©Arlene R. Taylor PhD
Much of the time, controversy and argument, when they exist, simply involve perception differences among brains. Because of differences between unique brains, discussions often escalate into foolish argument and meaningless controversy. Unfortunately, some believe that talking louder, faster, and longer, will induce the other brain to perceive the information being discussed in the same way. This phenomenon can be observed frequently in discussions related to politics and/or religion.
Although I have relied heavily on brain function research, a plethora of studies, and discussions with brain researchers and other experts, the summaries represent my own brain’s opinion. There will be some who do not agree with my opinions and perceptions. In those cases I suggest they study the research for themselves and come to their own conclusions.
A decision to attend or not to attend religious services, or the regularity with which one does attend, can be developed through expectation and exposure. In adulthood, however, personal preference can be impacted by brain bent, especially related to whether one’s biochemical energy advantage falls in the left hemisphere or the right hemisphere.
Generally most religious services can fit into one of two broad styles, although there are exceptions. Even those exceptions can often be identified in terms of appeal to individuals with a preference for left-hemisphere activities or right-hemisphere activities.
Following are examples of two common styles of religious services.
Left Cerebral Hemisphere If they choose to attend religious services, individuals with a brain bent in one of the two left-hemisphere divisions tend to gravitate toward traditional-style services
They may choose to attend this style of worship service in order to:
| Right Cerebral Hemisphere If they choose to attend religious services, individuals with a brain bent in one of the two right-hemisphere divisions tend to gravitate toward celebration-style services
They may choose to attend this style of service in order to:
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Whole-Brained Services
Theoretically, it should be possible to craft a religious service style that contained components appealing to attendees—regardless of their innate preferences.
In actuality, this is difficult to do. Left-brainers wouldn’t be caught dead in a typical celebration-style service; right-brainers find it difficult to sustain attendance at a service that is typically traditional in style.
People have sometimes asked about brain bent and the Four Gospels (as found in Scripture). My brain’s opinion is that each author had a different brain bent. Consequently, an individual reader might find one of those Gospels more comfortable or familiar to his/her brain. If, in fact, each author wrote based on his brain bent, it is possible that readers might relate more to a specific gospel’s language if the readers had the same brain bent as the author.
Note that this is, of course, conjecture. Some researchers think Luke is more associated with the Harmonizing division because ‘physicians during ancient times were Shamans.’ I’ve gone back and forth in terms of my brain’s opinion. Below you’ll find my brain’s current opinion (smile). Read the Gospels and come to your own conclusions.
I’ve also includes a guesstimate of potential brain bent for several groups that were operational in Biblical times.
Prioritizing Division
| Envisioning Division
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Maintaining Division
| Harmonizing Division
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According to author Joe Tannenbaum in his book, Male and Female Realities, there are differences in the way men and women relate to spirituality and religion. Following are some examples.
Relating to the World
| Female Brains | Male Brains |
Can relate to the world via physical or intellectual modes but they can also relate directly through emotions and feelings without having to translate into either the physical or intellectual modes. If they speak directly from a feelings mode, the males may misread or misunderstand what the females are saying because, typically, males avoid venturing into the more nebulous realms of feelings. While they can translate spiritual information into physical and intellectual modes, they can also respond through direct feeling states that are outside physical language and intellectual definition. They can experience a spiritual relationship with a Higher Power directly through emotions and feelings without having to translate it into either physical or intellectual modes. When discussing spirituality or religion, are usually expected to respond from either a physical or intellectual mode, at least by their male counterparts. | Tend to relate to the world primarily through a physical mode (e.g., objects that are perceived through the five senses) or an intellectual mode (e.g., thinking, imagining, attitudes, viewpoint, inventing). Tend to translate spiritual information either into a physical mode (e.g., building cathedrals, creating statues or art work, designing flags or icons or other symbolic objects) or into an intellectual mode (e.g., dogma, rituals, philosophy, doctrine, rules, regulations). Generally assume that females also speak from a physical or intellectual mode, as well, even when they are discussing topics involving spiritual or religious issues.
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Studies by Dr. Donald Joy of Asbury Theological Seminar showed that girls tend to be influenced more strongly by what they learn through attendance at religious services (e.g., Sunday School, Sabbath School) while boys were more influenced by what actually went on in the home, specifically the congruence between stated beliefs versus observed behaviors.
In terms of being drawn to affiliation with religion, Dr. Donald Joy reported that males were more likely to be drawn to religious affiliation through stories and parables processed in the right hemisphere. Males are more likely to fall asleep in church, especially when sermons are presented in a typical left-brained style. Females tended to be drawn to religious affiliation through doctrinal presentations processed in the left hemisphere. Thus, even though they may enjoy stories/parables, they may find left-brained sermons more tolerable.
Females tend to attend religious services more regularly (e.g., two-thirds of the average church congregation in the U.S.A. are female). They are often more experience-oriented and more emotional in terms of their religious activities. They are more likely to attend church for the experience of worshiping with friends.
Females may find it more difficult to pursue activities recommended by religious leaders, such as specific reading quotas, even when these are purported to assist them in developing a relationship with a Higher Power.
Males typically attend religious services less regularly (e.g., special occasions, when in charge, to achieve a goal). Males are usually more goal-oriented in terms of religious activities. They can accomplish a goal by attending a service, or by reading a sacred/religious book. With their goal-completion orientation, however, males may lose sight of the importance of enjoying the experience of worship, or may fail to develop a spiritual connection with a Higher Power.
Individuals may approach meditation or prayer (a form of meditation) or contemplation differently based on brain bent. Their their position on the Extroversion-Ambiversion-Introversion Continuum will likely impact this as well. Studies have shown that individuals often engage in meditation, prayer, or contemplation regardless of any affiliation with established religion.
Remember that medication, contemplation, or prayers can increase brain and heart health. That’s because studies have shown the heart beats more slower during breath exhalation. Therefore, paying attention to your breathing and extended exhalations, breathing out slowly, can slow your heart rate and calm your body. It has also been shown as a way to reduce anxiety.
These following examples include Extroversion and Introversion (Ambiversion would fall somewhere between the two extremes).
Prioritizing Division | Envisioning Division
|
Individuals with a brain bent in this division:
| Individuals with a brain bent in division:
|
Maintaining Division | Harmonizing Division |
Individuals with a brain bent in this division:
| Individuals with a brain bent in this division:
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Individuals may approach meditation or prayer (a form of meditation) very differently based on brain bent and on their position on the Extraversion-Ambiversion-Introversion Continuum. Studies have shown that individuals often engage in meditation/prayers regardless of any affiliation with established religion.
These following examples include Extraversion and Introversion (Ambiversion would fall somewhere between the two extremes).
Left Frontal Lobe | Right Frontal Lobe
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Individuals with a lead in this cerebral mode or division:
| Individuals with a lead in this cerebral mode or division:
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Left Posterior Lobes | Right Posterior Lobes |
Individuals with a lead in this cerebral mode or division:
| Individuals with a lead in this cerebral mode or division:
|
Many religious and/or spiritual groups include the concept of spiritual gifts (so called) in their tradition. Some spiritual gifts are outlined in the Holy Bible (1st Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1st Peter 4), while others are included in specific writings espoused or recognized by various religious and/or spiritual groups.
This summary reflects input from conversations with a variety of individuals.
Prioritizing Division Left Frontal Lobe | Envisioning Division Right Frontal Lobe |
Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:
| Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:
|
Maintaining Division Left Posterior Lobes | Harmonizing Division Right Posterior Lobes |
Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:
| Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:
|
It is also recognized that some clerics teach that a spiritual gift may be “bestowed” upon an individual because of a need in a specific situation regardless of the individual’s innate giftedness.
* Some have theorized that each cerebral division houses its own wisdom potential, which can increase with maturity, skill development, and overall integration of brain function (e.g., intuitive flashes of wisdom that is often associated with functions of the Envisioning Division). This is believed to differ from “King Solomon’s wisdom,” so called, which is typically associated with functions of the Prioritizing Division with it’s inductive-deductive reasoning style.
In general, mainline corporate religious worship styles can be categorized into one or two broad groupings: services that emphasize and appeal to functions of the left hemisphere, and those that emphasize and appeal to functions of the right hemisphere.
Within those broad groupings there can be infinite variety in terms of emphasis, permitted behaviors, perceived rewards / punishments, and interpretation of theology and church dogma.
Note: it is readily acknowledged that many individuals prefer a personal and private worship style and do not attend corporate religious services. Personal and private styles may be as unique as the individuals involved. They may lean toward the type of activities represented by one or the other of typical corporate styles.
Following is a brief comparison of some characteristics of two broad groups of corporate religious worship styles.
Left Cerebral Hemisphere
| Right Cerebral Hemisphere
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