If an atheist who believes people of faiths to be mentally ill - doesn't that make them mentally ill?

Question

I was reading a comment from a user that suggested that people who follow any faith (Muslim, Christian) are, in effect, mentally ill. This was stated in an unequivocal fashion. And I thought, to have that strength of conviction requires a great deal of faith - and therefore the atheist must be mentally ill as well.

I kind of like this idea since it would mean that religious or atheist - we're all mentally ill. And if everyone is mentally ill - well, then, we are all on the same level. The dogmatic passion of the atheist is as likely to lead to wars as the passions of any other religious group.

Anyways - just throwing the idea out there.

Answer 1

I see your point. It does indeed take some degree of faith to "know" that a higher power doesn't exist. Unfortunately for your argument, it takes a whole lot more faith to "know" that a higher power does exist. I guess I'm going to meet you half way: the atheist in question does indict himself as somewhat insane by accusing all those who follow a religion to be the same. But to a much lessor degree.

Historically, atheist are responsible for only a fraction of the violence this world has been victimized by. Joe Stalin was probably 1 of the worst atheist war mongers in the history of man (and Hitler was not an atheist by any means). I'd say with full confidence Stalin's heinous actions pale in brutality and quantity when compared to the blood soaked history of Christianity alone.

In the end, us agnostics are probably the only sane ones in the crowd. And no, we'd never go to war to prove it. That wouldn't be very agnostic of us :)

Answer 2

It is very likely that the ability to have faith in a supreme being is rooted in our genetics. If this is correct, people don't have a choice in the matter, and thus faith doesn't really exist, it is just a function of someones mind.

I think that a mutated gene may have caused the difference between theists and non-theists, and depending on which group of people posses the mutated gene, the mutation could be leading the person away from truth.

I believe thus that people can't help if they are spiritual or not, and religion is chosen by convenience and exposure. People raised by Christian families usually turn out as either non-theists or Christians. Same with other religions.

Answer 3

It absolutely amazes me that so many people today have been infected with some sort of insidious mental virus that leads them to the insane certainty that the myths, superstitions, fairy tales and fantastical delusions of an ignorant bunch of Bronze Age fishermen and wandering goat herders represent some kind of cosmic 'TRUTH' about fundamental matters of existence and reality. Talking snake and donkeys... 'terrarium' universe... walking on water... burning bushes... parting the sea... staffs turning into snakes... humans created from dust bunnies and rib... eating god in the form of a cracker. In a sane world, if there was somebody running around spouting this crap, he would be locked up in the State Farm for the Funny. Apparently, though, mass insanity seems to convey some sort of free pass.

And you think that atheists are insane for NOT believing all that nonsense? Get a grip.

Answer 4

Faith isn't a mental illness... that's like calling homosexuality a mental illness. Faith is a choice to close your eyes and ears and mind, you won't even listen to the other side because you're too concerned with keeping your faith. You know if you gave my side a chance you wouldn't be able to ignore the logic, now would you? That's why you refuse to hear it. You want to believe that death won't be the end of your existence. You want to believe that, no matter how dumb you really might be, you are smart and special for seeing the "signs" and choosing God where others did not. You want to believe those things. My beliefs are a genuine threat to your religion and you know it. That's why your mind couldn't be farther from open.

Answer 5

This becomes a circular arguement reeeeeeaaaaalll fast, for it is not based on a solid value of measurement of sanity. It is based on one person's definition of what is "Sane", when compared to the whole population.

"Sanity" is determined by the presence or absense of faith in the individual (in this person's mind). If an exercise of "faith" is found, then the individual is mentally incompetant, or "crazy".

However, since the poster cannot empirically and without personal gain prove his theory of "Sane vs Insane", he is found to be making a supposition based on his beliefs in his own mental capacity and judgement ability. In other words, he has ultimate faith in himself as Judge. He cannot prove his sanity without at some point (blindly and stubbornly) referring to his own opinions and beliefs, therefore it becomes an act of faith (by his definition, not ours!). The Judge is found to be insane by his own definition!

Atheists cannot empirically prove there IS no god, therefore their suppostition is also based on faith (at some point). All the atheists are found insane, for they use religious faith also (just in reverse).

So, the religious are crazy because they have faith, and
the atheists are crazy because they use "reverse" faith, and
the Judge is crazy, for he believes himself sane and the perfect judge based on his faith,

when all faith is insane.

OOPS. When everybody is "equally crazy", then you have established a norm. NOBODY IS CRAZY NOW!!! We are all offically "sane" because our "insanity" is the norm: we all refer to faith at some time or another!

So, yes, you're right.

Answer 6

as a results of fact there is loads of radicals linked with Christianity. Plus each and every time the media places interest on communities, it has a tendency to be the radicals,some distance lefts and lots rights etc. regrettably many human beings take that as certainty. i think of it relatively is extra creepy whilst a individual talks approximately faith and the listener gets rather uncomfortable like they only killed somebody. Wacko be zealot speeches excluded.

Answer 7

My head hurts. I suffer from major depression and I am a recovering methamphetamine addict. I have faith that God will see me through each day, and I will continue to do the next right thing. Beyond that, I'm lost. God Bless.

Answer 8

Everyone suffers from some sort of self inflicted delusion. I am agnostic my self, but I suffer from aggressive tenacity. I use it to get stuff done in my life, but it also causes me to be bull headed sometimes when I lose my temper. I am working on that though.

Answer 9

What is "normal"? I am a christian but I respect everyone's beliefs. Does give an interesting spin on religion though!!!!

Answer 10

Hmmmm.... the religious are simultaneously trying to prove the validity and even the superiority of faith as a method of gathering knowledge AND trying to prove atheists are people of faith so they can discredit them. Your thinking is so muddled it makes my head hurt. Self-contradiction is amusing though.