> From: Dan Minette <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> 
> From: "The Fool"> 

> > > From: Dan Minette <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >
> > >
> > > From: "The Fool"
> > >
> > > > Another study showed that high levels of religios belief was
highly
> > > > correlated with high levels of receptor for dopamine in
specific
> > brain
> > > > regions.
> > >
> > > > Which just so happens to fit very well with all the other
> > correlations
> > > > regarding religious belief and this:
> > >
> > > Uh-huh, right.  Tell me, do cigarette smokers, alcoholics and
other
> > addicts
> > > have better health and longer life than non-addicts or worse
health
> > and
> > > shorter lives?  Is there a correlation between future health and
> > longevity
> > > and church attendance?  Which way would you expect it to be if
your
> > > hypothesis is right?  Which way is it?
> > >
> > > A good empiricist looks to cross check a hypothesis with similar
> > data,
> > > (s)he doesn't cherry pick data that agrees with what is known a
> > priora.
> >
> > You've created a false dicotomy.  Not all addicts are addicted to
the
> > same thing.
> 
> If you look at the DSM-IV discussion alcoholism and other forms of
> addictions, it may help you understand what is and what is not an
> addiction. Something is not an addiction because you call it an
addiction.

The Second false dicotomy you present is one in which people who have
those kinds of adictions are are supposedly less likely to go to church
which is what you imply, and is clearly false.  Not all adicts exhibit
the same level of addiction, some addicts are addicted to muple things
and addictions clearly do have a basis in number of brain receptors for
dopamine, seratonin, acylcholine and others.

Also as a correction: Serotonin:
<<http://www.maps.org/forum/2003/msg00589.html>>
<<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&l
ist_uids=14594742&dopt=Abstract>>
<<http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/160/11/1965>>

CONCLUSIONS: This finding in normal male subjects indicated that the
serotonin system may serve as a biological basis for spiritual
experiences. The authors speculated that the several-fold variability
in 5-HT1A receptor density may explain why people vary greatly in
spiritual zeal. 

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