Louisville Process Theology Network

We are Believing Machines

“Interneurons and neurotransmitters strengthen connections when we use them, and connections that are not used ultimately weaken.

When we have an emotion or a thought that we focus on, the neural connections that support that belief strengthen. ·  In fact, if it is true that the simultaneous fi ring of neurons leads to increased connections between those neurons, then the more we get a few neurons to fi re together, the stronger the belief becomes.

Repetition is, therefore, an essential element for forming and strengthening beliefs. ·  However, are there religious or spiritual activities that are repetitive? In fact, almost all religious rituals and practices are repetitive. This is why meditation and rituals work so well; they are very repetitious. ·  

To strengthen beliefs, it is important to tie beliefs to useful information and behaviors, emotionally support the beliefs that we hold, and reject beliefs that contradict those that we hold. ·  These processes are true for all beliefs—including religious, social, political, and scientific beliefs—

so the brain is a believing machine.”

See also “The Believing Brain” by Michael Shermer