The DSM-IV describes a mental disorder of group delusion.

A bunch of people wasting their precious Sundays gathering to support each other in such a delusion, is sad behavior, but is it harmful? (Those who, unwaveringly and defensively believe in the divinity of Jesus, the virgin birth, his reanimation after proved death, that he will come again after the world blows up, that gays are sinners, that talking to your children about condoms is bad, etc..)

Aside from Dawkins' claim that those who believe in Armageddon, even wish for it, are potentially harmful to the world, which puts those types in the same class of the mentally ill as suicide bombers, I think,-- is, believing something as absurd as the virgin birth or people coming back to life after being mutilated to death, harmful to that person, alone?

I think, yes, that such beliefs cause a schism in self and world concept--leading to, a profound, insecurity and a dependence on the body of persons (Christian organizations which advocate such delusions) to substitute for a missing, well formed identity, and a lack of confidence and individualism needed for mental health.

Edited by: halofrisbeechamp at: 3/23/07 7:18 am

Not to mention a certain disregard and flippancy about life in general. Physical, earthly life doesn't seem to be as important when there is an eternal life following it.

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Lindaz
Not to mention a certain disregard and flippancy about life in general. Physical, earthly life doesn't seem to be as important when there is an eternal life following it.

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Especially for those people whose lives suck monkey butts.

Rather than work to fix their lives they wait for their eternal reward.

Later

The amusing thing is that oppressed people are prone to inventing a myth based reality to overcome their present unhappiness. Not that it does any good in the present, but it gives them something to look forward to.

An example is the Native American "Ghost Dance". I read about this in Michael Shermer's "How We Believe".

I have little time to research links, so the link I attached was the first that looked good enough. Feel free to look further if you all like!

Mr. P.

I'm not saying it's usual for people to do those things but I(with the permission of God) have raised a dog from the dead and healed many people from all sorts of ailments. - Asana Boditharta (former booktalk troll)

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

What is all this shit about Angels? Have you heard this? 3 out of 4 people believe in Angels. Are you F****** STUPID? Has everybody lost their mind? - George Carlin

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Edited by: misterpessimistic  at: 3/26/07 11:04 am