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INTRODUCING THE TOPIC: MORE ON MIND AND CONSCIOUSNESS AND GOD
In discussions about science and God there are principally three areas of knowledge which it is important to explore. We might informally call these matters of the universe, matters of life on earth and matters of the mind. The third of these is the area in which we have the least confidence that we truly understand what is going on. At the same time it is perhaps the most fascinating of the three topics since matters of the mind for all of us is a continuous every day phenomenon, without which we would not exist.
For Christians there is an added dimension of intrigue: it is via our minds that we can have direct interaction with the creator of the universe. What can neuroscience tell us about what goes on ‘in our heads’? Can specialist branches of neuroscience assist when things go awry on our minds? Can neuroscience shed light on what we may label ‘spirituality’?
In January 2021 Grasping the Nettle held a webinar to explore some of these issues with the help of retired psychotherapist Dr Peter Bowes, Emeritus Professor of psychiatric genetics Douglas Blackwood and consultant neurologist Dr Ian Morrison. Dr Bowes presented a paper entitled 'Neuroscience Meets the God of the Letter to the Colossians'. It was something of a personal journey in the understanding of himself and the search for meaning integrally linked to the spiritual dimension of life. You can read the paper here or access it separately through the drop down menu in the Watch section of the website. Please feel free to comment on it or raise questions related to it in the context of our discussion.
In the time available in the webinar we could only scratch the surface of the issues. We are therefore continuing our discussion here in the hope of being as helpful as possible to many associated with GTN with a genuine interest in this topic. We are being joined in our discussion by medical doctor Antony Latham.
Welcome to our forum table exploring issues related to neuroscience and God.
Ed.