Can people get addicted to religion?

Question

I've heard similar stories from born-again types: "I used to be a junkie, but then I found Jesus" and "I found God in the bottom of a bottle" and so on.

It seems that sometimes it's just trading one addiction for another. I said sometimes, I know this is rare only applies to a few Christians (so don't yell at me) but I've seen people with addictive personalities "find God" and get hooked and can't help but notice the simillarity between using and being saved.

Anyone else notice this?

Answer 1

Yes -- most definitely it is possible. And I think you are right, for the most part people become religious fanatics after they have been "rescued" or "saved" from some other addiction or personal life crisis.

I have a cousin, love her to death, she is a fanatic. She reads the bible constantly, watches the Christian Broadcast Network, does the prayer stuff with the TV, and listens to the Christian music constantly (at decibels one would hear at a rock concert). She goes to church, bible class, and other activities just about every day of the week (accept if she has to work). Her 10 year old son is sad and told his grandpa that mommy doesn't have time for him because she loves God more. That is kinda sad if you think about it.

Answer 2

Yes! An addiction to religion is usually the result of it not being underpinned by solid relationship with God first. I have found many folks like this in the small street corner Johnny come lately congregations. Good intentions aside, I do not think that they always prepare an individual to continue to grow in a relationship with God. One day you're a drunk and a junkie, today YOU'RE SAVED! While this may be so, it is not the complete answer. One must seek to re-arrange ones soul and priorities over the long haul. Otherwise, you have just traded one crutch for another.

I am painting a big topic with broad brush strokes here, so don't take offense.

Answer 3

This is true but it isn't normally thought of as an addiction but as a good thing. One would not judge a falling down drunk as they would a person who is overly religious but both can suffer from the same addictive sickness But again there are many religious people who are devout and do not become addicted. The thing to look at here is how do they (the religious addict) measure up when it comes to fulfilling their everyday responsibilities commensurate with their state in life. If they ignore their responsibilities to pursue religion, then that can be the tell tale sign that they are addicted. Religion is meant to enhance the spiritual life, not completely take over the normal everyday life we all must live.

Answer 4

That is a great question. Even though I do not fit into the exact category you mention because I have never been an addict, I did find Jesus when I was 21. I was so happy, that I wanted to tell everyone I knew how it felt to find meaning and purpose to my life.

At that time, I used to spend almost every free moment I had going to Church or to related activities with my new friends. I joined the choir, I took religion classes, etc. I am sure that to my friends and family I must have seem like a crazy person, and they worried that I had joined a cult.

With time, I realized that I could mingle with my old friends and with my family without losing my newfound beliefs or succumbing to pressures to do things I no longer wanted to do.

Unfortunately, some people do turn into fanatics when they become "religious". By that I mean that they start to judge the people around them and telling them that they are going to burn, and ugly things like that.

Many people are able to keep a balance between truly living their religion and loving those who do not share their beliefs. Most people have great qualities we can emulate. We can certainly learn good things from others around us.

Tolerance is the key. I can hold on to my beliefs and remain active in my Church and devout in my Faith without thinking I am better than everyone around me. Just because I do not agree with all the choices my loved ones make, it does not mean I cannot have a good relationship with them, based on respect.

There is much joy in opening our hearts to the beauty around us. The Lord condemned sin, but he never humiliated the sinner.

Yes, a person can seem overly enthusiastic about their religion convertion, but it does not necessarily mean they are "addicted".

Some people are sincere, you know!

Answer 5

I am a Christian, I am not "addicted", I just live my life daily, trying to keep God first . God turned my life around. I was living a life that was very , well, lets just say, "inappropreate".. Then one night God used a dream to sort of "get me thinking again", I had been in a spiritual sleep. If you not living for God, your in a spiritual sleep. Your eyes are closed and you cannot see. Period. I dont care what everyone else says on here about their not being a God or such.. There is. Bottem line. I dont have to Prove anything. I know from my own person experience That God is. And He is a rewarder of them that seek Him. Dont be a fool. God is. He will Always be.

Answer 6

If an addiction to your religion is the only addiction that you have, no matter what the religion, I say whats the problem. If a belief in diety keeps a person off of cocain or alchohol, let them become as addicted as they want.

Answer 7

OH GOD yes!! lots of people need addictions, so they replace one with another.

My uncle used to be an alcoholic, then he turned to Christ, and now is addicted to the bible, and all he talks about is church, and he donates too much money to the church, its real sick. But they look at it as, "Well, gee, if I am a good Christian, the sins I didn will not exist!" WEE!

Answer 8

Heyyy Yea!...Sry...Not yellin' at ya...I've seen a lot of them on here mostly...Kinda pees me off too...They think that they are tryin' to get you in on the club pass too...What's up with that?...Is he spose to be the new club dj?...I am not saying that I don't believe cause I do...But I am not going to get all holy rolly on here and stuff like that...Now, I have a thing to say to that God at the bottom of a bottle thing...LOL...When you have a long hard week...Yea, some do find God at the bottom of the bottle...I know that was not what you were referring to but still...When you have a hard week and you have a cold one...It really does chill you out...At least that's what I hear...

Answer 9

i was addicted to drugs, ignored my child, my husband, and didn't care about anyone else but me. Then I found the Lord and he filled the hole in my soul. I found the only thing I ever needed and all I can say is I'm not addicted. I'm in love with Jesus!

Answer 10

Anything in excess is an addiction. And yes, some people can trade one "less harmful" addiction for another.

I've seen it with my ex's family - who traded drugs and booze for AA meetings, black coffee and cigarettes. I don't see how becoming extremely religious is any less of an addiction trade-off.