Is Bible Belief a Mental Disorder?

[Lotan]

The bible contains lots of details that we might normally expect to find in fiction; talking snakes, angels, resurrections, etc.

If someone sincerely believed, for example, that Gandalf created the universe, and that Bilbo and Frodo were prophets, and they decided, for example, to home school their children so that they would be indoctrinated in those same beliefs, wouldn't that constitute grounds for suspicion that the person suffered from a potentially harmful delusion?

I really don't see a difference between this and other forms of religious belief based on supposedly 'divinely inspired' scripture, christian or otherwise, with the exception that established religious belief enjoys the acceptance of society, more or less. Further, although irrational behavior is by no means exclusive to the religious, their beliefs are often a factor as is this recent sad case. (I don't know if this fellow is christian or muslim, or whatever, nor do I care) Or this one. An extreme case might be the Texas woman who crushed her children's skulls because she believed god wanted to test her. Hey, how about those people who think that natural disasters are god's retribution for homosexuality? The list is endless of course.

So that's the question...
Is Bible Belief a Mental Disorder?

[ST88]

Is Bible Belief a Mental Disorder?

The specific instances you cite are a product of a mental disorder. However, it is quite likely that humans have a genetic capacity to believe in things that they can't prove. Also known as intuition and gut instinct. So while "mental disorder" is inapplicable in a medical sense, I'd have to agree that irrationality is certainly in evidence.

[Lotan]

Right now, although SOME non-christians feel self-righteous because of "1500 years of history" this thread proves that they have the same attitude as those people who burnt others on a stake. Or worse.

Wow! How exactly is asking a question about the possible causes of observed phenomena equivalent to a fiery execution?

And some people who don't believe the bible believe in "brainwashing"

Yes, they're called "Moonies".

How is it harmful?

Did you see the picture of the poor kid who thought he was Satan? How about the 9/11 hijackers or the members of Heaven's Gate. I apologize if I gave the impression that these tragedies are unique to christianity, that's just the religion that I'm most familiar with. If you'd like to read some stories of personal abuse there are plenty at the exchristian.org site.

Unless it causes harm to others or oneself, then obviously it isn't harmful.

I've addressed that tautology, this thread isn't about that.

And now you think those already crowded asylums should be filled with so many christians, many of which wouldn't harm a fly.

Such hyperbole! Where exactly have I written that?

My parents taught me about evolution since I was small. Would this be classified as indoctrination?

No moreso than teaching you how to tie your shoes. If we accept this line of argument, then any form of education could be labelled "indoctrination".

This argument is about the bible being a mental disorder.

No it's about uncritical belief in unfalsifiable claims in the bible (or elsewhere) being a causative factor in mental illness. For example, a person with low self esteem may feel that way to some degree because they view themselves as 'sinful'.

You would fall under your own category of "insane"

I'd probably just like to see people abandon the traditions of the bible (or other) on their own account, in favor of a worldview that is based on reason and empiricism.

Throw out all the cases you like. Because such cases aren't mtutually exclusive to religion or Christianity either.

Again, I've already addressed that point. Just because there may be other causes of mental disorder doesn't eliminate the possibility of religiousity (in this case bible, or qu'ran, or whatever, literalism) being one of them.

[CJK]

Is Bible Belief a Mental Disorder?

I think it is much more than that.

The Christian God, or any God for that matter, is a great projection of human fears and desires. No wonder 'He' is anthropomorphic.

Throughout human history, there as always been the frightening, most troubling fact that we do not know who we are, nor where we are going in this mass ocean of chaos. It has been the authorities, the religious, political and educational authorities who have attempted to comfort us by giving us order, rules and regulations.

So, it is not just a mental disorder, it is a subjective comforting. The person who finds himself in disgrace can call for Divine Mercy, and receive the sense that it has been vouchsafed. In the actual business of life, grief, fear and sorrow, men and women and children say their prayers and find themselves comforted. This continues, whatever unbelievers say about the sheer irrationality of the practice.

[bernee51]

So that's the question...
Is Bible Belief a Mental Disorder?

No. It is like all belief systems, a way in which the believers can translate the suffering that surrounds us into a framework that has some meaning and legitimacy.

Those that use these beliefs to justify actions that are socially unacceptable may very well be disordered mentally.

[Lotan]

Those that use these beliefs to justify actions that are socially unacceptable may very well be disordered mentally.

Hi bernee,
What's "socially unacceptable " in Salt Lake City isn't the same as what's "socially unacceptable " in Tehran, or Birmingham etc. Do you think this is the best criterion by which to judge whether an individual's behavior is "sane" (whatever that may be)?

[scorpia]

Wow! How exactly is asking a question about the possible causes of observed phenomena equivalent to a fiery execution?

Simple.

This thread shows you think people shouldn't follow the bible, and if they did, they should be considered as "insane". Perhaps locked up for it, or at least be constantly labelled as "insane" and mistreated for it. Those "fiery executions" where by people who also thought others shouldn't follow they bible, and killed those who did.

But hey, at least getting killed was all that happened to them.

Did you see the picture of the poor kid who thought he was Satan? How about the 9/11 hijackers or the members of Heaven's Gate. I apologize if I gave the impression that these tragedies are unique to christianity, that's just the religion that I'm most familiar with. If you'd like to read some stories of personal abuse there are plenty at the exchristian.org site.

9/11... Now what are some of the many reasons that that happened? Muslim extremists hate christians. How do you know that 9/11 wasn't caused out of a hatred for it? They hate the western world, but why? And a random kid........ What about all those anti-christian people who are into suicide? Guess it isn't all that unique to Christianity. Any way, yes, I know some "christians' do some bad things. But the reasons people do such things is because of attitude. Not only that, but the instances you cite.. these are just the bad things you focus on, while ignoring anything else about the general population of Christianity.

And right now, I don't see atheism as all that great as an alternative. They do many wrongs as well. Why don't you look for some instances of Christians being mistreated as well?

Such hyperbole! Where exactly have I written that?

You show that you think christianity is a mental disorder. And you show that you think it should be "fixed". Not in words, but that is how you come across.

No moreso than teaching you how to tie your shoes. If we accept this line of argument, then any form of education could be labelled "indoctrination".

Precisely.

For example, a person with low self esteem may feel that way to some degree because they view themselves as 'sinful'.

And suppose they think so because they have a rational reason for believing in the bible. It's their choice what they want to believe, low self-esteem or no. Besides, what if someone has low self esteem because a non-christian called them stupid and ignorant or nuts? Again, their choice what to believe, but if you think low self-esteem is a problem, try doing your own part by not acting like this.

I'd probably just like to see people abandon the traditions of the bible (or other) on their own account, in favor of a worldview that is based on reason and empiricism.

It might happen for a lot of people. But then there's reasons to believe the Bible. Look at the many threads in this debating forum for such an argument. Or what, you think I should ignore reasoning and abandon the bible just because popular opinion says "it's just insane?" Because that's a rather weak reason.

Just because there may be other causes of mental disorder doesn't eliminate the possibility of religiousity (in this case bible, or qu'ran, or whatever, literalism) being one of them.

And like wise for being against religion.

[bernee51]

Those that use these beliefs to justify actions that are socially unacceptable may very well be disordered mentally.

Hi bernee,
What's "socially unacceptable " in Salt Lake City isn't the same as what's "socially unacceptable " in Tehran, or Birmingham etc. Do you think this is the best criterion by which to judge whether an individual's behavior is "sane" (whatever that may be)?

Greetings Lotan

Socially unacceptable? Anything that transgresses the 'golden rule' perhaps?

Personally I use the yamas and niyamas as a guide as to what is socially acceptable or not.

Sanity can be described a mental health - I don't see irrational beliefs as a sign of mental ill-health. I see it as ignorance and wishful thinking.

The apocalypse does not point to a fiery Armageddon but to our ignorance and complacancy coming to an end

[Curious]

Socially unacceptable? Anyhing that transgresses the 'golden rule' perhaps?

Personally I use the yamas and niyamas as a guide.

Now if I was a student of esoteric mysticism or hermetics I might feel some affiliation with you brother. I might even let pass the transgression of your breaking the "golden rule". It's there for a reason. Unspoken means unwritten. To all, no guide is higher than self.

[bernee51]

I might even let pass the transgression of your breaking the "golden rule". It's there for a reason.

And the reason is....

To all, no guide is higher than self.

With this I completely agree - but I would capitalize the 'S' in Self to discriminate it from the sense of the individual self - which is a liar and obsfucator.

[scorpia]

Hi Bernee

Sorry, I don't quite understand;

With this I completely agree - but I would capitalize the 'S' in Self to discriminate it from the sense of the individual self - which is a liar and obsfucator.

What other self is there other than your individual self?