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Replying to post 1 by RedEye]
We all know the story of St. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Most Christians accept this story as being a true vision or encounter with a celestial Jesus. But was it? What if it was only a manifestation of a medical condition? At least one researcher in Neuropsychology thinks that this could be the case:
While it is possible, the theory also has to involve the idea that ALL metaphysical experiences are simply some form of brain illness, which is a convenient end-game explanation which would require far more study before it can be shown to be conclusive, if that were even possible to achieve.
Many atheists already believe that this is the explanation...'the brain did it' and argue from that convenient position.
In old Ireland, epilepsy was known as "Saint Paul's disease". The name points to the centuries-old assumption that the apostle suffered from epilepsy. So Christians themselves came to this conclusion based on hints in the epistles:
Old Ireland had its fair share of stories to tell. Assuming an elaborate truth from a few hints isn't the greatest practice to adopt.
We are not privy to what Paul thinks of as his weakness, but I would argue that it wouldn't have had anything to do with his vision on the road to Damascus, because
IF it were the product of epilepsy and this was what Paul wanted the Lord to heal Paul's suffering from,
THEN why would something which caused Paul such a change in direction be referred to as 'weaknesses'.
Given what we know about Paul's aversion to sexuality, I would say it is more likely he may have been referring to sexual weakness as one of more than a few weaknesses...he often wrote and preached about the weakness of the human flesh device.
He may write that he will "boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" but wherein his writing does he do so? Not a big reader of Paul, he may well have done...a quick Google does not give anything other than the mentioning of it in the same quote you provided from the letter to the Corinthians.
Paul tells us that he has some despised physical affliction but doesn't name it. This is perhaps through shame because in ancient times people used to spit at epileptics, either out of disgust or in order to ward off what they thought to be the "contagious matter" (epilepsy as 'morbus insputatus': the illness at which one spits).
Given the type of character Paul was, it is doubtful his followers openly confronted him. Many Christians seem impressed with him and his apparent self-depreciation in obsessing on how unimpressive he was may be a case of false humility which many preachers use as a public front. Other writings of Paul can give the reader an impression that he possibly thought highly of himself.
One can argue that he counsels
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you."
It is great advice, and Paul shared many words which I consider to being great advice. The problem with any great advice (be it from Paul, or Jesus, or any other biblical character - or non-biblical character for that matter) is
1: When the individuals do not take their own advice and act contrary to it, and
2:when individuals place such impressive personalities upon pedestals and practice idolatry. In doing so they take the onus of personal responsibility away from themselves, and simply end up 'playing church', in the variety of ways in which playing church unfolds through group dynamics.
This description has all the hallmarks of a temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) episode. Paul's sudden fall, the fact that he first lay motionless on the ground but was then able to get up unaided, led people very early on to suspect that this dramatic incident might have been caused by a grand mal seizure. In more recent times, this opinion has found support from the fact that sight impediment - including temporary blindness lasting from several hours to several days - has been observed as being a symptom or result of an epileptic seizure and has been mentioned in many case reports. Having visions of a religious nature are not uncommon in TLE episodes.
It may well be the case, but therein is the interesting thing. What are these common 'visions of a religious nature' and why are they religious in content?
One understands simply through a quick Google that people declare a similar understanding "That Religious Experience
May Just Be an Epileptic Seizure ..." but have no deep understanding as to what exactly IS an 'Epileptic Seizure' other than it is 'just a brain malfunction' - a conveniently shallow answer at best, because of this lack of knowledge.
One thing that does set aside the theory of this having been the case is that those travelling with Paul heard the sounds - but did not see anyone, which is not something which is reported from those who witness people who have TLE's and accompanying audial visions. We can of course then say that Paul added that bit to the story, and if these witnesses heard anything, we have no independent sources to corroborate Paul's version.
2 Corinthians 12
1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
Obviously Paul is talking about himself here (but trying to be humble).
While of course this can be inferred, there seems no reason why one has to think that is the case.
Paul might very well be actually writing about this man.
I think it is important not to draw conclusions based upon what little we know about TLE's, by assigning such into the materialist 'case solve' basket. There is far more than meets the eye in regard to such experiences as NDE's OOBE's, Astral Projection etc, which are all metaphysical and 'brain malfunction' may well be the case, but not in the way a materialist might understand it...as being some kind of 'illness'... but more a case of the normal function of a human brain is to prevent people from easily experiencing alternate realities which do actually exist. People aften accidently experience the malfunction, but also people can actually train their brains to function in that manner - to bypass the normal inhibitors - in order to experience the metaphysical as a reality.
We simply do not know enough to make a call either way though - of course - we are free to do so if we choose, as unwise as that would be to do so.
The major point of any religious/spiritual experience which causes such tremendous ripple effect (not all negative - contrary to some arguments) is that it shapes the world in BOTH good and bad ways, depending upon how the
followers choose to apply the teachings - and most opt to make idols of the teachers which effectively renders the teachings subject to distortion and thus, largely impotent.
I agree that Paul started something which evolved into what is now known as Christianity, but the direction of Christendom was shaped by those who have come along well after Paul departed the scene and - like Paul interpreting Jesus, so too was Paul interpreted in a likewise manner...Paul appears to have idolized Jesus and many Christians likewise do the same with both Jesus and Paul.
One can observe in most churches that Jesus is preached for the purpose of enticing guilt and Paul is preached for the purpose of indoctrination.
The bible (from where we get the information) was and still is one of the greatest political devices ever created, but therein spiritual inspiration can be found through bypassing the political inhibitors.
Human consciousness appears by and large to need the 'why' answers which metaphysics attempts to provide - that go beyond the 'how' answers - which are more easily obtained - but even so, neither are handed to us on a silver platter. Both require great effort to obtain in genuine ways.
It is difficult to imagine the world would be much different or somehow better without the metaphysical presence within the human psyche. Some really believe that materialism is the answer to all the worlds problems, because they believe that all the worlds problems are sourced in metaphysical beliefs.
Until science can be used to prolong human life indefinitely, the prominence of metaphysical thinking as a valid aspect of human consciousness, is here to stay.
