In the paper

david hobbs · In the paper

I read in the paper today that religious people can withstand physical pain by contemplating then virgin Mary whilst being administered pain.

A group of atheist and a group of catholics where used and whilst (I think it was electric shocks) were administered they looked a picture of the Virgin Mary.

The catholics withstood the pain much better than the atheists.

I can't say that I am surprised by this as it just highlights the power of belief.

Raymond

Or the power of the mind. I'm sure if they showed the Athiests a picture of something they took comfort from or had faith in then the outcome possibly would have been different.

What exactly did this 'experiment' prove anyway?

david hobbs

I supose it proved that if you believe that the Virgin will come to your aid

in times of need, then she will.

It proves what we already know.

You can convince yourself of anything.

Including paranormal events.

Raymond

I think that's slightly different.

Catholics believe Mary is a protector and guiding light for them, I don't view 'paranormal events' as a protector or guiding light.

If one of the Athiests had a particularly close bond with their Mother (for example) and was shown a picture of her then I'm sure they would have lasted longer with the torture.

You have to bear in mind as well that the dear old Cathy's do love a good bit of martyrdom. I suppose they thought this pointless excercise was in some way proving the existance of the virgin mary or some other nonsense.

david hobbs

The tests were carried out by scientists. As far as I know there was not a religious agenda.

They wired up the subjects skulls to find out what part of the brain caused the event.

I suppose the idea was to find out how faith affects the physical body and what part of the brain was involved.It would be akin to the placebo effect.

They suggested that perhaps martyrs withstood torture better than others because of their faith.

I find that a bit of a leap personally.

Raymond

I'm not saying the scientists had a religious agenda but the subjects certainly did, religious types always do.

I suppose they will go around showing the results of the experiment to try and convert others to thier sky-god faith.

david hobbs

Yes good point.

Christians see suffering as a part of the religion as far as I can see.

Good old Jesus.

They should all watch the Zeitgeist movie.

Oh just thought.

That would be the work of the Devil.

Raymond

Get down off that cross. Somebody needs the wood.

wackyjacky