I wasn't surprised when I read this article that cited a study revealing that, "when we fall under the spell of a charismatic figure, areas of the brain responsible for scepticism and vigilance become less active."
The research used MRIs to examine the brains of believers and non-believers as they listened to pre-recorded prayers from someone posing as a faith healer. "Parts of the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, which play key roles in vigilance and scepticism when judging the truth and importance of what people say, were deactivated when the subjects listened to a supposed healer," the study noted.
This research is just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine if scientists were to explore the effects of certain subtle keywords and phrases, musical stimuli or hearing someone speaking in tongues. From experience I can say I have sat through Christian events and accepted things being said—only to later evaluate them in a more neutral (and biblical) light and realize that I had been completely hoodwinked.
Often in these settings, music was being played in the background, statements were prefaced with phrases such as "The Bible says ..." and "The Lord told me ..." or the speaker was introduced as "a pastor of a great church" or "a man used mightily by God." Of course, these are subtle—and mostly unintentional—cues that have become part of religious subcultures. However, in some settings, the manipulation is anything but subtle, as audiences are instructed to "shut down your mind" or "don't question what God is doing."
I've learned--sometimes the hard way--that any religious system that openly discourages discernment, critical thought or reflection and instead encourages us to evaluate truth based on our feelings and emotional responses should be avoided.
I would point out that this phenomena is not exclusive to flakey Christians. Have you ever sat through a visually-stunning film or listened to a moving musical performance, only to realize after the fact that you were manipulated into accepting the artist's worldview by the aesthetic appeal of their art?
6 comments:
This doesn't surprise me either. The hanging question, though, is how far does legitimate belief go before it turns into this? Where does faith turn into a "don't question me" attitude? This certainly gives me something to think about.
Interesting study, raises some serious questions
I wonder if this might have to do with what has been called "Cognitive Dissonance" Interesting.
Very interesting, and not necessarily a negative thing. Of course, in the wrong hands it becomes a lethal weapon--in the context of truth, however, this could be a wonderful thing! Sheds light on why the prophetic words of the Psalms were always accompanied with music, in certain keys and with particular instruments. Also as to why the prophets would often be accompanied by a minstrel.
Interesting post. From experience, I have witnessed the "conditioned response" by individuals/groups as to when, where and by whom various "charismatic outbursts" or "spiritual phenomenon's" take place during their meeting. Speaking satirically, is not the atypical worship segment of a service, three fast songs followed by two slow songs with an extended period of chorus chanting? I strongly prefer a group approach to prayer (James 5:13-16) where not any one person can be tempted to take glory in God's work. Just a simple (not naive) thought from a redeemed complex thinker.
Please don’t hear me say any of this in an angry tone, but rather as someone who is just talking in conversational tone.
I have struggled with this area of the church for many years, both professionally and personally, which is actually something I don’t that I reconcile in thinking that there is only a professional and personal side to it. I grew up in a Pentecostal denomination and I still work in that same denomination and I too have been in what I like to call “Holy Ghost Concerts” where people are out to experience some phenomena.
I was seven years old when Jimmy Swaggert came to speak at a Family Camp in Illinois and it was there that I was “filled” with the Spirit and gave “evidence” of speaking in tongues, but I almost feel like in the position of The Beatles when I say “Won’t someone please, please help me.” I really question the experience; did I really speak in tongues? If I did how come it sounded like everyone else’s “shunda, shunda, who stole my bowtie”?
When I go to my denomination’s annual church/ministerial gathering I hear constant abuses of people supposedly allowing the Holy Spirit to use them. I hear people say to me “I would rather have a wild fire than no fire at all,” to which I respond, “Have you ever seen the devastation of a wild fire as it goes through a forest and how long it takes for things to grow back?” or my favorite thing to ask for which I get dumb founded looks, “Doesn’t Corinthians say in regards to all of this that God is a God of order and not disorder?”
Deep down inside I consider myself a Pentecostal, a very very conservative Pentecostal because I wonder of the people who claim to have spoken in tongues have actually really spoken in tongues? This doesn’t even scratch the surface about my spiteful feeling towards those who claim God has slain them in the Spirit or made them bark at the devil, or any other host of mass hysteria manifestations.
I struggle with the reconciliation of Pentecostalism and the other experiences of my life, like the dramatic healing of my little girl, who had a stroke at birth for which we were told that she was going to have developmental problems for the rest of her life, only to walk out of the hospital one week later with a perfectly normal and healthy baby.
I can’t stand benny hinn, or anything else that finds its way on TBN. I’m a Chuck Swindole, Joel Stowel kinda guy. Matt I know of the formula you speak about when it comes to worship, and not only do I hate the formula I hate the songs, the “God is my Boyfriend” power ballads; I’ve out grown stryper, so I most certainly do not need it in worship service.
I hate how I have become cynical with all of its aim towards modern day charismatics and Pentecostal, but at the same time I don’t where else to go, or better yet maybe I don’t want to go anywhere else. So here I am rambling, maybe not even on right topic or maybe I have missed the point, but all I know is that when it comes to this topic I am just tired of the same old bull shit.
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