Religion and psychosis/mental health?

Question

Okay, so religious 'delusion' or 'obsession' is noted in cases of OCD, severe psychotic episodes, schizophrenia and manic depression. But where is the line drawn between religious devotion and mental illness?

Answer 1

When God hates the same people you hate it is a good indication there is a serious problem in your thinking

Answer 2

there is a line. in Christianity there is a person called the Antichrist that is going to come and many people have claimed to be him over the ages. but all of them were proven to have mental issues. some say that Christians are obsessive of there faith and that we have been brainwashed since infancy. they say that we are a blight upon the earth. but how many Christians have also in there life time claimed to be say, Marilyn Monroe just a year before? very few. same with Buddhists, Muslims, etc. there is mental and there is religious and then there is radically religious. my point is, if you have ever heard a person with any of these you can tell the difference most of the time.

Answer 3

If religious devotion does not prevent normal functioning in society it is generally not considered to be symptomatic of mental illness. This is not the case if AND ONLY IF the religious devotion is at a level that could be considered obsessive and likely to cause harm to one's self or others.... There are some people who, for example, feel that Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS has crossed the line into mentally ill. Time will be the only test of if this is the case.

Answer 4

Mental illness consists of conditions that reduce/interfere with the productivity of ones life. Sprituality/religion are used to prosper, bring an inner peace, & sensitivity to others. The two conditions are not even close in their affect on ones life.

Answer 5

Usually, people with religious delusions have other mental health issues. It's not their religious zeal alone that is the issue.

Answer 6

Religion is a belief a faith a practice. People chose to believe. People chose to practice their religion. However OCD is an act that is obsessive and compulsive. People can not control the behavior. Most can be controlled with medication and counseling.

Answer 7

In my opinion, all religion is a mental illness created usually by the parents and thrust ed upon a helpless child. Religion is a form of brain washing into adulthood. It has caused wars and murders for nothing. Beliefs are a terrible thing, it warps mankind humanity.

Answer 8

Personally, I see very little difference. To me any religious belief is a sign of mental illness.

Answer 9

Thats a really interesting question.

We were studying this in school. I think its when someone thinks they are good. When they actually con themselves into believing they are that powerful.

Answer 10

I would guess about......three feet to the left of Tom Cruise. I believe it's like jazz: you don't have to know what it is, you just got to know it when you hear it.