Does the Christian relationship with "God" stimulate the same parts of the brain that are stimulated in S&M ?

Question

Could it be thought of as a Sado-Masochistic relationship?

Answer 1

I hope so. Imagine the look on a fundies face when they turn up to heaven and see lots of leather and chains! o.0

Answer 2

Of course it is that's why they have a problem with willy's

Answer 3

Somehow I think you would know better than me.

Answer 4

Well dopamine will be released as part of our natural reward system for both S &M and religion...

Answer 5

According to some believers (my grandma) S&M means being a good person.

According to me, S%M means being a sick person that needs to be healed as soon as possible.

[edit]: Oh, by the way, the original sin is pretty much an S&M thing since it's something to take as an excuse to feel inferior and guilty. Without it the whole thing doesn't make sense.

[edit]:Wait, you didn't mean S&M as in a sexual intercourse, did you? I wasn't talking about s*x. I was referring to sadism and masochism in general.

Answer 6

Karl Marx interpretation of religion was the same effective indulgence as if taking opium allowing hallucinogenic and narcotic fantasies for poor people who believe that the afterlife will be paved with milk and honey instead of the hardships suffering under the capitalist system of control during their life time on this planet.

Answer 7

I would think (no evidence other than personal experience here, admittedly) that no. Submitting to god vs. submitting to a sexual partner (I'm assuming you're referring to the whole "submit to god" thing) would be different as you would be trying to satisfy a different need. In submitting to a god (or God as the case is with Christians), you would be searching for a meaning in life, and turning to a way many people bank on. It would be satisfying the same need for greater understanding as, I think, a scientist is satisfying when trying to search out and better understand his field. Thus, you would be searching for something to try to better understand the world around you in your own way. (Note: using "you" to refer to a person searching for religion simply for the sake of argument). Whereas, in an S&M relationship, from a submissive's perspective, you would be attempting to satisfy a need, sexual or otherwise, to give up control to another person. It sounds similar (submitting to another, giving up control, having trust enough to completely open yourself to another being), but I would think the part of the brain stimulated by submitting to a person vs. submitting to a being you believe to be omniscient and the being who created all things would be different.

Then again, the brain is a funny thing. It's harder to say for sure how the brain works in a given situation vs. any other organ in the human body. It is conceivable in my eyes (no evidence, so take with a grain of salt, please) that for a certain personality type and body chemistry, one could be similar to the other. But in most people, I doubt it.

Answer 8

I suppose.

Living in guilt of sinning all life is a form of torture

Answer 9

LOL, no.  Have you ever engaged in BDSM?  I have, and it's completely different from how I feel about God.

Edit:  Am I missing something here?  Does being an atheist mean that you (not you, the asker, but atheists in general) know me better than I do?

I do not live in guilt.  I do not live in fear.  I HAVE no fear, nor do I have guilt.  I know that I'm human, and I make mistakes, but I don't have to worry about God taking a riding crop to my butt.  All I have to do is say I'm sorry, and mean it.

My relationship with God through Jesus Christ is COMPLETELY different from S&M.  They can't even be compared.  Sexual pleasure is completely different from emotional contentment.  Even a moron could see that.

But why is this directed to only Christians, anyway?  Christians aren't the only theists.

Answer 10

Oh gods... if only.

Answer 11

Fabulous question!

It sure seems that way doesn't it?

Example scenario:

God: "Do this now!"

Man: "No, I won't"

God: "Don't make me come down there! Do you want me to punish you?"

Man: "Ooh you would like that wouldn't you?...Big Daddy"

God: "You are a naughty boy"

Man: "Yes! Yes! Punish me God, I need to be taught a lesson, I am such a bad sinner boy"