We found this article after writing our other piece today, and we feel that it confirms, scientifically, what we were saying. There is a significant decrease in cognitive flexibility while following a fundamentalist religion.
A study published in the journal Neuropsychologia has shown that religious fundamentalism is, in part, the result of a functional impairment in a brain region known as the prefrontal cortex. The findings suggest that damage to particular areas of the prefrontal cortex indirectly promotes religious fundamentalism by diminishing cognitive flexibility and openness—a psychology term that describes a personality trait which involves dimensions like curiosity, creativity, and open-mindedness.
The adage of everything is ok in moderation comes to mind. Let’s talk about Mary. Mary was an alcoholic until she found religion. She now worships as a fundamentalist Baptist who took on religion to replace alcohol. I will put it here that spirituality and mindfulness are different than being a fundamentalist. It seems interesting that the study found the same injury to be caused by both.
These findings are important because they suggest that impaired functioning in the prefrontal cortex—whether from brain trauma, a psychological disorder, a drug or alcohol addiction, or simply a particular genetic profile—can make an individual susceptible to religious fundamentalism. And perhaps in other cases, extreme religious indoctrination harms the development or proper functioning of the prefrontal regions in a way that hinders cognitive flexibility and openness.
We have bagged on religion a lot in the last few days. We just ask you to think about how your religion wants to regulate your body, other people and their bodies, and their happiness and health. The whole aim of this blog is to help you realize important health issues. It also comes from someone with a professional license to practice independently and not from the dogma that comes from a book translated at least 100 times since the original. Pretty sure my medical opinion is more evidenced based.
Damn it’s drafty…burn restrictions…I need to make sure that bats in my belfries are secure.