
Anyway, can anyone provide links to any psychological information (articles, papers videos etc) regarding the psychological explanations of faith. Information on religious pluralism would also be useful. it would help me get a bigger picture of religion in general.
