The amygdala is an almond shaped cluster within the limbic system of the brain. The amygdala is responsible for the detection and response to threats. When our senses are stimulated, the amygdala helps to assign emotional significance ranging from love to fear or anger. When an emotional stimulus is out of proportion with our response to it, this process is called an amygdala hijack. Just like a hammer might only see nails, if we allow ourselves to stop thinking with our prefrontal cortex and see the world as threat, then we may opt to fight against it. Anger is often the result of fear. When not regulated, it can create the sense of a frightening authoritative God.

More on the amygdala from various perspectives: