Fear and Faith Is it all in the mind ?

[modeller]

Did you watch Fear and Faith Frid. 16th Channel 4 9pm ? That will give you the answers to many of our recent questions.

It's on again tonight on Channel 4/7 Freeview 47

[Stargazer]

Yes, I did and I wonder why nobody has replted to this. I would be interested to discuss what happened.

[bestdriver]

Thanks for info. I did not notice that this was on last night, but I will surely watch the repeat tonight. Thanks modeller

[modeller]

You will enjoy it . I found it fascinating. Will discuss when you have seen it.

[modeller]

This may be useful
http://www.channel4.com/tv-listings

[LazyGun]

I will have to watch - missed it first time around. Derren Browns shows are often very educational .

[naomi24]

I've recorded it and will watch it tomorrow if I have time.

[naomi24]

I watched it. It never ceases to amaze me that although people are well aware of what he does, they nevertheless fall for his tricks. I don't agree with him that we all have an inbuilt susceptibility to religion - sorry, I can't remember his exact words, but something like that. All of us at some time have been exposed to religion in one form or another - I wonder what would happen if we hadn't been?

[modeller]

I think he may be right because the more primitive a society is , the more they look for supernatural explanations. If you look at the Amazon tribes as an example , they are steeped in religious beliefs. They see spirits everywhere. Similarly in Haiti , Bornio ,parts of SE Asia, and Africa , Spirit worship , Voodoo , Sorcery, and Black Magic is widely practiced.
Historical and archaeological evidence also supports this belief ,stone age and bronze age people practiced religious rituals .
It is only as societies evolve that this fundemental need for the supernatural diminishes.

[naomi24]

I could see where he was coming from with his explanation of the creation of a supernatural someone who is reputed to watch every move that people make, thereby allegedly having the effect of keeping them on the 'straight and narrow', but I imagine that began as more of a social requirement. I really don't believe that a propensity to religion is innate as he claimed. Unfortunately, since everyone has been exposed to religion at some time in their lives, his hypothesis can never be tested.

[modeller]

We know that 'fear' is innate it is necessary for survival . You can see it in babies and toddlers and where the cause of the fear is not identified we look for comfort or invent an explanation. The point is we seek/need explanations for everything we don't understand. That's where the supernatural and religion fills the gap.

[naomi24]

I agree with you entirely. Perhaps that's why he's often called 'The God of the Gaps'. ;o)

[modeller]

What I found of most interest was the fact that when our normal senses fail to understand a situation our mind seeks and creates a supernatural explanation.

If however our senses are then given suggestions they are the ones most likely to be created in the mind.

[naomi24]

Hi Modeller, I've just been thinking about this and I’m pleased you came back. Did you understand what happened to Natalie when she stood up? She seems to be a rational person – a scientist working on stem cell research. If I were in her position I can't imagine sitting there with him without constantly reminding myself that he manipulates the psyche. Would I fall for it? I can’t believe I would. What happened to her that she wasn't able to react to rationally? What did she actually experience?