Question by Simon C: Do you think several key religious figures may have had Temporal Lobe Epilepsy?
There is a type of epilepsy, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE), which can cause “powerful religious hallucinations and visions” in the minority of patients.
My interest began a few years ago after watching a documentary featuring a neuroscience professor, Vilayanur Ramachandran. Ever since, I’ve been trying to read as much on the topic as I could.
He theorized that our body’s response to religious symbols and/or words has a direct link in the temporal lobes of the brain. He backed this theory up through a few tests which measured the body’s response when presented with these words/symbols, as well as what regions of the brains “lit up”.
If true, it could explain why some people with TLE have the intense religious experiences during a seizure (hyperreligiosity).
Do you think some of the key religious figures of the past may have had TLE, and that could explain their ‘visions’? Like Paul on his way to Damascus, or Ellen White of the Seventh Day Adventists?
If not, why not?
Aye, I’ve read Dr. Persinger’s writing. His “God helmet” idea is very intriguing. I’d like to have a chance at trying that out myself, hehe.
corleone, it’s not insulting in the least. It does not refer to anyone in a derogatory sense, and it’s not stating it as fact. It’s asking for opinions based off of scientific evidence that we have available to us. It’s no different than someone asking if you believe in evolution of creationism. No need to be hypersensitive.
Best answer:
Answer by corrosionfactor
Check out Dr. Michael Persinger’s 2002 article “Science and the Resurrection” which deals exactly with that topic. Some stunning results from lab experiments are discussed. He’s a leading epilepsy researcher.
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