Biotheology, also known as neurotheology, is a field of scientific study that analyzes the biological basis of spirituality. This deals with the neurological, evolutionary, and psychological structures for cognitive experiences traditionally categorized as spiritual, such as feeling that time, fear and self-consciousness have dissolved, spiritual awe, oneness with the universe, ecstatic trance, sudden enlightenment and other altered states of consciousness which are the basis for many religious beliefs and behaviors.

Contents

1 See also 2 References 3 Additional Books 4 External Links

See also

• Neuroscience
• Zen and the Brain (MIT Press)

References

• Matthew Alper. The "God" Part of the Brain: A Scientific Interpretation of Human Spirituality and God http://www.godpart.com/
• James H. Austin. Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=3236
• Andrew Newberg, Eugene G. D'Aquili and Vince Rause. Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief. ISBN 0345440331

Additional Books

• NeuroTheology: Brain, Science, Spirituality, Religious Experience by R. Joseph, Andrew Newberg, Matthew Alper, William James, Friederich Neitzshe, Eugene G. d'Aquili, Michael Persinger, Carol Albright. (2nd edition, 2003) University Press. ISBN 0971644586.
• Neurotheology: Virtual Religion in the 21st Century by Laurence O. McKinney. (1994) American Institute for Mindfulness. ISBN 0945724012.

External Links

• Your Brain on Religion: Mystic visions or brain circuits at work? http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/neuro/neuronewswk.htm (Newsweek Neurotheology Article, May 2001) Recommended
• Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/neuro/neurotheology.htm Neurotheology resource directory