ByNaomi Firsht, Naomi Firsht
Psychologists will try to alter the spiritual beliefs of people taking part in a new study carried out at Coventry University.
The "Belief lab" project will examine the psychology of religion by asking 90 people to answer questionnaires and carry out tasks.
According to Belief lab director Dr Miguel Farias, previous studies have shown that religious faith stems from the part of the brain associated with intuitive reactions rather than analytical thinking.
Researchers are looking for 30 atheists or agnostics, 30 people holding spiritual beliefs and 30 people who hold specific religious beliefs, such as Christianity or Judaism.
Mild electric currents will be used to stimulate the analytical part of their brain to see if it changes the way they answer the questions and perform the tasks.
"We expect to see that it is possible to modify spiritual and religious ideas with brain stimulation," said Dr Farias.