Your faith in God and your views on immigrants can be changed by beaming magnetic waves into the brain, British scientists claim. By using a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), researchers safely shut down certain groups of neurons in the brains of volunteers, Oxford Journals reported.
TMS, a procedure that is used to treat depression, involves electric currents emanating from a large electromagnetic coil placed against the scalp, to stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in mood control.
“Researchers found the technique radically altered religious perceptions and prejudice. Belief in God was reduced almost by a third, while participants became 28.5 per cent less bothered by immigration numbers.”
As the world struggles with the turmoil caused by religious zealots everywhere, this sounds like a major breakthrough and a certain way to bring peace to our troubled planet. Atheists have long accused people of faith to be the root cause of the world’s troubles.
While it may be true that there is a part of the brain that embraces abstract ways looking for comfort in troubles times, it must also be said about true believers in God through Jesus Christ that faith is not of the mind but of the heart.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
Not discounting the importance of the mind in our decision-making and direction in life, the mind is influenced by faith from the inner man, and therefore subject to it.
I agree that some people of faith have it in their minds only, as a cultural tradition that is very dear to them. Their minds were shaped by their families, communities, peers and education, and therefore nothing but a mental perception.
Even Christianity is, sad to say, filled with such believers. A simple change of mind changes their religion. We see this happening all the time.
True faith in God follows an experience with the living Christ. It is not a mental thing but a real and sober experience that cannot be taken away from you. What you have experienced becomes a part of your life and who you are. You simply cannot deny an experience!
As Christians we raise our children in the ways of the Lord, but if we don’t bring them to an experience with the living Christ, it remains a pathway instilled in their minds. The same goes for churches that preach and teach, but fail to bring their adherents to a place where they see the living Christ revealed to them, and experience His life-changing touch.
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-68
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17
