On Wed, Nov 27, 2002 at 11:52:02PM -0600, Lydia Nickerson <Lydy at demesne.com> wrote: > I'm with DDB on the neurochemistry. Having the last half of my life > on various psych drugs, I'm fully convinced of the chemistry of my > existence. There have also been studies, some recent, which suggest > that religious states, such as deep meditation or prayer or feeling > like one is speaking directly to god are physical states, ones that > some people's bodies are designed to accept. A genetic > predisposition toward God, like I have a genetic predisposition to > manic depression. This doesn't necessary deny the validity of that experience. Imagine a supremely powerful alien being who wishes to guide humanity in their evolution. Sometime before the dawn of history he lands, introduces a genetic change into the species, causing some humans to build a biological "god receiver" to which he can broadcast messages when humanity needs a prophet. So maybe we can scientifically explain the feelings, but that doesn't mean they aren't triggered by God. > In many ways, I think it's really really cool that > we're finding out so much about how the world works, and being able > to medicate people's brains in more and more precise ways. I don't > worry about losing my humanity very often. Not yet. The danger will > come when people stop having the right to choose their own medical > care. In the mean time, Better Living Through Chemistry! In case you haven't noticed, that's already becoming the case. Read up on ritalin and kids for a good example. Personally, I have severe concerns about any sort of compulsory (or even merely encouraged) regression to some defined "normality". Diversity of thought and opinion are worthwhile things; creativity and art are social goods; the existing structures need to be challenged rather than assumed. -- Matthew Hunter (matthew at infodancer.org) Public Key: http://matthew.infodancer.org/public_key.txt Homepage: http://matthew.infodancer.org/index.jsp Politics: http://www.triggerfinger.org/index.jsp