Prophets? or victims of neurological/psychological disorders?

Question

First of all thanks to the Christians/Atheists/Agnostics etc who have answered my questions

I was wondering what you all think of the following theory:

If you hold to the premise that Jesus, Moses, Abraham etc were real people (there is reasonable evidence for this) - could their visions/experiences of 'talking to god' could have been as a result of a condition like Temporal Lobe Epilepsy or Schizophrenia, both of which are characterised by the inducement of hallucinations (visual, auditory etc)

There are examples through history where symptoms of neurological/mental illness has been mistaken for possession etc

The lady who founded the seventh day adventists had classic signs of TLE for example.

Stimulation of the temporal lobes in a controlled setting results in induced hallucinations relevant to ones beliefs

Were these prophets suffering from mental illness/ hallucinations that manifested itself in forms relevant to their beliefs?

Thanks for any responses

Stop attacking straw men !!! all of you!!!!
I'm not attacking God or saying that this disproves his existance because I'm not an illogical moron who would claim such a thing

....Im questioning these prophets validity as spokesmen of God

also 2+5 = al? (sorry if i muddled your name its got all numbers in it and I swear Im dyslexic with them) what do you work in mental health as?

You believe that mental illness provides us with insight into truth?
So you believe that Schizophrenics delusions which often torment them day and night have truth in them?

You believe that someone with body dysmorphic disorder who believes their appearance is so hideous that they never leave their house is in possession of some reality that we are unaware of?

STEVE

I have never nor would I ever in my right mind state that the theory of evolution is a fact. This goes against all the teaching I have received in science.

Read my posts before you boldly and oh so intelligently attempt to refute things I never said

Evolution is a theory. I'll say it again. Thats what we have in biology...theories

Answer 1

Were these prophets suffering from mental illness/ hallucinations that manifested itself in forms relevant to their beliefs? It is very possible that it was just neurons misfiring that caused these experiences. But one could also very easily argue that it was something like God causing these neurons to misfire allowing these prophets to communicate with God. Since religion is a matter of faith, believing in that which cannot be proved or disproved, this explanation would be perfectly acceptable to those who are religious.

Answer 2

Who called down fire from heaven in the midst of thousands of people? A prophet did. What does this have to do with Epilepsy or Schizophrenia?

Who parted the Red Sea and let the Israelites walk on dry ground? Many thousands recorded this.

Who caused the Flood of Noah? What does this have to do with mental disorders? This flood is recorded in every culture's history.

500 people saw Jesus after the crucifixion, alive and resurrected. This was so documented that it split time in two - BC / AD.

History laughs at your question and so do I.

Answer 3

If you read the scriptures you will see that most of them walked naked....unless they mourned in which case the wore sackcloth....its perceived Mental illness...depending on your perception of what Mentally ill is.

We create these terms as way to push drugs and make money, but I can say that the so-called mentally ill have more insight into the truth, then some of us will ever have and that I think is the source of their torment....Just and Opinion

Answer 4

You are quite funny, you state that the theory of evolution is a fact. And then in this question you state , "there is reasonable evidence of this", referring to the existence of Jesus, etc.

Even the biggest nay-sayers know that Jesus lived and died as told in the Bible. They only question is if he was the son of God.

Me thinks you read to much and think to little.

So all of the books of the Bible, ( they are still finding books believed to be meant to be part of the Bible ), were written by people having hallucinations?

Some people think that common sense can taught.
Some people think that education equals intelligence.
Some people believe that having "wisdom" comes from education.
Education is nothing more then memorization, any fool is capable of memorization.

Answer 5

Possible mental illness of prophets are just your way to explain that which you can't comprehend. You can't put God in a box.. This wanting to scientifically explain everything away... is the "knowlege" the serpent spoke about in the Garden of Eden.. it is the opening of the mind & the closing of the heart. The enemies perfect deception..and too many fall for it.. it is sad.

Answer 6

That's an easy hypothesis to test. It's the same one for a false prophet. "Have they ever (even once) been wrong?"

If it is a neurological disorder, then it stands to reason that, even if they have a high percentage of correct "visions," then they would be wrong occasionally. If however, they are never wrong, then it stands to reason that the revelations come from a source outside themselves.

Good question.

Answer 7

Sorry but the only explanation for a true Prophet is the annointing from God to speak forth the truth.

Answer 8

Who says a seizure does not give a person clear sight into realms that others cannot see? You don't know that what they see doesn't exist...what is 'mental illness'? Being different from the average person for one thing...you are blind...

Answer 9

Show me a mental illness that can take a fish and feed thousands of people... I want that disorder.

Answer 10

Almost certainly. Combined with a strong personality and will to power.