MORE THAN ONE ANGLE
As we look at the perspectives presented by both science and religion, recall that each one has a way of evaluating the effectiveness of its approach to health and healing and how the mind, body, and spirit might be connected. Each one views this issue from a specific place that grants a specific perspective.
But each one also is capable of considering the perspective of the other. Scientific methods such as brain imaging can map the areas of the brain activated during the religious practices of prayer and meditation. Religious practices can demonstrate effects such as reduced stress levels and increased immunity, which can be scientifically evaluated. While there are no final answers or absolute proofs of how religious belief and science might intersect with one another, research has shown the potential of using both as tools for healing. The ability to see the other or different perspective doesn’t necessarily require that you leave behind the specific place or understanding of your perspective or what you believe. By simply changing the angle of your perspective, you can see a new dimension to the ways in which scientific and religious approaches affect the mind, body, and spirit.
But each one also is capable of considering the perspective of the other. Scientific methods such as brain imaging can map the areas of the brain activated during the religious practices of prayer and meditation. Religious practices can demonstrate effects such as reduced stress levels and increased immunity, which can be scientifically evaluated. While there are no final answers or absolute proofs of how religious belief and science might intersect with one another, research has shown the potential of using both as tools for healing. The ability to see the other or different perspective doesn’t necessarily require that you leave behind the specific place or understanding of your perspective or what you believe. By simply changing the angle of your perspective, you can see a new dimension to the ways in which scientific and religious approaches affect the mind, body, and spirit.
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Click on the link below to watch a video that gives an example of how changing the angle of your perspective can bring new dimension to what you see:
As the artist shows, the picture looks much different depending on the angle from which it’s viewed. It is important to note that the artistic effects are optical illusions, and play on the brain’s ability to work to make sense of something.
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Click on the link below to read an article on how optical illusions work: |
Despite our best efforts, what we see isn’t always what is there. It can be a matter of perspective or angle. This highlights the need to be exposed to and aware of different perspectives. If we take a rigid religious perspective like that of the family who denied medical treatment for their daughter, we risk making some very dangerous choices. If we take a rigid scientific perspective like that of a doctor who ignores the spiritual dimension of a patient’s treatment, we risk limiting the benefits of what religious belief might offer for healing, hope, and wellness. If one or the other perspective becomes dominate, the results can create negative effects. Being open to different perspectives, input, and connecting to the wider community, helps to hold us accountable for our actions.
Looking at both perspectives from different angles gives us the opportunity to explore the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, and consider how both science and religion might work together for the improvement of human life.
Looking at both perspectives from different angles gives us the opportunity to explore the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, and consider how both science and religion might work together for the improvement of human life.