Believers of religion don't seem to be able to differentiate between reality and fiction. Their arguments are all based on a fictional book. They follow a hypocritical organisation, corrupted with paedophiles, violence, control, and brainwashing. Nothing seems to be questioned, even when the evidence of this corruption is there.
It seems to me that there are a great deal of mental problems with people that can't see this!
2006-09-30 08:46:12 · 40 answers · asked by GayAtheist 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Psychiatrists have recently found conclusive evidence that a belief in religion (of any sort) is tantamount to a mental disorder - similar brain pattern scans as schizophrenics and those who "hear voices", etc. Make of that what you will.
2006-09-30 08:52:22 · answer #1 · answered by nert 4 · 4⤊ 6⤋
Yes, and No. Its obvious of course that the 'belief' system in the human brain has an extremely definate boundary (the brain!) so yes religion is a mental condition within the thinking animal of this planet. And of course it may be all part of the fact that the power of thought is not a natural thing for an animal to have and these anomolies with some people just could be what has to be tolerated as part of being able to have some people actually use there brains to deal with facts. I would hope the people who deal with facts only are on a point further on down the evolutionary path - it would be quite worrying if its the reverse!.
I dont think Atheists have a mental condition the same as believers because the atheist does not have an opinion on anything other than fact (believers have an opinion based on...... ummmmmmm......... belief !.
I dont think it is a problem though. It only becomes a problem when they start speaking dribble and quoting nothing that is provable or fact.
2006-09-30 09:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by Jon H 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, no connection and that is a fact. We all are in the same goal front for the most part reguardless of "religion" and that is to and for GOD.
mental Illness; disorder of the brain
corruption; defiled, to become corrupt, not genuine,full of errors, venal, taking bribes, dishonest.
Now considering all you have said and asked, the Bible is an authorative book not fictional, and I feel that most that have issues with obeying and not doing sinful things will fight this book unti the end and the truths that are in it. Perhaps some that have mental "problems" need to read it and find Jesus. Persons born with mental "illness" lets pray for them. There is a difference of the two. You mentioned them both so you dont seem to be accurate in what you are saying on "mental illness/mental problems- they are entirely two different things.
What is there to "brainwash? All we need to now is in the Bible. Yes, we all have questions on many parts of the Bible for it all has missing links that were perhaps never written or found. With what we have, we know it is from God. Perhaps facing it and not thinking of God as "religion" and that God is God and "religion" helps us to get closer to God. That is the difference. I hope this put it into more perspective for you------
2006-09-30 09:00:40 · answer #3 · answered by yeppers 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, I have to admit that personally I totally disagree with what youre saying, but.....
Freud (famous psychologist dude) thought exactly the same thing. He viewed religion as some form of mental illness, similar in some way to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or something. He saw religious people as needing to follow certain rituals (eg praying, going to church), and that religion was an illness that needed cured.
Can't say I agree with him, but there are people that seem to believe that.
Oh, and by the way, I am a Christian, and a Christian who has struggled with mental illness. That doesn't make my faith any less real to me. You have your opinions and I have mine.
2006-09-30 09:19:33 · answer #4 · answered by clairelouise 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dean Hamer is a molecular biologist at the National Institutes of Health, where he heads the Gene Structure and Regulation section at the National Cancer Institute. In his latest book, Hamer says certain brain chemicals affect higher consciousness and spirituality, and that the actions of these chemicals are linked to a gene his team has researched. He speaks about "The God Gene" and how faith is hardwired into our genes."
What is the God gene?
The God gene refers to the idea that human spirituality has an innate genetic component to it. It doesn’t mean that there’s one gene that makes people believe in God, but it refers to the fact that humans inherit a predisposition to be spiritual--to reach out and look for a higher being.
2006-09-30 12:29:48 · answer #5 · answered by bathsideboy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe it's based on... but it certainly can turn into mental illness. And I am not so sure it's brainwashing... not done by another. They do it to themselves. Some just put on blinders and proclaim to world how right they really are. They act as if believing that puts them above the laws they spout at other people. And it just goes downhill from there.
2006-09-30 10:52:00 · answer #6 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I half agree half don't. Our brains were created for controversy. Do people really think we were designed to all think alike? Created us, made us look different, think differently to condemn each other? The wise- my friend, know that within our small worlds, it is up to us to represent Him. Unspoken good deeds, keeping your material wants to a minimum and keeping Him holy and utmost in our days is our challenge. Yes some people have mental problems, their neurons don't fire correctly, or are jaded by their upbringing, BUT I prefer the word faith to religion. I have no outlet in my world to talk about God, nobody wants to so this section is great for me, but I see exactly what u are talking about here. But we must trust and love unconditionally, trust His plan is not for us to know......yet. :) Intelligent people CAN differentiate, it's the ignorant that ONLY see their way as the way. We are all God's way. Love. For sometimes only by over coming great pain or evil can we understand joy and love. Love Delight.
2006-09-30 09:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are assumptions based on mental illness? Why do you assume that everyone who believes in a religion bases their beliefs on a fictional book? Doesn't that make you more than a bit narrow minded and uneducated about the facts?
And who follows a hypocritical organization? Given the stereotypes you mentioned, I assume you are talking about Catholicism and basing your view of world religion on that. They may be the biggest Christian denomination, but they are by far not the only. Read, study and do your homework.
I see that your user name is "gay phil." Should we assume that all gays are what they are due to mental illness? Think about how you treat people, how you want to be treated and don't execute intolerance on other people that you don't want used against you.
Another mental illness is intolerance and narrow mindedness and "it seems to me that there are a great deal of mental problems with people that can't see this!" Fortunately, the type of illness you currently suffer from can be cured with some love and compassion for mankind. Don't you want the same?
2006-09-30 08:50:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
If what you say is correct then there have been a lot of mentally ill people in the world. Let's see if I can think of any. Churchill, Ghandi, Lincoln, ML King, Mother Theresa, John Kennedy, William Wilberforce, Most of the U.S. Congress and Presidents, Most royalty, Oh this is too much like work. You get the idea.
2006-09-30 08:59:59 · answer #9 · answered by whiterook 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, not all religion is as you have described. There are plenty of people who interpret the myths metaphorically, and see in them deep philosophical meaning, rather than literal stories. Not all religion is organized and run by pedophiles and the like. Not all religions brainwash. Some encourage questioning to the point of even allowing questioning of the religion. For example, Buddhism encourages questioning the Buddha, and even discarding his teachings if they are found to be wrong.
Furthermore, mental illness cannot be defined in the way you have explained. There have been times in history when ALMOST 100% of the people were religious. It would not be acceptable, according to the Diagnostics of Mental Illness, to define ALL persons as mentally ill.
Faith in false things may not be rational, but it does not mean it is a sign of mental illness. It depends on the belief and what reason the person believes in it. Even someone who believes in a cult is not automatically diagnosed as mentally ill. Belief in irrational things is only one symptom of certain mental illnesses, and by itself cannot diagnose the illness. The irrational beliefs must be accompanied by a number of other symptoms as well.
2006-09-30 08:54:54 · answer #10 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I can only speak for Christianity. You can sum it up as Love all, Forgive all, Show mercy, Judge no-one.
So, what does it prohibit?
It prohibits prejudice, racism, intolerance, bigotry, greed, selfishness, spitefulness, malice, lust, jealousy, hatred, factions, deceitfulness. Shall I go on? Are you saying that these things are preferable to Christianity? Is that the world you want? Now, that IS insane!
It teaches that we do not retaliate if we are abused, insulted, slandered or suffer violence. In all these things we are to react with forgiveness and mercy.
If to try and be more loving is a mental illness, then I wish everyone was sick with it!
2006-09-30 09:51:28 · answer #11 · answered by waycyber 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋