I know this sounds ridiculous, but I think listening to Joe Rogan opened me up to considering religion. Many of you probably do not know Joe's philosophy and beliefs, but lets just say that he is generally anti-religion. That is the reason I started listening to him. This post will give you an insight into one of only rational reasons (I admit there were irrational reasons and reasons I cannot explain) I went from an agnostic atheist closed to discussions about God to an agnostic atheist open to discussions about God.
Joe does not say that religion is absolutely wrong, but he simply finds that it is ridiculous that people think they know what life is about. I infer that Joe thinks religion can do great things, but it can also do horrible things. He believes people need to stop saying they know what life is about and accept that we should be good, positive people because in some weird way we are all connected.
He is very open to spiritual debate. He is actually very open to any rational discussion. I really respect this quality about people. It is so relaxing, and I feel I can be completely open with these people. Unfortunately, these type of people have a very difficult time accepting Christ. They are agnostic about almost everything except for what can be proven rationally or scientifically.
I would like to expand on this 'connectedness' of us. Here is a quote about being inspired, being creative, and having positive relationships with people from one of his podcasts: "I think it is all part of one big, giant thing. I think it is very hard for us to see because we have egos and all these natural instincts in place to ensure we keep doing what we're doing, but I think all together it is part of something giant. We just can't see it."
The second major topic Joe is very big on is the positive benefits of drugs. I know many people discount Joe for this reason, and I can understand if you do too. If you can get past that, then I will attempt to summarize the part that has most interested me.
There is a chemical that is produced in your pineal gland called DMT. Your body gives you heavy doses of DMT in REM sleep and when you die. DMT is the reason you dream and people have visions near death. I haven't read too much scientific literature about DMT or the pineal gland, but it seems to be not well understood why our body needs this. It seems to be important as it is located in the center of our brain. This gland has several hormonal functions in the body as well.
*This information comes mostly from Joe Rogan and one scientific source that does not appear to have been confirmed in the scientific community. It has not been proven that DMT is produced in the pineal gland. It is simply a hypothesis. I'm not sure why it hasn't been researched further.*
There has been some conjecture that the pineal gland connects our body and soul. This is what interested me. Joe takes DMT as a psychedelic. He states that it is the strongest psychedelic you can take (which is interesting that we are effectively taking a heavy does every night). From what I heard, I became increasingly convinced that we may truly have a soul and that there might be something greater to life.
There may be dimensions around us that we simply do not have the capability of sensing. Maybe DMT can connect us to these dimensions. Maybe it gives us a glimpse. If it is, then it is interesting that our body seems to erase these memories quickly as I'm sure most of you know from dreaming (Joe finds the same problem with taking DMT). Like we aren't suppose to be getting this glimpse. Maybe these experiences are simply random dreams/visions. If so, I still believe it may be a sign of our body desiring something abstract that we can't really grasp. I know dreams can seem very random sometimes, but every once in awhile a dream will tell you something you never considered or be very, very abstract.
So, my only rational reasons for considering any religion were: (1) this strange connectedness all humans have with one another that I cannot really explain. You may say evolutionary psychology explains this, which may be true to a degree. The beauty and intricacy of this connection leads me to believe that even if it was caused by evolutionary psychology, then God inspired this evolution in our creation. And (2) the very real possibility that there is something more out there that we as humans simply cannot sense or comprehend.
I just realized this when I stumbled on one of his rants on youtube. I do not agree with many of his spiritual/religious opinions nor wonder about DMT now, but I respect this guy for seeking the truth for himself. I believe his thoughts are in the right direction about materialism, loving others by perpetuating positive energy, avoiding the traps of individualism, and finding what inspires you, so I would like to thank Joe Rogan to opening my mind to some of life's great mysteries.