Scientists are looking for a "GOD" chemical!

[FirstLight]

I saw this thread in Religion and thought your guys may want to chime in...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x209672

Do you think it is a good idea for Science to find a chemical or phermone to prove religious experiences?
I think this is a really cool idea, but still won't prove validity and could even create problems betwen religions...hmmm...good stuff maynard!

[Kind of Blue]

1. Yeah, I listened to the series

and I think it was great! But the studies are proving the opposite, seems like the encounters with the divine is exactly the same no matter what the religion, that it's all about Oneness.

[FirstLight]

2. Oneness...

But of course!
Isn't Love universal?

I'd love for studies like this to assist us in understanding spiritual evolution and fostering unity in our world...then we could focus on saving the planet rather than dominating eachother...
*sigh* humans will be humans, I suppose

[Kind of Blue]

4. Take heart, FirstLight.

I believe the studies will do exactly that. I think scientists' first step is understanding, and well on their way to proving, that we are wired for spirituality and we all have the capacity to experience Oneness and be at peace with ourselves and each other. May be religions will compete for this all-encompassing space as their own but maybe religions will then be hard pressed to prove why the awesome feeling of unity should separate us, because from what I understand of the studies, the experience is beyond religion and beyond dogma. The essence is the experience does not separate me from you and but connects us to all. :hug:

[get the red out]

3. I think it is cool, but...

I believe it can be used to try to condition people to accept that any and all spirituality is simply a matter of chemistry. I worry about the control freaks on the left, who would control spirituality through it's elimination (probably through influencing the culture toward humiliation of people who "believe" in any way by using the term "reality based" then cherry picking the "reality") in somewhat the same way I worry about the right, who would definitely dictate (very narrowly) how spirituality is to be approached by everyone at all times. For the record I think nearly all on the right want such control, while a very loud, demeaning, and demanding minority on the left want it.

I just think that we have a "receiver" for the spiritual, myself. I hope it isn't used to culturally deny the spiritual; or narrowly define it. Both those agendas would suit a certain minority and harm many.

[kentauros]

5. Although it's a cynical point of view, I think you're spot on!

I can think of quite a few here that would latch onto this research and if proven that it's all "just chemistry", well, look out! You think their egos are big now? ;)

You're right, too, in that this could cause the control-freak types to see it as a way of "controlling" society into "reason". However, I still see them as a vocal minority that doesn't have near as much control as they would like to think. Even if this all turns out to reveal to them that it's nothing more than chemistry, that only explains the experiences portion; it doesn't explain those true miracles, or other experiences outside of the person.

On the other hand, this chemical could prove to be a means for inducing telepathy (if spiritual experiences are indeed only chemical, then that includes the experiences of telepathy, empathy and so on.) I wonder if these scientists have taken into consideration that this might be a Pandora's Box that they're opening... :o

[get the red out]

6. Sorry for my cynicism

I have been a little put off by the pure rage that comes out of both spiritual extremes.

I absolutely believe you are right about the Pandora's Box. Real research will probably reveal that we are far more than what we appear, and that this "God Particle" is a part of that. Something has to link the physical to the spiritual, provide a door between the dimensions. If it didn't, no one would have the experiences that they obviously do. I have read some books by Dr. Gary Schwarts, Director of the VERITAS Research Program at the University of Arizona, and his research into consciousness is real. He is a scientist and he has done amazing research regarding such things as the afterlife and the abilities of mediums. His work is very real and I am sure makes the raging skeptics very uncomfortable. If more science into the so-called paranormal (or normal we don't understand yet) was done with an open mind I feel the results would speak for themselves.

[kentauros]

7. No need to apologize for any cynicism

as we all see how the "voices of reason" react around here ;)

I believe I've heard of the VERITAS program, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a book-reader anymore. If there's an online presence, I'll likely skim through that. I am glad there are scientists like that, and that his research can't be automatically dismissed :D

I also agree about any field being approached with an open mind as these days I really don't see any community-shattering research being done. It's all just refinements on what has been established. To venture away from that invites ridicule and a cutoff of funding. Hardly the encouragement to do anything unconventional.

[get the red out]

8. Here is the Web Page for Veritas

http://veritas.arizona.edu/

It gives an overview of their work. The University of Arizona has some guts! Dr. Andrew Weil has his Center for Integrative Medicine there too. I hope that doesn't hurt the university in getting NIH grants or anything. It must not or they wouldn't do it. Large state schools almost live and die by those research grants, reputation-wise anyway.

[conscious evolution]

9. Di-Methyl Tri-tryptamine

[FirstLight]

10. Hey, do you think this is part of our own DNA shift too?

I know Gregg Braasden and Drunvalo Melchiesedek among others believed that our codea were expanding to hold more light ...

could the 'discovery' of these chemicals and such indicate that we are truly evolving into lighter beings?
how exciting!

and while the concern is real about the extremes using this kind of info for more crazy behavior... I would like to think that this is more of a synchronous part of the shift towrads more light and vibration. If the darkness is really losing its grip, more people who carry light and experience "god" in their daily lives (and bodies) is a good thing!


ya, i guess i am quite a bit of a idealist and would like to see the best in people, instead of being proven that humans can be worse...