Episode 114: This Is Your Brain On Church—a Conversation with Jill Evans Opdahl
Language is powerful. The words and phrases we use repetitively in church create well-worn pathways in our brains. Each time we think in a certain way, practice a certain task, or feel a certain emotion we strengthen and grow that pathway, making it easier for our subconscious to find again and again. Whether it’s hearing male pronouns associated with deity or studying scriptural records written by and about men, without conscious effort there’s a good chance we’re reinforcing ideas about gender roles every time we sit through a lesson, hear a talk, or sing a hymn. In this conversation, Jill Evans Opdahl joins Cynthia and Susan to talk about the implications of “our brains on church,” and consider the challenges and rewards of adding new pathways to our old ways of thinking.
Notes & Quotes:
Find more info on neuroplasticity in this video: Neuroplasticity
Connect with Jill Evans Opdahl:
Instagram: @thefeminine.divine
“Language is such a power concept because it has the ability to completely shape one’s personal identity.The usage of words and phrases significantly impacts individuals thoughts and character/personal identity.” —Ron Sheffield
“If God is male, the male is God.” —Mary Daly