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February 10, 2000: Is Religion a Biological Impulse - Matthew Alper
Published 1 year, 6 months ago
Description
Art Bell opens with Colm Kelleher of the National Institute for Discovery Science discussing the investigation of a massive black triangle seen by four police officers over Illinois on January 5, 2000. NIDS investigators constructed a flight path showing the craft traveled from north of Chicago to southwestern Illinois over nine hours, with witnesses reporting it accelerated from hovering speed to thousands of miles per hour in seconds. Kelleher also describes a six-inch reflective object that hovered near a Utah rancher, scanning back and forth before shooting straight up when the man moved.
The main interview features Matthew Alper, author of The God Part of the Brain, who argues that spirituality is a genetically inherited trait. Alper presents evidence from brain imaging studies and temporal lobe epilepsy research showing that specific regions of the brain mediate spiritual experiences. He cites Dr. Michael Persinger's transcranial magnetic stimulator, which triggered a religious experience in an agnostic researcher by stimulating the temporal lobe.
Art challenges Alper throughout, noting that no isolated human culture has ever been found without belief in a higher power. Alper counters that this universality itself suggests biological wiring rather than external truth, arguing that a genuine God would not program creatures to perceive him so differently that they kill each other over competing interpretations.
The main interview features Matthew Alper, author of The God Part of the Brain, who argues that spirituality is a genetically inherited trait. Alper presents evidence from brain imaging studies and temporal lobe epilepsy research showing that specific regions of the brain mediate spiritual experiences. He cites Dr. Michael Persinger's transcranial magnetic stimulator, which triggered a religious experience in an agnostic researcher by stimulating the temporal lobe.
Art challenges Alper throughout, noting that no isolated human culture has ever been found without belief in a higher power. Alper counters that this universality itself suggests biological wiring rather than external truth, arguing that a genuine God would not program creatures to perceive him so differently that they kill each other over competing interpretations.