Friday offtopic. We knew that, right?

[kiaa]

What are your thoughts on the recent scientific research which shows a strong correlation between religious fundamentalism and brain damage?

There have been a few scientific investigations of the relationship of brain damage to increases in spirituality or religious fundamentalism over the years.

They seem to show a clear correlation between certain types of brain damage and the development of features of the thinking behind religious fundamentalism:

Damage To Specific Site In The Brain May Be Linked To Religious Fundamentalism

Comments

[mahnmut]

Not surprised at all.

[oportet]

Science calling religion stupid is kinda like when religion calls science evil.

It's expected - been happening for millenia - would be silly for either to let up now.

[asthfghl]

They're calling region much worse than stupid here.

[oportet]

Stupid is putting it nicely I suppose.

Fundamentalist religions are religions that haven't changed their beliefs based on whatever was popular in the moment. Religions with the 'fear of god' - a God who isn't a flip flopper.

Islam qualifies - though I doubt these scientists will visit Riyadh or Tehran to discuss their findings. (Picture a lab coat sitting down with a cleric and pointing at some ct scans - 'now if you look right here, this means you're an idiot.')

This is probably more about that stubborn 25%ish slice of Christianity that's holding out on them.

[kiaa]

This isn't about stupid. They're making it look like it's a disease.

[oportet]

Both can be true. It wouldn't be very sciencey to say 'these people are stupid'. A little nuance is necessary.