Researchers Discover 'Anxiety Cells' In The Brain

Listening to music, exercise. enjoying art. There are many human activities that release dopamine in the brain thus assuaging doldrums. Why don’t you list these things as needing to be done away with by modulating the anxiety cells? If your entire thread was not based on loathing for religion, I might have found some credibility in it. Yet you continue to bounce between seeing religion in general and in particular; and always you see it as if it were a type of mental illness.
Apparently, it is more fun to join in the pseudoscientific hoopla over feel good chemistry than to take the complex brain activities involving homeostasis seriously. The fact that you read reviews of “What Makes Us Think”, is not impressive. It’s a short book, which you could probably read in a couple of hours.
It is not outdated, as you would suggest, but speaks to the foibles of oversimplification that characterize most reductionist views about brain chemistry and its use in the economy and ecology of mind/brain functions. Your reductionism here shows little understanding of cultural or societal memes.

Sure, you say that here but in most of your posts you treat theists as a homogeneous group. In fact, you do it in the subsequent paragraphs of your post.

That’s just another restatement of your thesis.

No, they won’t “immediately counterattack”. You choose to ignore all the times when they don’t counterattack … when “threats” are ignored, when disputes are amicably resolved, when confrontations are defused. That doesn’t make the news so it appears not to happen.

Most of those cartoons were intended to mock them, theirs beliefs and the people who they respect. So their negative reaction can be explained as being offended by mockery and ridicule rather than some kind of religious psychology.

Who was killed for his mere existence? You present no actual evidence that it happened and that psychological security was the cause.

The word “atheist” goes back to ancient Greece.

There is no evidence that the story of Abraham is anything more than a story. Why are you treating it as a fact? And how would you know the (real or fictional) psychology of Abraham?

Interestingly enough, religions often state that compassion, reason and rationality ought to overcome baser human instincts.

That’s your opinion. It appears that in this forum and in your threads in particular, you have been criticized for having weak arguments and for not responding adequately to the opposition arguments. I don’t see “lashing out” because of some threat to psychological security.

Well, at least you realize that much.

Note with new Scientific and other discoveries, the two main attention is
‘How to use it to promote good’ and
‘How to use it to prevent, eliminate evil acts’

Listening to music, exercise. enjoying art, etc. are generally good, so there is no need to put a negative view to it.

Note this is the ‘Religion and Spirituality’ section so I have to be on topic.

Technically, what drive theism and religion is a kind of mental illness, i.e. the existential crisis within. But because the majority are effected by it and the pros outweigh the cons, it is accepted as a norm since it emerged to the present.

One cannot ignore the terrible evils and violence that are directly associated with theism and religion. Theism-as-whole inherently and in part has very malignant elements which need to be dealt with. The consequences of these malignant elements are very evident.

I can’t find the book to download to get an idea, so at least I read a review.
Besides I can’t afford a couple of hours as I am on a project with lots of books to read.

You keep mentioning ‘reductionism’ but you did not address my arguments.

  1. Anxiety cells [existential related] drive humans to religions.

  2. Religion assuages anxiety [existential related]

  3. Religion causes atrocities (by SOME evil prone believers in Islam)

  4. Anxiety cells discovered in the brain

  5. Anxiety cells [existential related] are identified

  6. Anxiety cells [existential related] identified are modulated.

  7. Anxiety driving one to be religious (1) is reduced and/or eliminated - no more religious.

  8. Religion waned and/or disappeared

  9. Religious atrocities waned and/or disappear.

Note at present neuroscientists are able to link certain parts [reductionism??] of the brain to certain behavior. Doctors has operated and excised some minor parts to cure epilepsy. This is very crude at present.
healthline.com/health/types … in-surgery

In the future when we can link the anxiety cells and others cells to the existential crisis we would be able to modulate religions and theism more precisely.

I am VERY conscious of gradation along a continuum within reality. That is why I always qualify with terms ‘various degrees’ ‘continuum’ ‘some’ most of the time where relevant. Who else does that? It is my default view but I can’t repeat that all the time whenever I posts.

It is human nature and instinctual to focus on the negative/threat and potential negative to humanity and the individual. This is why BAD-News sell, not Good-News.
This is why I focus in the evidences of evil acts, e.g.

Note this;

So they kill non-believers Primarily because they are mere disbelievers and others are secondary reasons. Note this critical point!

To maintain intellectual integrity, most of what I state here is always based on evidence and what I have read from somewhere. Point is it is very tedious to provide the reference. You will note I am the only one at present who is providing reference and links extensively in my posts. Who else is doing that?

So where is your evidence?
It’s etymology is stated in Wiki but note I mentioned when it was first coined,

“the actual term atheism emerged first in the 16th century.”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism

So who is right? See I did not invent it.

I know it is a story but the Christians will think otherwise. Moreover what is critical here is the principle involved.
Note the above principles of psychology can be abstracted from real empirical behaviors and thinking of existing believers. Note the extremes of evils SOME believers are willing to do in the name of God.

Obviously there will always be opposition to any arguments but it is obviously there a loads of snarky responses from many [not you].

Though not qualified, this is a default in any discussion forum in the internet.
To be serious one should publish one’s ideas in research papers in credible societies to be challenged by peers.

The primary function of brains is to achieve homeostasis of brain/body functions.
So what is existential angst? Do atheists suffer from it? If so, why?
Is it just some free-floating, ephemeral dis—ease that affects all humans?
Or is it only indicated in the persons who believe in theism?

If you reread your posts, you will notice how often you make general statements about theists.

I would call this confirmation bias. You are specifically looking for these sorts of statements. They support your agenda.

You originally wrote :
“3. Even worst, non-believers are killed merely because their existence itself is perceived as a threat to the psychological security of the theists. Thus the coinage of the derogatory term ‘atheist’ in the 16th century.”

I don’t know why you added the second sentence about the term “atheist”. The word was already used in ancient Greece and Rome. So what was your point? It doesn’t enhance your claim that those people were killed because of a “threat to the psychological security of theists”. It was an irrelevant addition.

Well, 5% of the population is psychopathic and sociopathic. Therefore, you can expect “extreme” behavior from 1 out of 20 people - believers and non-believers.

We need to add, to facilitate survival and avoidance the threats of of premature death.

I have wrote many times,
the existential crisis generating existential angst is a fundamental potential in ALL humans DNA wise. It is very active [subliminally] within the majority of people. One of the resultant of the existential crisis is anxiety via the anxiety cells [as discovered per OP].

Theism [believing in a God in various forms] is the most effective balm to soothe, inhibit, suppress, deflect, redirect the existential angst which caused terrible psychological turmoil within the pysche.

While theism is an effective solution to soothe the existential angst, it is a double-edged blade, i.e. it facilitates SOME believers to commit VERY terrible evils and violence around the World in the name of their theistic religion.

It is not practical to qualify all the time, but I am trying my best to be specific as much as possible. So far I note I am the only one here who is attempting to qualify and be specific - in using ‘SOME’ ‘degrees’ various, etc. Who else?

If I do not bring supporting evidence, you complain. When I bring supporting evidence you also complain.

My point above is to support the fact that there is an evil ethos inherent in the core texts of the religion of Islam. It is a fact, what is the issue then?

Note when people feel threatened, they will introduce all sorts of derogatory and dehumanizing words directed at the threat [often misperceived], e.g. ‘atheists’ ‘satanic’ ‘apes’ ‘pigs’ so that their people will have a focused-negative attitude toward what is deemed as a threat. Note the current examples of ‘islamophobe’ ‘racists’ bigots, etc. directed as those who critique Islam.

So my point is the term ‘atheist’ was coined in the 16th century to direct a derogatory and negative attitude to non-theists as a threat [based on misperception] and out of unwarranted fears.

Note this was added and followed from the Bible’s,
Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

Actually it is estimated within the psychology & psychiatric community, appx 1% are psychopathic, i.e. 70 million.

But note evil proneness come in degrees within a continuum, if psychopathy [malignant] is say 95% evilness then petty evils is say 10% evilness.

From the above one can infer appx 20% of Muslims are active to commit degrees of evilness up to 75% [serious evil] which will including killing, raping, oppression, violence, etc.
20% of of Muslims who are likely to commit serious evils is 300 million :astonished: :astonished: around the World.
Note even 1 Muslim, i.e. a lone wolf evil prone Muslim inspired by the inherent evil elements in the Quran can already caused tremendous amount to terrible evil acts and violence. Just imagine the potential from 300 million [~] evil prone Muslims.
This is why the evil and violent acts of Muslims around the World is so evident and that is a critical threat to humanity in the future.

You should reflect wisely on the following;
It is so evident evil prone Muslims [a significant SOME] as inspired by their religion are committing terrible evil and violent acts around the World, - why are you doing nothing about it. e.g. one statistics among the many others;

In addition why are you condemning me to stop me who critique the source of the evils and contributing views to find solutions to the evil and violence acts.

DSMV does not have a listing for theism or for some generalized existential angst.
There are theists who have done much good in the world. You would throw out the baby with the bath water.
Modulation of anxiety cells would require a superior knowledge of where in the brain toxic events actually are seen to occur and why they are taken to be recognized as toxic. Let’s hope future science will have no interest in disturbing normal homeostasis. The brain’s reaction is to pain, regardless of how the pain is characterized. There 's no universal pain called existential angst. The closest you can get to anything like that(universal DNA ordained)is the drive to adapt and to survive. It can be said that religion is an adaptation meme and that the adherents who kill and maim in the name of religion will be sloughed off the genetic evolutionary process as waste.

I’m talking to you. It’s irrelevant what other people are doing.

If you don’t provide evidence, then you are making an unsupported claim.
If you cherry-pick your sources, then you are making a biased claim.

If you are going to talk about theists in the general sense that you do, then your evidence has to apply to the vast majority of theists. Currently it does not.

This is one of your unsupported claims. You haven’t written anything that shows that the use of the word “atheist” in the 16th century was the result of a perceived threat or an unwarranted fear.

I wrote psychopath and sociopaths:

quora.com/What-percentage-o … sociopaths

No, let’s not just make up some numbers.

I’m critiquing your poor arguments, lack of evidence and what appears to be a clear bias.

If that’s a problem for you then maybe a philosophy forum is not the proper place for you.

DSMV cover serious mental illnesses.
Theism arise from a “mental problem” of low degrees which is not of immediate threat to the well being of the individual - thus not covered within the DSMV.
But since theism-as-a-whole generate terrible evil and violent consequences by SOME within a potential pool of >300 millions, it is significant and thus humanity need to investigate the problem to its proximate root causes, i.e. the existential angst.

This point refer to good done in the name of a God. I agree, but note I have stated at present there is a net-pros against the cons of theism, e.g. provide basic morality, charity, social works, etc. But the trend into the future is the cons of theism [especially from Islam] are outweighing the pros of theism.
These theists could also done good if they are not theists by exercising standard human values without driven by a deity [illusory and impossible].

That is why I mentioned the ongoing and progressing Human Connectome Project where human will obtain superior knowledge of the brain connectivity.
I agree with homeostasis per se, but what is normal homeostasis. Homeostasis is like a thermostat where a ‘standard’ need to be set. In the case of humans, there are many standards -some almost fixed and permanent while others can be variable.
Whatever the inborn standard [‘fixed’ or variable] we have to review the related consequences.
I believe we can modulate the anxiety cell without disturbing those ‘fixed’ standards.

Note when a person face the threat of potential premature death, there are definite mental pains to drive the person to avoid the threat to dissolve the pain.
At present the hope of talks with Kim of North Korea would have relieved the related existential pains of a lot of South Koreans and some around the world. Note we are dealing with only possibilities of the potential existential threat, what more if the threat of death is a lingering certainty.

Now what is more significant is this; it is a ‘fact’ all humans face the ‘threat’ of the certainty of mortality and the subconscious [not consciousness] is entangled in a dilemma and this triggered the existential angst.

I could write a paper but it is general knowledge to understand,
when people feel threatened, they will introduce all sorts of derogatory and dehumanizing words directed at the threat [often misperceived]
Note the amount of condemnations thrown at enemies and those perceived as ‘enemies’.
The term ‘atheist’ was a derogatory term [epithet -a disparaging word] coined in the 16th century by the theists to ‘put down’ non-theists.
Note this is common [the us versus them instinct] within the theistic world where non-believers are condemned as ‘kafir’ kuffar, infidels, etc.

I am not going to dispute the above as in a way the higher percentage support my point.
If we take 5% are psychopaths and sociopaths, then we have a pool of 75 millions Muslims (5% x 1.5 b) who are psychopaths and sociopaths who are easily influenced by the evil elements in the holy texts of the religion.

The above is a simple inference.
If you agree 5% are psychopaths and sociopaths, i.e. 75 million Muslim, one can predict 10% will commit evil acts that are lesser than the evils committed by psychopaths.

It is my discretion. I am looking forward to some serious critiques so that I can counter and improve on my arguments.
So far your counters are very petty.

You continue to label any constructive criticism as petty, snarky or attempts to shut you down. How can you expect to play a new song when you are stuck on the same notes? Looking over this thread, I see that some of the smarter people who post here are dismissed as ignorant. Yet you offer the same arguments for a questionable thesis. Phyllo’s characterization of the thread stands IMHO. Good luck in finding anyone here who will dare to question your assumptions.

Let’s see if I get you correctly__

  1. religion can best be described as a range of evil–from less to more, but all evil.
  2. everybody experiences existential angst. It’s DNA ordained.
  3. brain functioning (Homeostasis) is the current psychiatric model of addressing pain with endorphins
  4. apparently the brain cannot fathom greater pains than bodily necessities and needs to be apprised of religion-causing pains.
  5. so apprised anxiety cells will react to the presence of religion
  6. if not scientists must modulate the anxiety cells so that they do not reward religions with feel good juices
  7. the excesses practiced by a minority of Islamic terrorists indicates what religion now is and what its future offers mankind
  8. religion is a type of mental illness
  9. anxiety cells can be modulated
  10. scientists are well equipped to philosophize regarding all religious beliefs.

Nope I am not shutting criticisms but hoping for more criticisms with greater bite.
When I say “ignorant” [not pejoratively] petty, narrow, shallow, it imply I am aware there are [possibly] more serious, wider and deeper basis of criticism of my views. Philosophy wise I think I am doing others a favor.

Note I have been criticized [elsewhere] as ‘petty’ and lack of depth when I referred to Kant, Islam, Buddhism and many others. I don’t complain but take the initiative to study them in great depth.
In the past I relied mostly on secondary sources but got hit by others who referred to the primary sources, so I had to read up the primary sources of the related philosophers to keep up.

The above is messed up, many are wrong and do not follow.

Note I presented this argument earlier [now including some of your points];

everybody experiences existential angst. It’s DNA ordained. (2)

  1. DNA wise, anxiety cells [existential related] drive humans to invent religions/theism.

  2. Religion assuages anxiety [existential related]
    religion is a type of mental illness -non DSMV (8)

  3. Religion causes atrocities (by SOME evil prone believers in Islam)
    the excesses practiced by a minority of Islamic terrorists indicates what religion now is and what its future offers mankind (7)

  4. Anxiety cells discovered in the brain by scientists

  5. Anxiety cells [existential related] are identified
    anxiety cells can be modulated (9)

  6. Anxiety cells [existential related] identified are modulated [future only]

  7. Anxiety driving one to be religious (1) is reduced and/or eliminated - no more religious.

  8. Replaced - religions waned and/or disappeared in the future

The above premises follow but is not polished, I hope you get the gist.

The above link the discovery of anxiety cells as a driver of religion [note there are other drivers] and how such discovery will enable the elimination of religions/theism.
We focus on anxiety re the OP, but the actual solutions involved dealing with other critical factors not mentioned here.

Criticisms of the above?

There is no proof that everyone experiences existential angst as anything more than an impetus to adapt and survive.
Your psychoanalyses here tend to be limited to Islamic terrorists.
There is no proof that the creation of religion has anything to do with anxiety cells in the brain.
That theism is a form of mental illness is a matter of personal opinion.
The purpose of anxiety cells in the brain is to ensure mind/body homeostasis.

Well, I could say that “it is common for atheists to call theists ‘mentally ill’ because of a perceived threat and unwarranted fear”.

But to do that, I would need to :

  1. research how common it is and determine actual statistics.
  2. research to determine if the motivation is a perceived threat and/or fear.
  3. research to determine if the fear is warranted or unwarranted.

All of which are large tasks. I have not done those tasks and therefore I can’t legitimately make that claim.

You need to do the same kind of research with respect to your claims about theists and I don’t think you have done it. You have no statistics. Your evidence about motivation is cherry-picked. You can’t even say that ‘fear’ is a major motivation.

You wrote :

What is “95% evilness” or “10% evilness”? :confused:

You made up those percentages. They are meaningless. Therefore, any inferences based on those percentages are meaningless.

There is no reason to produce other “serious critiques” when you can’t even counter these critiques.

But you’re right … your response is entirely up to you. I can’t make you do anything.

DNA wise ALL humans are programmed to survived.

Whenever a threat [of various degrees] to one’s survival [existence] is perceived explicitly or implicitly and there is no solution [immediately or in the long term] then existential angst [of various degrees] will manifest in terms of worries, anxieties, despair, hopelessness, etc. This is proof everyone experience existential angst.

However the existential angst that is responsible for religion is one that arise from a threat that is permanent and 100% certain, i.e. mortality with no possible solutions. If the other non permanent and uncertain existential threats generate the above mental sufferings just imagine an existential threat that is 100% certain.

Fortunately the brain/mind has evolved with inhibitors to suppress this terrible existential threat so that it does arise within normal consciousness all the time, otherwise humans will be paralyzed with anxieties.

Suppression is not elimination, this impulse re death anxiety is still very strong within the subconscious mind and the existential angst oozes in various degrees that drive the majority [at present] to religions.

It basically explain the root cause of ALL religions [theistic and non-theistic].
There is definitely good in religions but my current focus and concern is on ALL evils [no exception] from religions.
For discussion sake I have limited it to the religion of Islam as a whole. Islamic terrorists [critical] is merely one aspect of evil.

I have already provided you references on the link between anxiety [existential] to religions.

Technically, theism emerged from a form of mental problem [not DSMV] where the critical consequences are the terrible evil and violent acts committed in the name of God.

Your point is too general.
Everything [99%] the brain does is striving to maintain “homeostasis”* to sustain a normal survival state. The brain/mind does that through various functions.
Anxiety is a secondary emotion [to move] i.e. to drive a person to avoid various threats to avoid premature death and thus survival.

  • I don’t think “homeostasis” is the right term because the definition is more applicable to physiologically related processes [body temperature, etc.] rather than psychological states.
    homeostasis = the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.

The above is one good example which is more serious and not petty.

Re my points, I have done the necessary research and various statistics within my means.
As for the other knowledge and principles I have read and researched on them extensively.

Note one of the most common knowledge and principle is the ‘Us versus Them’ ‘In-group versus Out-group’ concept. This concept has been researched very widely.
Note
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingroups_and_outgroups
and note

Out-group [THEM] derogation and condemnation is so common, thus I am surprised how you did not understand this point in terms of Islam [also Christianity and Judaism] condemning other religions and non-believers which is reflected very glaringly in the Quran.

Btw, I stated theism emerged from some kind of mental problem/illness [non DSMV] arising from an existential crisis. I have also stated ALL humans has this potential, therefore there are some non-theists who are also suffering from such mental problem/illness [non DSMV].

The principle of effective problem-solving is one must make an attempt to quantify all know variables.

Your problem is you are too impulsive and thus quick to reject what I am proposing.

Evilness [re evil acts] is a very significant problem within humanity.
Thus to resolve evilness effectively we need to quantify ‘evilness’.
Surely you can agree there are degrees of evilness for all the known evil acts.

Note this common view;

To differentiate the degrees,
Let say, IF genocides, mass killing, mass rapes is 90% degree of evilness.
then how would you rate the above 25 and other ‘everyday evil’.
Common rationality will determine these everyday evil acts could be rated at 1-10%.
Then we will have other evils acts of various degrees in between the above two extremes.
Agree?

It is not I have made up the above %.
Using basic thinking anyone can generate the above % as defined.

Now [assume the problem raised can be resolved] if one is faced with the two extremes and has limited resources it would be more efficient to focus one’s resources on those evilness that are rated at 90%.

So you are wrong when you insist;
“They are meaningless. Therefore, any inferences based on those percentages are meaningless.”