Is Religion A Mental Illness?

[Evraim]

I would say that by any strenuous psychological or psychiatric definition religosity does not constitute a mental illness.

Oh? good thing I never said that then.

Snarky, aren't we? We should get along well.

Well, to be fair, I never said that you did.

Although I shall apologize for insinuating that you made such assertions. I thought you were attempting to support the original posters argument, but after reviewing everything I see that you're merely correcting certain assumptions about what constitutes a mental illness- specifically mentioning that numbers possess no impact.

I knew Swiss neutrality was only a cover for something evil.

I got nothing against scientists and such, but you don't need to be one to know that maybe... just maybe... trying to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang is a poorly thoughout out idea. I heard it was really big, and kinda created the universe, but thats what scientists say.

I am skeptical that science would possess the capabilities to precisely recreate the conditions of the Big Bang. The sheer quantities of energy present could not be replicated in a modern laboratory. Additionally, the Laws of Physics are an impediment to such experiments, I would imagine.

[Jormengand]

-snip-

It's fine.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how... oh **** (Check the quotes in my sig for the reference)

[Greater Evil Imperial Japanese Dystopia]

I knew Swiss neutrality was only a cover for something evil.

I got nothing against scientists and such, but you don't need to be one to know that maybe... just maybe... trying to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang is a poorly thoughout out idea. I heard it was really big, and kinda created the universe, but thats what scientists say.

This is why Doctor Strangelove is here. The doomsday machine is near completion according to his research.

In the meantime let us get back on the main topic...

[Gatunux]

Are morality and ethics a mental illness? We think, we feel. Maybe it is just the human condition of the mind, or centuries of brainwashing and the definition of what is "normal" or not by society. Or maybe it is because of insecurities, the need for a "comfort zone" for some to stop from losing their mind, possibly an inferiority complex. Who the hell knows!

[Evraim]

I got nothing against scientists and such, but you don't need to be one to know that maybe... just maybe... trying to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang is a poorly thoughout out idea. I heard it was really big, and kinda created the universe, but thats what scientists say.

This is why Doctor Strangelove is here. The doomsday machine is near completion according to his research.

In the meantime let us get back on the main topic...

*I stab the topic multiple times in the neck and chest.*

To the peculiar Christian conception of fiery torment and squealing nudity that has not basis in Talmudic literature you fiend!

[Libete]

He gave Adam and Eve choice. They chose wrong. What does that say about God? He likes freedom. That's pretty much it.

The tree was the tree of knowledge. They had no way of knowing that eating from it was bad. Then god decided because they were convinced by one of his creations to eat from it, he would burn everyone forever. It says that Yahweh is a complete idiot, evil, or both, if he even exists

Actually. He told them not to eat the fruit. They chose to do it anyway. And not everyone burns forever. Only people who don't listen to what he has to say. Please read the Bible before you start trying to quote it.

[AETEN II]

The tree was the tree of knowledge. They had no way of knowing that eating from it was bad. Then god decided because they were convinced by one of his creations to eat from it, he would burn everyone forever. It says that Yahweh is a complete idiot, evil, or both, if he even exists

Actually. He told them not to eat the fruit. They chose to do it anyway. And not everyone burns forever. Only people who don't listen to what he has to say. Please read the Bible before you start trying to quote it.

The Adam and Eve story is complete BS. The Church actually put it in the Bible in order to more easily convert 'vikings', which I will call the Nords because I don't want to be yelled at for mispelling Scand's and such.

[Evraim]

The tree was the tree of knowledge. They had no way of knowing that eating from it was bad. Then god decided because they were convinced by one of his creations to eat from it, he would burn everyone forever. It says that Yahweh is a complete idiot, evil, or both, if he even exists

Actually. He told them not to eat the fruit. They chose to do it anyway. And not everyone burns forever. Only people who don't listen to what he has to say. Please read the Bible before you start trying to quote it.

Does being the member of a religion whose adherents encouraged bored Romans to nail G-d to a couple pieces of wood approximately two thousand years ago get you condemned to Hell?

Actually. He told them not to eat the fruit. They chose to do it anyway. And not everyone burns forever. Only people who don't listen to what he has to say. Please read the Bible before you start trying to quote it.

The Adam and Eve story is complete BS. The Church actually put it in the Bible in order to more easily convert 'vikings', which I will call the Nords because I don't want to be yelled at for mispelling Scand's and such.

How would that story help? I mean Odin and his brothers killing Yrm was pretty epic. Source?

[The Cummunist State]

The tree was the tree of knowledge. They had no way of knowing that eating from it was bad. Then god decided because they were convinced by one of his creations to eat from it, he would burn everyone forever. It says that Yahweh is a complete idiot, evil, or both, if he even exists

Actually. He told them not to eat the fruit. They chose to do it anyway. And not everyone burns forever. Only people who don't listen to what he has to say. Please read the Bible before you start trying to quote it.

As I said, the book of multiple choice. Every Christian believes something different, I just go with what the bible actually SAYS that I know of. And it was the tree of knowledge. They didn't even know that they should cover their genitalia (which Yahweh apparently would rather have you do, from what most Christians say), so how could they know eating from the tree of knowledge is that bad? Also, Yahweh said Adam would die. They ended up both dying forever. He told a half truth.

[Jormengand]

-

"I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were in flames already!...Do not come to me looking for peace, for I have come to bring not peace but a sword, I have come to turn every household of five three against two and two against three, I have come to turn son against father and father against son, daughter against mother and mother against daughter, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law!"

[Greater Evil Imperial Japanese Dystopia]

Are morality and ethics a mental illness? We think, we feel. Maybe it is just the human condition of the mind, or centuries of brainwashing and the definition of what is "normal" or not by society. Or maybe it is because of insecurities, the need for a "comfort zone" for some to stop from losing their mind, possibly an inferiority complex. Who the hell knows!

I know!

[AETEN II]

Actually. He told them not to eat the fruit. They chose to do it anyway. And not everyone burns forever. Only people who don't listen to what he has to say. Please read the Bible before you start trying to quote it.

Does being the member of a religion whose adherents encouraged bored Romans to nail G-d to a couple pieces of wood approximately two thousand years ago get you condemned to Hell?

The Adam and Eve story is complete BS. The Church actually put it in the Bible in order to more easily convert 'vikings', which I will call the Nords because I don't want to be yelled at for mispelling Scand's and such.

How would that story help? I mean Odin and his brothers killing Yrm was pretty epic. Source?

It was a history channel program, back when the channel was actually good. It made sense. Adam and Eve were added so the Bible would be a 'sequel', after ragnknok or whatever it's called happened and the last to living humans hid in the tree.

[Zyvyty]

Ok, so as some of you know, i have taken a firm IC stance on Religion being a mental illness....

...load of ancient bullshit that has never really contributed anything to the world that outweighs the horrible things it has caused for thousands of years, (racism, sexism, burning at the stake, witchhunts, inquisitions, wars, etc.).....
So, nationstates: Your thoughts.

1) The fact that many people with mental illness use some religious veil to excuss their craziness does not mean religion itself is crazy.

2) What has religon contributed to civilization? Civilization. Religion is responsible for the transition of hunter gather to agricultural societies (sourse National Geographic). It was the extreamly pious sects (not the same as fundimentalism) that were responsible for overcoming slavery, racism, and sexism. Sexism and Racism are ancient mindsets that most major religions have struggled (with partial success) to overcome.

[Evraim]

Does being the member of a religion whose adherents encouraged bored Romans to nail G-d to a couple pieces of wood approximately two thousand years ago get you condemned to Hell?


How would that story help? I mean Odin and his brothers killing Yrm was pretty epic. Source?

It was a history channel program, back when the channel was actually good. It made sense. Adam and Eve were added so the Bible would be a 'sequel', after ragnknok or whatever it's called happened and the last to living humans hid in the tree.

Oh, I've heard that story as well. Although I'm not certain where it originated. Was it the Catholics who changed or had Scandinavia begun to Christianize at that point?

[Jormengand]

It was the extreamly pious sects (not the same as fundimentalism) that were responsible for overcoming slavery, racism, and sexism. Sexism and Racism are ancient mindsets that most major religions have struggled (with partial success) to overcome.

Funny, given how much of the ""Good book"" was dedicated to these things. And homophobia. And intolerance of other religeons. And so on.

[AETEN II]

viewtopic.php?ns=1&f=20&t=168147&p=8648696#p8648696
Scroll down to the bottom of the thread. The fellow with the grammar nazi flag nearly made me facepalm in real life. How I have 'faith' that photos are not photoshopped pictures of fossils.

-head asplodes from being unable to understand the insanity of that post-

[The Cummunist State]

Ok, so as some of you know, i have taken a firm IC stance on Religion being a mental illness....

...load of ancient bullshit that has never really contributed anything to the world that outweighs the horrible things it has caused for thousands of years, (racism, sexism, burning at the stake, witchhunts, inquisitions, wars, etc.).....
So, nationstates: Your thoughts.

1) The fact that many people with mental illness use some religious veil to excuss their craziness does not mean religion itself is crazy.

2) What has religon contributed to civilization? Civilization. Religion is responsible for the transition of hunter gather to agricultural societies (sourse National Geographic). It was the extreamly pious sects (not the same as fundimentalism) that were responsible for overcoming slavery, racism, and sexism. Sexism and Racism are ancient mindsets that most major religions have struggled (with partial success) to overcome.

Religion creates most sexism, racism, slavery, and discrimination in general. It's also been the reason for lots of different wars between countries and cities. Religion didn't make Civilization, it's just been along side it. Humans made civilization.

[Evraim]

It was the extreamly pious sects (not the same as fundimentalism) that were responsible for overcoming slavery, racism, and sexism. Sexism and Racism are ancient mindsets that most major religions have struggled (with partial success) to overcome.

Funny, given how much of the ""Good book"" was dedicated to these things. And homophobia. And intolerance of other religeons. And so on.

It's true enough, though. There were religious people dedicated to combating racism, sexism, and slavery. Especially, slavery.

[Owenb1111]

it depends if you go insane blabaring on about god and how your his son *looks at picture of jeusus on the wall*

[Staeny]

No. Different from ideology becoming doctrine and own founders being deified....do I think religion is often worse than ideologies? Yes. Even so, faith is the denial of fact so that belief can be preserved, and this applies to assumptions and self-pride as much as any religious ideas. Do I think some religious ideas are worse than the average assumption? Yes.

[Jormengand]

It's true enough, though. There were religious people dedicated to combating racism, sexism, and slavery. Especially, slavery.

There were some. A minority.

[Evraim]

1) The fact that many people with mental illness use some religious veil to excuss their craziness does not mean religion itself is crazy.

2) What has religon contributed to civilization? Civilization. Religion is responsible for the transition of hunter gather to agricultural societies (sourse National Geographic). It was the extreamly pious sects (not the same as fundimentalism) that were responsible for overcoming slavery, racism, and sexism. Sexism and Racism are ancient mindsets that most major religions have struggled (with partial success) to overcome.

Religion creates most sexism, racism, slavery, and discrimination in general. It's also been the reason for lots of different wars between countries and cities. Religion didn't make Civilization, it's just been along side it. Humans made civilization.

Most of those claims are questionable. The notion that religion creates most sexism, racism, slavery, and discrimination in general is obviously suspect. After all, it's possible for non-religious people to engage in all manner of discrimination and some proudly do so. Furthermore, religion is not the only factor that affects how an individual treats his or her fellows. Biology and other facets of culture aside from religion are vital to shaping an individual's perception of others. Yes, religion has been utilized to justify discrimination, but it has also been utilized to oppose it as in the case of the abolition of slavery.

The assertion regarding wars is patently false. Most conflicts are caused by politics, a desire for increased wealth, nationalism, and things of a similar nature. Religion rarely factors into the equation. In fact, Crusades and Jihads often have underlying cultural and political motivations. That said, religion can exacerbate the situation as it did during the Crusades (the people's and children's crusades) and today (the Taliban recruits some individual's on the basis of religion certainly). However, let's not over-exaggerate the role religion has in fomenting strife.

You're correct in stating that religion is a part of civilization as opposed to its creator.

It's true enough, though. There were religious people dedicated to combating racism, sexism, and slavery. Especially, slavery.

There were some. A minority.

Then why do countries like the United States and the United Kingdom no longer permit slavery to be practiced? Apparently, the individuals opposed to those practices- some on the basis of religion- had enough influence to influence government policies.

[Zyvyty]

It was the extreamly pious sects (not the same as fundimentalism) that were responsible for overcoming slavery, racism, and sexism. Sexism and Racism are ancient mindsets that most major religions have struggled (with partial success) to overcome.

Funny, given how much of the ""Good book"" was dedicated to these things. And homophobia. And intolerance of other religeons. And so on.

Have you ever been to a tribal culture (not Native American)? That is where you will find true racism, sexism, homophobia, everything-phobia. The "Islamic" civilization is so represive because pre-Islamic tribal culture is taught as Islam instead of the Koran.

How much of the "Good Book" have you read? or do you just read quotes. Have you read it in Hebrew? If so then you know the "Written word" was one side of the equation, with a judical tradion being the other. You would also be able to see where politics has corrupted the religous process, and where the truely religious fought aginst corruption.

[AETEN II]

Funny, given how much of the ""Good book"" was dedicated to these things. And homophobia. And intolerance of other religeons. And so on.

Have you ever been to a tribal culture (not Native American)? That is where you will find true racism, sexism, homophobia, everything-phobia. The "Islamic" civilization is so represive because pre-Islamic tribal culture is taught as Islam instead of the Koran.

How much of the "Good Book" have you read? or do you just read quotes. Have you read it in Hebrew? If so then you know the "Written word" was one side of the equation, with a judical tradion being the other. You would also be able to see where politics has corrupted the religous process, and where the truely religious fought aginst corruption.

Sorry, just hard to take you seriously with dat ass dat flag nevermind >.>
Of course politics has played a part. Just look at the fuckin' Church. They attempted to, wait, no they HAD an Empire during the Middle Ages.

[Jormengand]

-snip-

Actually, I have read the entire bible, as a direct translation by someone I trust, and is Christian. So, don't pull that shit on me. There are philosophers here, you won't get away with that.