Well, the feeling of having had a revelation about the universe is common to two mindstates: schizophrenia, and being high on pot. If you're just high, you're usually sane again after it wears off. If you weren't even high to begin with, and you have the distinct impression you've gotten priority info from the cosmos, you're loony.
True revelations are based on science, not emotions. If you have ever truly thought you've "gotten a sign", it's just your dopamine system over-recognizing patterns. I like to use the blade of grass/golf metaphor: from the perspective of a blade of grass on a golf fairway, if that blade of grass (which for the purposes of this metaphor is conscious) had a golf ball land on it, it would think, "Wow! Of all the blades here, that ball just came out of the blue and landed on me! I must be special!" In reality, of course, the golf ball was going to land on a blade of grass.
I know this may paint me as prejudiced, but if you've had a "revelation" that lead to you becoming involved with a particular religion, you're just as insane as a schizophrenic. The only difference between religious fanatics and schizophrenics is that schizos have personal delusions, whilst religious people share theirs with others.
Oh, and please don't take this as an attack on anyone if you happen to have gone through an experience like this. One of my best friends has schizophrenia and I don't hold it against him.
_________________
"I tell you the truth when I say that whoever seeks will find, and the finding will cause him to seek, but in the seeking is hidden the meaning of Life."
-Jesus Christ
Not a Christian, just a thinker.
06 Jan 2010, 12:08 am
