Is the belief in God a mental illness? Hearing voices, calling people devils, starting wars, belief hating?

Question

I've talked to plenty god believers about the existence of god.

1. They tend to scratch the surface on each subject. They avoid getting into detail. They'll try to change the subject to prevent it.

2. They can't understand how Atheists can be happy without believing in God. God is like a drug to them. They need a fix

3. They think God is in control no matter how bad things are. They could be getting brutally murdered and still think it's God's will

4. God is their imaginary friend. They think they can't live without him. That's why they assume that Atheists are miserable

5. They can't even stand to hear someone say God is fake. I had people walk away feeling angry just because I said God is fake

6. Debating about the existence of God is entertaining for Atheist but painful for most God believers.

Answer 1

I believe in G-d and i am perfectly a normal person. i think

Answer 2

Answerer #1 -- Not too long, but not substantial enough to really debate.

I have had plenty of good debates with Christians of all denominations who did NONE of those things, and where do you get your information, anyhow? Who hears voices? Who calls people devils, and starts wars? What Belief Hating?

I also don't know what you are talking about in 1. -- scratching the surface and changing the subject. Or 2. God is like a drug? Maybe God is just something that they base their life on so that they don't need a "fix" -- they just lead a spiritual life?

You have built a superficial and circumstantial case for a ridiculous accusation. The belief in God is no more a mental illness than sitting down and typing on Yahoo Answers at night when you should be reading a book.

You don't have any facts that are supported by evidence, you have some vague notions that you twisted around to fit your ill-suited hypothesis of mental illness. I am glad that you have been amused and entertained while mocking and ridiculing faithful believers of any religion, but while that's fun for you, it was obviously fun that you had at someone else's expense.

While I am NOT a Christian, I certainly would debate this topic with you at any time, and would definitely NOT be in pain if these are all the facts that you have to support your argument.

Answer 3

1. I think most of the Christians you have come into contact with are shallow in their faith. I believe that is why they barely scratch the surface on each subject, though I'm not sure what you mean by "subject"... As far as changing the subject goes, I have found that the opposite is true--most atheists I have talked to change the subject a lot, but I think that has more to do with who you talk to than any particular person's belief system.

2. I can understand how atheists can be happy without believing in God: Happiness has absolutely nothing to do with your belief system. Or are you referring to something other than happiness?

3. Christians, I included, believe the Bible when it says God is all-knowing. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you cannot defend yourself, or that you shouldn't. Where Christ talks about turning the other cheek may appear to be such a case, but if you look at other instances in the Bible where Christ is being punished for "wrongs," he stands up for himself. It becomes clear that Christ was talking about insults people throw at us when he commands us to turn the other cheek.

4. I believe this is a copy of 2.

5. I can stand to hear someone say God is fake. I hear it every day. If that's what you believe, then that's what you believe, though I REALLY wish I could convince you otherwise.

6. I love discussing the existence of God, assuming it is done in a calm, logical manner that avoids logical fallacies and name-calling.

Answer 4

Well I wouldn’t say it's a mental illness. It is more just bad education and religion is instilled in children to young to really critically think about it. I was a Christian since I could walk. I would go on mission trips and do everything there was possible to serve my lord god. Then when I turned 15 I learned about astronomy and evolution and found out I was an ignorant idiot with a very unhealthy bias. Now I am an atheist and am glad to see another. The taboo on debating religion is so stupid. But the only reason it is taboo is because any debate towards religion will ultimately crush it. So they come up with theories like oh god is outside of physics and nature. It saddens me that more the fifty percent of America thinks the world is less then 10,000 years old. Good luck too you my friend hopefully you will spread the word and fight for logic and reason.

PS really liked the use of the infamous teapot argument

Da mick I am sorry but you are an idiot. Trying to debase evolution does not make religion any more true. We rely on scientific fact how is that bad haha. You rely on believing something with no prove aren’t you so fricken superior.

Answer 5

No, I don't think it is, it's just people's beliefs like everyone has right to believe or not believe. I'm an agnostic I feel unsure whether God exists or not but sometimes I wonder if there is a God, it's just the way I feel, like some people feel very sure there is no God, some people feel sure there is and some people are not sure. Some Atheists don't understand how people can believe and some religious people don't understand how people can not believe.

Answer 6

No, it is not a mental illness. What it has become though, is very sad indeed. I believe in God, not church. I believe in God, not the bible. It's different for everyone. I have to believe because of different factors. You would think I'm nuts if I told you. Everytime I was at a crossroad, God showed me the way to go, the right way. I may fall but always manage to land on two feet, God helps me do that.

People have challenges in life. I think this is because when the worst happens, that is when people turn to Him for help. I have a belief in God, but I don't believe all the people who spout bible nonsense. I call them "The Bible Thumpers", you know who you are. Bible was written by men and translated several times. Do you think nothing got lost in the translation?

For all I know God could be an alien on a very distant planet. Who knows for fact? I don't and I do not pretend to. But an existence of some kind is out there, and it is powerful.

Answer 7

Men cause war, not Religion. And Maybe Athiesm is a mental illness. I mean for a person to say "god doesn't exist" when the world that spins around was created by him. And yes, If an athiest is happy without believing, that is fine. But take a black picture and stare at it. This is your destiny when you die. Nothing. Emptiness. Cold black walls forever. Your murder thing is moronic to say. And if God is fake, how did you get here? Maybe you become DEAF when somebody tries to talk to you? Maybe your head or ego swells up too. And to "Debate" God with an athiest is like watching paint dry. They always want to "rely on Science." "Oh this is scientific Fact." But why is it archaeological FACTS refute some of science?

Answer 8

I am a christian, i love God with my heart soul and mind, as is reflected in my life.
i must say that the new Christianity of the day is a sort of drug.
christian youths go to head banging concerts to jump, scream, and mosh all 'in the name of Jesus' i know i was one of them. until i was TRULY saved from my sin.
now that i have a real relationship with God i can see my deception.
try talking to a Calvinist about the existence of God.
you wont be saying that God is imaginary when you are bowing before His throne.
saying that God is fake is like saying that the earth is fake, He allows every breath to be taken, and again you wont mocking Gods existence when He casts you in the eternal lake of fire.

Answer 9

Lets try an experiment, look for a mental ward and invite people to come an visit from different denominations and see what happens. I have done it and believe me I have seen some incredible stuff. You need to experience this on your own that way you know that its real. After that start to read then you will understand the differance.

Answer 10

Well enjoy your entertainment while you can. Because you will meet God one day. We walk away when you insult God, because there is no point in arguing with you. If you have never had an encounter with God how can you judge what others have experienced? I don't like to debate the existence of God because spiritually blind people just don't get it. Its pointless.

Answer 11

Tell you what then dear kind sir, next time you feel up to it, try some of your Internet knowledge on me. I personally guarantee that I will do more than scratch the surface with answers to your questions. I can tell you right now that belief in God isn't an illiness, and then I'll show you where, how, who, and when every atheist fact you stumbled upon came to be. Just say when.