"Wired Spirituality"
September 13, 2002

You’d think that somewhere along psychology’s history someone would have theorized about the brain being responsible for spiritual experiences. Surprisingly it wasn’t until 1998 that a major book was published on the subject. That year Dr. James Austin published “Zen and the Brain,” and since then more and more people have studied “neurotheology,” or the study of neurobiology affecting religion and spirituality.

Psychologist David Wulff of Wheaton College in Massachusetts says that because spiritual experiences are consistent across cultures, it “suggests a common core that is likely a reflection of structure and process in the human brain.” Other scientists and psychologists have since done extensive studies to try to “prove” that spiritual experiences are rooted in physical changes in the brain. Taken a step further, they would argue there is no Holy Spirit, and no personal revelations. Rather, these psychologists would argue those experiences are merely the result of natural biological brain functions.

But even under those pretenses, there is still the question of whether our brain wiring creates the idea of God, or whether God created our brain wiring. Losing ourselves in prayer may feel good or uplifting, but Christianity (and any religion) doesn’t rest solely on spiritual experiences. Religion encompasses a whole range of acts and insights without requiring a “spiritual experience.”

Christians throughout history have noted that spiritual experiences could give people pride or self-indulgence. It’s just as important to “love you neighbor.” In fact, Catholic candidates for sainthood are measured more by charity than by their mystical experiences. My faith rests not on emotional and spiritual experiences (although it plays a significant role). Mine rests on the reason and evidence in favor of Christ's message.

But I digress. I have yet to see conclusive evidence that spiritual experiences are based solely on changes in our brain. The most scientists can do is correlate certain experiences with certain brain activity. It seems to me as though suggesting the brain is our only source of our experiences is reductionist. Nevertheless, it could be “discovered” someday. Either way, it doesn’t discount the probability that God created the wiring that way, to lead us to Him.