Part 4/9:
There lies a persistent dichotomy between scientific materialism and religious or spiritual perspectives. Kripal illuminates how both scientists and religious believers may dismiss experiences that do not align with their respective worldviews. The materialist may label such phenomena as pseudoscience, while religious adherents might categorize them as demonic or heretical. This conflict illustrates a deeper fear: the fear of the unknown, of surrendering the comforting control of established understanding. This discomfort breeds a society less inclined to explore the vast possibilities of human capabilities, especially those tied to extrasensory perception.