Two great events today for Drexel Freethinkers. Although they are at the same time, I hope to go to both of them. First we have:
Dr. Andrew Newberg – “God and the Brain”
Monday, January 23, 2012, 7:00 PM
SELECTED BY: GEORGE
1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA (map)
In lower level, Montgomery auditorium
SELECTED BY: GEORGE
Physician, educator and author Dr. Andrew Newberg will present “God and the Brain.” His presentation will discuss current knowledge about brain processes as they relate to religious and spiritual phenomena. Topics will include religious belief systems, the experience of God, and practices such as prayer and meditation. The implications of this research for both science and religion will also be presented.
Dr. Andrew Newberg is Director of Research at the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Medical College. He is also Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine. and is considered a pioneer in the neuroscientific study of religious and spiritual experiences, a field frequently referred to as – neurotheology. His work attempts to better understand the nature of religious and spiritual practices and experiences.Principles of Neurotheology
This work has been compiled into his latest book, Principles of Neurotheology, which reviews the important principles and foundations of neurotheology. Believing that it is important to keep science rigorous and religion religious, he has engaged the topic like few others. He has been fascinated by the implications of this research for the study of the mind, brain, consciousness, morality, theology, and philosophy. He has also been particularly interested in the relationship between the brain, religion, and health. His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and various trance states. He has also performed surveys of people’s spiritual experiences and attitudes. Finally, he has evaluated the relationship between religious and spiritual phenomena and health. This includes a recent study on the effect of meditation on memory.
In his career, he has also actively pursued neuroimaging research projects on the study of aging and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. He has also researched the neurophysiological correlates of acupuncture, meditation, and alternative therapies, and how brain function is associated with mystical and religious experiences. Dr. Newberg helped develop stress-management programs for the University of Pennsylvania Health Systems and received a Science and Religion Course Award from the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences for his program entitled “The Biology of Spirituality” in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania. He is currently teaching a course in the Department of Religious Studies entitled, “Science and the Sacred: An Introduction to Neurotheology.”
And then equally as wonderful, in celebration of Ben Franklins birthday:
The Curiosity of Ben Franklin: Freethought and Citizenship
Monday, January 23, 2012, 7:00 PM
SELECTED BY: MICHAEL TWEED
1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA (map)
SELECTED BY: MICHAEL TWEED
With the anniversary of Ben Franklin’s 306th birthday, the Philadelphia Ethical Society is co-hosting with the Ben Franklin Thinking Society a conversation with Roy E. Goodman, Curator of Printed Materials, Library, American Philosophical Society. Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, will hosts the dialogue, followed by questions from the audience, refreshments, and socializing.
This event is free and open to the public, so come on out and celebrate Ben’s birthday.
I hope to see as many of you out there as possible!
