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May 14 , 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels February 20, 2004 A position against extremism I appreciate Michael Hays� Feb. 7 response to my Jan. 30 commentary, and will attempt to clarify points he finds confusing. I made no mention of major religions besides Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, because these three monotheistic religions are most familiar in the U.S. and all invoke a supernatural entity. Salient in my discussion was neuroscience�s findings that the sense of a supernatural connection, or mystical experience, is a facet of brain chemistry. Since the import of my scientific statements eludes Hays, I refer him to research in transcranial magnetic stimulation conducted by Dr. Michael Persinger and other neuroscientists (see innerworlds.50megs.com, with myriad links). Another good source is Dr. Andrew Newberg�s book, Brain Science and the Biology of Belief: Why God Won't Go Away. Solid empirical data show that intense spiritual experiences are reflected in cerebral matter. Neuroscientists make no claim to knowing whether brain processes active during religious ecstasy correspond with a higher reality, nor do they rule out that possibility. Hays states that Judaism does not vie for supremacy or proselytize. It is true that early in its history Judaism abandoned its aggressive proselytizing practice. Today, however, it has renewed recruiting efforts through the National Jewish Outreach Program and Proactive Conversion campaign. But Judaism�s comparatively small membership is offset by the broad power Jewish ideologues wield in our government. My earlier piece focused on Christian fundamentalism�s intrusiveness. Now I remind Hays that the majority members of our Defense Department, and those who promoted and directed the "war" in Iraq, are Zionist Jews--Perle, Wolfowitz, Feith, Abrams, to name a few. American Zionists overwhelmingly advocate right-wing Israeli policies. Today a lethal amalgam of politics, religion, and imperialism drives U.S. foreign policy. Religion per se is not objectionable. Every person should be free to practice a religion if they so choose. As social beings, humans get reinforcement from sharing religious rituals with others. Religious extremism, however, is offensive and dangerous, with its thick tendrils creeping in all directions to squeeze the life out of democracy and keep a stranglehold on human progress. Exacerbating this problem, unwittingly or not, are religious leaders who turn places of worship into fortresses to defend congregations against a perceived enemy: new ideas. Outside the safety of church structures, people stay wrapped in a tapestry of settled beliefs and guard against the unraveling of dogmatic threads in their protective fabric. But instead of passively accepting someone else�s inspiration as absolute truth or mind-clamping dogma, one could allow for the real possibility that life-enhancing surprises await humankind in this gloriously complex universe. And the more mysteries science uncovers, the more wondrous the possibilities. Marie Arvette Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams