Phil, this is an awesome thread, and I will jump right in here as soon as I grade a buttload of dumbass term papers!
I have some good brain trivia if anyone is interested!
Regarding the "god helmet", I saw Shermer's segment on it, and I think he was super nice to Persinger, because the guy came off as somewhat flaky. It would be CAKE to do this as randomized, double blind placebo controlled true experiment design, so why hasn't he done it?
Hmmmm... maybe it doesn't work that way..... sort of like.......homeopathy, perhaps???
I think this guy (from the Wiki refs) has some good points!
timboucher
Do you think god really wears a helmet ? Like the kids on the short bus?