Does religion produce unique sensations?

[Longhorn]

The religious 'high' I used to experience is nothing compared to the limitless awe I feel about the universe.

I'm a misevolved, conscious meatsack sitting on a dust mote floating in space, 99% of which is dead, void and lifeless. It's like being the only person awake in the room. Gives me chills every time I think about it.

And I feel so tiny, when I can't even imagine the size of the universe. It's breathtaking.

[Nope]

When I was in the process of losing my faith, I accidentally made a religious person very angry over this issue. They used the high they experience during their church's sermons as proof that their religion was true. I suggested that their experience was no different than what happens when ancient people used to dance around fires in order to contact spirits.

[Simon Moon]

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.

[Longhorn]

Gettin' high on bullshit

[Spooky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5O1RVWB8MQ

When fucktards like this get together, and start speaking in tongues, I'm sure it's a little different than going to most other group functions.  (With the possible exception of a Grateful Dead concert)

And what happens to those who have more "Faith" than me?  They Die :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xS4W8dKawA

[robvalue]

Even if religion gives this weird kind of high, you have to consider the cost it comes at. Much the same as drinking and taking drugs are not free highs. If you're in it deep enough for this kind of thing to happen, you've lost at least one foot from reality.

[ignoramus]

Rob, as the great Joe Walsh says:


The tards will only take it as they are one foot closer to god!

[Vincent]

I think that religious people (particularly Christians) mistake an emotional/spiritual experience (which does NOT require a metaphysical entity to occur) for being the "spirit of their God" working through them. Yes, religion does give people a high. Makes them all excited and gives them goosebumps and whatever else they claim. But that does not prove their God is real, or that the feeling they're experiencing is a product of a higher power and not just their emotions.

I also think that the "high" given by religion can be dangerous. It makes people more susceptible and more inclined to do stupid shit.

[robvalue]

Good point! It might make them feel invincible, that their God is protecting them and so would take risks they otherwise wouldn't. When you're not rooted in reality, for whatever reason, your decision making is going to be impaired.

I think this mistaking emotions for evidence is incredibly common. Probably the most common form of "proof". But of course, it's not proof of anything at all. Especially when the same feeling proves contradictory results depending on where you were born

[loganonekenobi]

Nothing that can't be repeated with a healthy amount of drugs

Funny that you mention that. In the occult there are paths to enlightment. The goal is to find what the universe really intends you for/God's will/true purpose.... It is said that once you understand what your life is supposed to be then you find emience power and piece of mind. now this power being the ablity to achieve those goals that the universe has set for you. I'm not advocating this but through out history we see individuals that have had experiences in their heads for what ever reason (prolonged meditation, minimal living, and yes drugs). These experiences changed their lives. I had a similar expereince as a teenager. At the time I wasn't eating as much as i should have been, doing a lot of excersise, and truely contemplating the meaning of my life while walking through nature. I swear I heard the trees tell me that i was worth something when everyone else (human) disagreed. Was it spiritual...maybe but it was probably more brought on by biological factors that most poeple don't expeince. I felt ammazing but it was unsustainable since enventualy i returned to the instituted world of high school and ate normal like every one else. However others, like shamans, reach this state by using a combonation of ascetism and drugs to reach this state.