Why God Won't Go away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief - Hardcover

Newberg, Andrew; D'Aquili, Eugene D.; Rause, Vince

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0345440331 ISBN 13: 9780345440334

Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc., 2001

Synopsis

A landmark introduction to the new field of neurotheology explores the complex relationship that exists between spirituality belief and the human brain, examining the link between transcendant religious experience and actual neurological events that occur within the brain. 35,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

Over the centuries, theories have abounded as to why human beings have a seemingly irrational attraction to God and religious experiences. In Why God Won't Go Away authors Andrew Newberg, MD, Eugene D'Aquili, MD, and Vince Rause offer a startlingly simple, yet scientifically plausible opinion: humans seek God because our brains are biologically programmed to do so.

Researchers Newberg and D'Aquili used high-tech imaging devices to peer into the brains of meditating Buddhists and Franciscan nuns. As the data and brain photographs flowed in, the researchers began to find solid evidence that the mystical experiences of the subjects "were not the result of some fabrication, or simple wishful thinking, but were associated instead with a series of observable neurological events," explains Newberg. "In other words, mystical experience is biologically, observably and scientifically real.... Gradually, we shaped a hypothesis that suggests that spiritual experience, at its very root, is intimately interwoven with human biology." Lay readers should be warned that although the topic is fascinating, the writing is geared toward scientific documentation that defends the authors' hypothesis. For a more palatable discussion, seek out Deepak Chopra's How to Know God, in which he also explores this fascinating evidence of spiritual hard-wiring. --Gail Hudson

Review:

" A wonderful assessment of the brain and its activity when God is experienced."
- HERBERT BENSON, M.D.,
President, Mind/Body Medical Institute and
Author of "The Relaxation Response"

" A THRILLING EXPLORATION . . . Newberg' s reverential attitude toward the great unknowns is reminiscent of Einstein' s."
- LARRY DOSSEY, M.D.
Author of "Reinventing Medicine" and "Healing Words"

A wonderful assessment of the brain and its activity when God is experienced.
HERBERT BENSON, M.D.,
President, Mind/Body Medical Institute and
Author of The Relaxation Response

A THRILLING EXPLORATION . . . Newberg s reverential attitude toward the great unknowns is reminiscent of Einstein s.
LARRY DOSSEY, M.D.
Author of Reinventing Medicine and Healing Words"

"A wonderful assessment of the brain and its activity when God is experienced."
-HERBERT BENSON, M.D.,
President, Mind/Body Medical Institute and
Author of The Relaxation Response

"A THRILLING EXPLORATION . . . Newberg's reverential attitude toward the great unknowns is reminiscent of Einstein's."
-LARRY DOSSEY, M.D.
Author of Reinventing Medicine and Healing Words

About this edition

• Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc.
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0345440331
• ISBN 13: 9780345440334
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320