how did religion course change your mind

Can a religion class Change Your Life?

In religion classes, you could learn that there are multiple opposing religious views on campus and be more open to them. Saying that a religion class could change your life is a big leap; however, in some cases it could allow you to explore a religion similar to your current beliefs.

Can science change religion?

One of the forces exerting pressure on religion to change is science. The Copernican Revolution - when scholars grasped that the earth revolves around the sun, rather than vice-versa - is an obvious example.

Can we measure the effects of religion on the brain?

Now, interestingly enough, some effects of religion on the brain can be measured accurately. Neurotechnology has made interesting discoveries revolving this topic. “Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”

Why take religion courses in college?

These courses will help open you up to different points of view, especially if you are living on your campus. Some colleges require all students to take a lower level religion course as part of their distributional studies, while others do not require so, but still offer religion classes.

How does religion affect the mind?

It is a surprising result, given that many prior studies have shown religion to have potentially beneficial effects on brain function, anxiety, and depression. A number of studies have evaluated the acute effects of religious practices, such as meditation and prayer, on the human brain.

How does religion change you as a person?

Depending on where you live, religion may also make you feel better about yourself by making you feel part of your larger culture. People who are religious have higher self-esteem and better psychological adjustment than people who aren't, according to a January 2012 study.

Why is taking a religion class important?

Studying religion increases cultural awareness. Around the globe, human history has been impacted by religious ideas, religious institutions, religious art, religious laws, and religious commitments.

What do you learn in religion class?

In Religious Studies, you will learn strong reasoning, writing, and critical thinking skills. You will explore the “big picture” while also learning to understand different worldviews. Religious Studies develops key skills for any career you pursue.

How does religion transform you and your daily life?

People who engage in religious activities have fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than people who are non-religious. They also cope with stress better. In fact some religious activities, such as prayer or meditation, can reshape the brain for the better.

What does religion teach us in our life?

Religion helps in creating an ethical framework and also a regulator for values in day to day life. This particular approach helps in character building of a person. In other words, Religion acts as an agency of socialization. Thus, religion helps in building values like love, empathy, respect, and harmony.

What are the benefits of religious education?

Religious education can be instrumental to improving adolescent mental health by developing religious morality, reinforcing religious coping, developing respect for religious diversity, and promoting connectedness.

What do you think are the benefits of having a religion?

Religion gives people something to believe in, provides a sense of structure and typically offers a group of people to connect with over similar beliefs. These facets can have a large positive impact on mental health—research suggests that religiosity reduces suicide rates, alcoholism and drug use.

What is religious education and why is it important?

Religious Education gives students an important framework for understanding past and present events, actions and beliefs and their impact within the context of people's lives. It also promotes an understanding of religions as dynamic, internally diverse and evolving over time.

What are 3 reasons why religious education is important?

Here are 10 reasons why religion may have a place in the American educational system:It improves brain development.It keeps kids out of trouble.Religious schools do better than public or charter schools.It helps kids develop psychologically.It would help Americans read more.More items...•

How did the researchers examine the brains of 19 young Mormons?

The researchers examined the brains of 19 young Mormons using a functional MRI scanner. When they asked the participants if and to what extent were they “feeling the spirit”, those who reported more intense spiritual feelings showed greater activity in the bilateral nucleus accumbens.

Where did Professor Jack and other collaborators conduct a study?

Professor Jack and other collaborators conducted a study at the University of L’Aquila. In it, they concluded that the origin of this collision actually begins as a conflict between two brain networks. This is what the study found. On one hand, those who saw religion as an essential part of their lives seemed to suppress ...

Does religion affect reward?

Religion and the brain circuits of reward processing. A recent study from the University of Utah stated that religion can activate the same brain reward circuits as sex, drugs, and other addictive activities. The study explored how brain networks activate when a follower of religion goes through a deeply spiritual experience.

Is religious belief based on scientific facts?

In fact, some religious beliefs are based on scientific facts that can be measured accurately. There have been plenty of pieces of work on the effects of praying on a person’s well-being. There have been various investigations in the field of neurotheology (the neuroscience of theological belief ).

Does religion suppress analytic thinking?

On the other, however, those who didn’t follow religion seemed to have suppressed their empat hic thinking in favor of analytic thinking.

Does religion increase life expectancy?

For example, investigations have shown how religious belief can increase life expectancy and help better cope with illness. This is something most of us have seen at least once. On the other hand, some scientists suggest that religious experiences activate the same brain circuits as sex and drugs. Now, interestingly enough, some effects ...

What is the role of reincarnation in change?

The role of reincarnation in change is another difference with the Abrahamic faiths, but when we look at the hoped-for effect of spiritual transformation, we find again the idea that we need to become less anxious about our own wants and more concerned with the needs of others.

What is recovery movement?

In the recovery movement, they talk of willingness to change, rather than willfulness. Even in Buddhism, where more emphasis is put on a practitioner’s dedicated practice, striving for enlightenment is not the way to achieve it. There is an aspect of change that is a mystery, though that does not mean we are powerless.

What is spiritual practice?

Spiritual practices — whether fasting, study of scripture, prayer, or works of charity — are meant to gradually transform us. Cistercian monk Thomas Keating writes, “The conscious resolution to change our values and behavior is not enough.”.

How does meditation help us?

Meditation practice helps us to see the grasping of our minds and gradually teaches us to let go of our attachments. It also leads to greater compassion. As Hanh explains: Compassion is a mind that removes the suffering that is present in the other.

Why do we need religion courses?

Instead, religion courses seek to educate students about the origin and evolution of belief systems. Completing a religion course will help you to think critically about your own beliefs and the role of religion in our world. Even if you decide by the end of the course that discussing religion isn’t your thing, the critical and logical thinking skills you learn can be applied to other areas of study.

How does religion help you in college?

Build, Modify or Rebuild Your Belief System. Whether you head into college with a set of foundational beliefs or not, a religion class has the potential to benefit your emotional, spiritual and mental health. If you enter a religion class without defined beliefs, the course material will push you to think for yourself and make decisions ...

What does it mean to be spiritual?

Spirituality or lack thereof is something that near to the hearts of everyone, so having the ability to civilly discuss religion in diverse groups will prepare you for almost any other debate you may encounter in life.

What is the idea that religion brings positive evolutionary benefits?

There are two major perspectives on why this might be. One is called functionalism or adaptationism: the idea that religion brings positive evolutionary benefits, which are most often framed in terms of its contribution to group living.

What are the emotions that are central to religious celebrations?

Emotions such as awe, loyalty, and love are central to many religious celebrations (Credit: Getty) This can be true for many behaviours – including music – but religion presents a particular puzzle, since it often involves extremely costly behaviours, such as altruism and, at times, even self-sacrifice.

What does religion mean?

Still, we need to start somewhere, so de Waal suggests this definition: religion is “the shared reverence for the supernatural, sacred, or spiritual as well as the symbols, rituals, and worship that are associated with it”.

When did subcortical enhancement occur?

The process of subcortical enhancement Turner refers to dates to about 4.5 million years ago , when the first Australopithecine emerged. Initially, says Turner, selection increased the size of their brains about 100 cubic centimetres (cc) beyond that of chimpanzees, to about 450 cc (in Australopithecus afarensis ).

Who said "This is my body"?

In the first of a two-part special, Brandon Ambrosino examines the evolutionary origins of religion. “This is my body.”. These words, recorded in the Gospels as being spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, are said daily at Church services around the world before the communion meal is eaten. When Christians hear these words spoken in ...

Is table sharing a ritual?

It is an act of table-sharing, certainly an important ritual in the ancient Near East. Seder, and later communion, were “taken up” theologically and liturgically, but the positive feelings around table-sharing were already in place.

Is religion a spandrel?

Others take the view that religion is a spandrel, or by-product of evolutionary processes. The word spandrel refers to an architectural shape that emerges as a by-product between arches and ceiling. Religion, on this interpretation, is akin to a vestigial organ.

What can you learn from religion classes?

In religion classes, you could learn that there are multiple opposing religious views on campus and be more open to them. Saying that a religion class could change your life is a big leap; however, in some cases it could allow you to explore a religion similar to your current beliefs. You might also like:

Why do religion classes have judgement free zones?

Most professors try to create a judgement-free zone in their classes so that students can feel free to talk. You might also like:

Do colleges require religion classes?

Some colleges require all students to take a lower level religion course as part of their distributional studies, while others do not require so, but still offer religion classes. Since college is the best time to explore religion, the main suggestion to any non-religious student is to go with a religion class that sounds interesting to you.

Is religion class bad?

For a college student who isn’t religious, taking a religion class may scare you and is possibly the last thing you ever want to do. In reality, religion classes aren’t that bad.

The Conflict Between Two Networks in The Brain

Religion and The Brain Circuits of Reward Processing

• A recent study from the University of Utah stated that religion can activate the same brain reward circuits as sex, drugs, and other addictive activities. The study explored how brain networks activate when a follower of religion goes through a deeply spiritual experience. The researchers examined the brains of 19 young Mormons using a functional M...

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