13AR18-22

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Apologia Report 18:22 (1,158)

June 12, 2013

Subject: "The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience"

In this issue:

MORMONISM - another LDS author claims to speak for Christianity

NEUROSCIENCE - brain scans, free will, and personal responsibility

WORD-FAITH MOVEMENT - any connection to Liberation Theology?

YOGA - yet another example of religious instruction from Yoga Journal

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MORMONISM

Where Are the Christians? The Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion, by Eric Shuster [1] -- "There was a time - not all that long ago - when the question 'Where are the Christians?' would never have been asked. But shifts in demographics, a decline in mainline religion, and the influx of immigrants from other cultures has muddied the issue, creating a cottage industry of polling and surveying, tracking the whereabouts of Christians of all affiliations. Shuster <www.ow.ly/lYduu> offers a comprehensive survey of Christian populations, beginning with the birth of the church and extending to the present. This multi-layered work examines the question 'What is a Christian?' from many perspectives. The gradual erosion of society's mores and the crumbling of family structures are seen as factors in the disestablishment of American religious life. Along the way, Shuster challenges readers to evaluate their own commitment to the Christian faith. Such introspection can be painful, but in the end, the reader is rewarded with a richer understanding of one's self and one's neighbors. This very fine work deserves a wide audience." Publishers Weekly, Apr '13 #3, n.p.

From Amazon we learn that Shuster "has dedicated his writing career to building bridges of understanding between Christians. His first book, Catholic Roots, Mormon Harvest [2], chronicles the faith journey of he and his wife, including the respectful comparison of dozens of doctrines between Catholicism and Mormonism. His second book, The Biblical Roots of Mormonism [3] (coauthored with Charles Sale), provides a common scriptural platform for Christians to better understand Mormon doctrine using over 1,000 scriptural references from the Bible. Mr. Shuster's latest book is Where are the Christians: the Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion which examines the past, present and future of Christianity while challenging readers to reflect upon their own spirituality in Jesus Christ."

Shuster also heads something called The Foundation for Christian Studies <www.studychristianity.org>. Another Shuster-run site, FindYourChristianity.com, offers two online "Profiling Exercises" - one to help visitors "Find Out What Type of Christian You Are," and one to assess their "Pharisaical Profile" ("Are You a Unifier or a Divider?").

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NEUROSCIENCE

Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience, by Sally Satel and Scott O. Lilienfeld [4] -- from Amazon we learn: "What can't neuroscience tell us about ourselves? Since fMRI - functional magnetic resonance imaging - was introduced in the early 1990s, brain scans have been used to help politicians understand and manipulate voters, determine guilt in court cases, and make sense of everything from musical aptitude to romantic love. But although brain scans and other neurotechnologies have provided groundbreaking insights into the workings of the human brain, the increasingly fashionable idea that they are the most important means of answering the enduring mysteries of psychology is misguided—and potentially dangerous.

"In Brainwashed, psychiatrist and [American Enterprise Institute] scholar Sally Satel and psychologist Scott O. Lilienfeld reveal how many of the real - world applications of human neuroscience gloss over its limitations and intricacies, at times obscuring - rather than clarifying - the myriad factors that shape our behavior and identities. Brain scans, Satel and Lilienfeld show, are useful but often ambiguous representations of a highly complex system. Each region of the brain participates in a host of experiences and interacts with other regions, so seeing one area light up on an fMRI in response to a stimulus doesn't automatically indicate a particular sensation or capture the higher cognitive functions that come from those interactions. The narrow focus on the brain's physical processes also assumes that our subjective experiences can be explained away by biology alone. As Satel and Lilienfeld explain, this 'neurocentric' view of the mind risks undermining our most deeply held ideas about selfhood, free will, and personal responsibility, putting us at risk of making harmful mistakes, whether in the courtroom, interrogation room, or addiction treatment clinic.

"A provocative account of our obsession with neuroscience, Brainwashed brilliantly illuminates what contemporary neuroscience and brain imaging can and cannot tell us about ourselves, providing a much-needed reminder about the many factors that make us who we are." Also see <www.ow.ly/lY2Rh>

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WORD-FAITH MOVEMENT

"Is the 'Prosperity Gospel' Real Liberation (for Oppressed Minorities)?" by Roger Olson -- it seems that some academics are making a connection between liberation theology and the Word-Faith movement. Olson has picked up on this too. "According to one lecturer, a church historian, the so-called 'prosperity gospel' is regarded by many African-American and Hispanic Pentecostals as 'true liberation.' The professor didn't exactly compare it against liberation theology, but the implication was clear. The professor is a Hispanic Pentecostal and seemed to me favorable to the chosen topic and the claim that it is 'true liberation.' (But, it's difficult to tell; the professor may have been playing the devil's advocate.)"

At length, Olson blogs about what the "Prosperity Gospel" is and is not, concluding that it "is not liberating." We found it here on April 21: <www.ow.ly/lTwcN>

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YOGA

"Superpowered": Summon the spirit to make positive change by calling on Durga, warrior goddess of strength and protection" by Sally Kempton <sallykempton.com> -- the author makes it clear that she is referring to Indian mythology. She suggests: "You may wonder why, as a contemporary yogi, you'd find it worthwhile to invite the energy of mythic beings into your meditation practice. ... Meditating on deities like Durga, Hanuman, Shiva, and Lakshmi can call forth specific powers and qualities within you. ... For centuries, the Indian and Tibetan Tantric traditions have taught meditations and mantras for bringing deity energy into the body and mind. Goddesses are especially potent, since they personify Shakti, the subtle feminine force that enlivens the world, often considered the power behind spiritual growth." She adds: "though mythic, they are not just figments of human imagination. Goddess images represent real forces present in the universe. Their forms are extremely subtle, which is why they're not normally apparent." In this case, Durga is "the deity to call on when you're in deep trouble."

On the next page the reader is given instruction on how to "call on Durga" including, visualization and communication with the spirit. The article, adapted from the author's new book, Awakening Shakti [5], concludes: "The more you invite Durga's energy into your life, the more you'll feel her opening you to your inner warrior. Her power guards your highest aspirations, and she promises never to let you down." Yoga Journal, Jun '13, pp55-62.

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SOURCES: Monographs

1 - Where Are the Christians: The Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion, by Eric Shuster (Cedar Fort, 2013, hardcover, 336 pages) <www.ow.ly/lTk82>

2 - Catholic Roots, Mormon Harvest, by Eric Shuster (Cedar Fort, 2009, paperback, 288 pages) <www.ow.ly/lTl8e>

3 - The Biblical Roots of Mormonism, by Eric Shuster and Charles Sale (Cedar Fort, 2010, paperback, 288 pages) <www.ow.ly/lTlLM>

4 - Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience, by Sally Satel and Scott O. Lilienfeld (Basic, 2013, hardcover, 256 pages) <www.ow.ly/lTDYi>

5 - Awakening Shakti, by Sally Kempton (Sounds True, 2013, paperback, 376 pages) <www.ow.ly/lTDzR>

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