Small Groups

Brain Science and the Biology of Belief

Carol Lysne will lead a discussion of Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief, by Andrew Newberg and Eugene d'Aquili. Newberg and d'Aquili explore the connections between the biology of our brains and our religious experience, using sophisticated neurological imaging techniques to study those engaged in deep spiritual contemplation, such as Buddhist monks and Franciscan nuns. Their results showed how alterations in brain activity are associated with our sense that the transcendent is tangibly real. This is not, however, a reductionist exercise designed to debunk religious belief. Newberg does not believe that neuroscience can say whether God exists or not, but he does believe that God seems to be hard-wired into the human brain, finding "echoes of the infinite buried within its convoluted folds."

In preparation for a two-day workshop that Andrew Newberg will be leading at First United in September, everyone is invited to join in an all-church read of this stimulating book. It can be purchased online or in book stores, or you can ask the church office to purchase a copy for you.

Brain Science and the Biology of Belief

Pastor Greta McDonald will lead a discussion of Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief, by Andrew Newberg and Eugene d'Aquili. Newberg and d'Aquili explore the connections between the biology of our brains and our religious experience, using sophisticated neurological imaging techniques to study those engaged in deep spiritual contemplation, such as Buddhist monks and Franciscan nuns. Their results showed how alterations in brain activity are associated with our sense that the transcendent is tangibly real. This is not, however, a reductionist exercise designed to debunk religious belief. Newberg does not believe that neuroscience can say whether God exists or not, but he does believe that God seems to be hard-wired into the human brain, finding "echoes of the infinite buried within its convoluted folds."

In preparation for a two-day workshop that Andrew Newberg will be leading at First United in September, everyone is invited to join in an all-church read of this stimulating book. It can be purchased online or in book stores, or you can ask the church office to purchase a copy for you.

Pastor Jim McDonald will lead discussions based on a set of DVDs, hosted by Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health.

This week, Concluding Bible Study on Creation Care, by Beth Norcross, Denise Dombkowski Hopkins, Bruce Birch, Susan Willhauch and Kendall Soulen; Wesley Theological Seminary.

Pastor Jim McDonald will lead discussions based on a set of DVDs, hosted by Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health.

This week, Genetic Science and the Frontiers of Ethics, by Ted Peters, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (part 1).