Ideological Warning: This article invites you to reconsider deeply held beliefs about spirit, life, and religion through the lenses of history, language, and modern science. It challenges traditional interpretations that may be foundational to your worldview and calls for extraordinary existential bravery to face ideas that question sacred concepts. If you choose to read on, be prepared to engage thoughtfully and openly, balancing respect for faith with a curiosity about evolving understanding.
I’ve stopped debating the meaning of the word spirit. Originally, it simply meant breath—yes, really, but they did not understand what breath was back then. The Hebrew word ruach and the Greek pneuma both originally meant “breath,” “wind,” or “spirit,” and were commonly understood as the life-giving force in Hebrew Scriptures and ancient philosophy alike. Since people at the time did not know what causes the wind to blow, they often imagined winds as disembodied spirits—much like breath itself. While this may seem quaint today, it was a logical explanation given their understanding of the world.
The word ruach can be approximated in pronunciation by: roo (as in “roo” from “kangaroo”) + a soft, gutteral kh/ach sound at the end. The phrase “Holy Spirit” referred literally to the “life breath,” that mysterious yet natural force that animates living beings.
This is not a fringe interpretation or an example of science “attacking” religion, it is a historically and religiously documented fact. Hebrew Scriptures describe ruach as the vital life force, and the New Testament Greek pneuma carries similar meanings (breath, wind, spirit), reflecting its roots in physical and life-sustaining phenomena. Early thinkers like Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who had significant influence on early Christian thinkers and the development of Christian theology, linked pneuma to divine life force, blending naturalistic and spiritual understandings.
This interpretation makes perfect sense when you consider the worldview of ancient peoples, who lacked our scientific understanding of breathing. They saw air only as air—without knowledge of oxygen, carbon dioxide, or the biological processes behind it. The idea of air being made up of invisible gases would have been absurd. To them, it was self-evident that living humans breathed, so the breath was naturally seen as the vital force that distinguished life from death.
Science challenges ancient beliefs
Modern science, however, decisively disproves this ancient notion. The primary function of breathing is gas exchange—bringing oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide. Yet we now know that life can be maintained even when natural breathing stops. For example, during lung transplants, patients are kept alive using mechanical ventilation and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). ECMO is a medical treatment where blood is pumped outside the body to an artificial lung (a membrane oxygenator) that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, allowing the heart and lungs to rest and heal while sustaining life. Because ECMO provides complete gas exchange externally, the patient’s natural breathing (chest movements) can be minimal or even stopped without causing death.
This remarkable technology shows us conclusively that natural breathing itself is not the essence of life.
Moving beyond ancient misunderstandings
Long ago, people understandably had limited knowledge and made many assumptions that we now see differently. The important question is whether we can acknowledge this and be open to moving forward, rather than holding tightly to beliefs formed thousands of years ago. Today, some people may not fully realize how the original meanings of cherished sacred words have evolved over time. For example, the term “Holy Spirit” originally meant “life breath”—the natural, physical force that sustains life.
The term “Holy Spirit” in Hebrew is originally expressed as “Ruach HaKodesh” (רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ), which literally means “Holy Breath” or “Holy Wind”. This word conveys the idea of the life-giving, animating force or presence of God.
Over centuries, as scientific discoveries reshaped our understanding of the natural world, this straightforward concept was forced to grow into a more complex spiritual idea. As scientific knowledge advanced—discoveries of oxygen and other gases critical for respiration, understanding that wind results from differences in atmospheric pressure, and the mechanics of airflow—these natural phenomena became explainable in physical, measurable terms. This demystified the direct literal interpretation of “breath” or “wind” as a spiritual entity and forced the concept of the Holy Spirit to grow into a more complex and abstract theological idea, divorcing it from solely natural phenomena.
What began as a simple idea about breath animating life has developed into an elaborate and sometimes confusing spiritual abstraction, revealing how far removed some are from the clear, simple roots of language and reality. Recognizing this evolution can help us appreciate both the origins and the ways that faith and knowledge have interacted through history, opening the door to clearer understanding and dialogue.
The sense of self and spiritual experiences
Another source of confusion comes from our sense of being a “self”—the inner experience often equated with the spirit, soul, or the “you” behind your thoughts and perceptions. Beyond this, many people report experiences that feel as if they come from a powerful force outside of their own mental sense of self — moments of spirituality or connection to something greater.
Modern neuroscience has studied what happens in the brain during these states. Scientists have identified specific brain regions responsible for creating our sense of self and body awareness, helping us recognize who we are and where we exist in space.
For instance, the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is a brain area that helps create the feeling of being inside one’s own body. When surgeons gently stimulate this area, some people temporarily feel as if they are floating outside themselves. This demonstrates how the brain can generate even unusual or mystical experiences.
Other brain areas keep us aware of our identity and connected to the world. When these areas are damaged or diseased, people often feel confused or disconnected from themselves and others.
The brain as the foundation of spiritual experience
Scientists now understand that all our feelings, thoughts, and spiritual experiences arise from brain activity. There is no need to invoke invisible, magical sensations (sometimes called “qualia”); rather, these experiences reflect the brain’s complex signaling and processing.
The word “spirit” often refers to the many functions of the brain that make us unique—our thoughts, emotions, and awareness. Some people believe the spirit is more than the brain, while others see it as a product of it. Both perspectives carry meaning depending on individual beliefs.
Though science has yet to create a brain or machine with consciousness, there is mounting evidence that our rich, subjective experiences emerge solely from how the brain works.
Celebrating being human
In short, who we are—our feelings, memories, and moments of meaning—results from our brain’s activity. And that is amazing in its own right! Of course, living a full life requires more than a brain: it needs connection, kindness, creativity, and purpose. But understanding the brain helps us appreciate the incredible foundation for all these experiences. It reminds us that the wonder of being human is rooted both in biology and in the meaningful ways we choose to live.
Respecting different perspectives
Many people find profound meaning, comfort, and community in their faith. Correcting their assumptions bluntly or too early can feel threatening or dismissive, potentially causing resistance or harm. Sometimes, people need to explore questions gradually and in safe spaces, where curiosity is respected.
Many find comfort, community, and meaning in religion. To live well together, it is important to respect these beliefs and share new ideas with kindness and openness—without forcing them. With goodwill and focus on our common humanity, everyone can learn and grow.
Science and spirit: complement, not conflict
Some people want to explore spirit but hesitate to consider the brain, fearing science might reduce something sacred to mere biology. Instead, they prefer to understand spirituality through tradition, feelings, and personal experience. In much the same way, many don’t need to understand how a car’s engine works to rely on it for transportation—they just focus on where they want to go.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy gas exchange, it is important to know that caring for your spirit need not conflict with understanding the brain. The brain is a marvelous tool that allows the full self—the spirit—to grow and express itself. Even without detailed scientific knowledge, practices like mindfulness, kindness, creativity, and connection nurture both brain and spirit.
For those unsure or uneasy about brain science, starting with feelings, values, and relationships can help. Over time, curiosity may grow about how the brain supports the very experiences that matter most—without fear or resistance.
Engaging the Disinterested: The Challenge of Science Conversations
Some “false assumptions” in faith are intertwined with metaphor, symbolism, and subjective experience, which aren’t easily replaced by purely factual corrections. Faith often addresses why we live, what gives life meaning—questions that don’t always correspond neatly to scientific or historical facts. Truth in this broader sense isn’t always purely about factual accuracy.
When done with kindness and humility, gently challenging assumptions can lead to deeper reflection and growth. This approach encourages exploration rather than confrontation, helping people to reconcile faith with evidence, or at least to better understand each other’s views.
People vary in how open they are to revising deeply held beliefs. Pushing truth before someone is ready can backfire. It often helps to meet people “where they are,” starting with shared values or experiences before addressing assumptions.
Correcting false assumptions can be important, especially when those assumptions cause harm or limit understanding. But the way correction happens matters—it is most effective when it preserves respect, empathy, and trust.
Respecting people means valuing them as whole individuals, not necessarily accepting their views as true. You can be direct and honest without being dismissive or hostile. Clear, firm communication—delivered with care—can show respect more genuinely than vague softness that feels like evasion.
The goal is not just to be “right” but to encourage growth and understanding. You can be firm and straightforward, and still invite dialogue rather than shut it down. That builds trust, which actually supports more honest exchanges over time.
Separating True Disinterest from Social Pressure
For many people, social identity and belonging to a community—whether it’s spiritual, cultural, or social—are deeply important. When scientific facts challenge the core beliefs or assumptions upheld by their community, individuals may fear social rejection, isolation, or conflict if they question or deviate from those views. This can lead some to avoid engaging with science not because of intellectual disinterest per se, but because of the emotional and social risks involved.
Spirit and the Brain Coexist
In the end, caring for your spirit (whole self) can inspire caring for your brain. When spirit and brain work together, they create a rich and meaningful inner life.