Religion and insanity

[Mystical]

My dads' own form of David Icke can be found on the radio in every state he drives through for his work: Rush Limbaugh. Can't say much as to mister Rush, as I don't listen to him anymore (when I was a kid oh yes, dad had it on). But I just see the fear in my dads' eyes, the wild 'we should do something' look that he gets when he talks about muslims--I mean, goddamnit. Goddamnit.
Then add to those thoughts, the book of Revelations: and you have yourself full on religious war in the extreme, and end of world signs left and right.

I will say however, that his religion is what keeps him alive and for that, I am thankful. His father and mother died at his fathers' hands. My dad would've committed suicide if he didn't believe that he'd be going to hell like them.

[Confused Ape]

My dads' own form of David Icke can be found on the radio in every state he drives through for his work: Rush Limbaugh. Can't say much as to mister Rush, as I don't listen to him anymore (when I was a kid oh yes, dad had it on). But I just see the fear in my dads' eyes, the wild 'we should do something' look that he gets when he talks about muslims--I mean, goddamnit. Goddamnit.
Then add to those thoughts, the book of Revelations: and you have yourself full on religious war in the extreme, and end of world signs left and right.

I've been looking around to see if there is any form of bizarre behaviour which is exclusive to religious people or if there are general patterns of bizarre behaviour which are found in some religious people. The list of current conspiracy theories on wikipedia include a number of conspiracy theories which atheists could believe in. Here are two of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_con...y_theories

Some theorists claim that forced transition to digital television broadcasting is practical realization of "Big Brother" concept. They claim that miniature cameras and microphones are built into set-top boxes and newer TV sets to spy on people. Another claim describes use of mind control technology that would be hidden in the digital signal and used to subvert the mind and feelings of the people and for subliminal advertising.[73]

Philadelphia Experiment, a supposed attempt to turn a U.S. Navy warship invisible, which allegedly caused severe harm to on-board crew members. According to Jacques F. Vallée, the experiment was based on the effort to make the USS Eldridge invisible to torpedoes, through degaussing technology and other methods.[62]

I will say however, that his religion is what keeps him alive and for that, I am thankful. His father and mother died at his fathers' hands. My dad would've committed suicide if he didn't believe that he'd be going to hell like them.

This article by Susan Blackmore suggests that humans evolved religion because it had some advantages for our species. It can cause misery for many people but can also be the only thing that keeps some people going.

Why I no longer believe religion is a virus of the mind

[Zone]

What we evolved was a questioning brain and an imagination but religion itself is sociological and evolves within cultures, I doubt there's such a thing as a God gene. Not all religions even believe in a God.

[Confused Ape]

What we evolved was a questioning brain and an imagination but religion itself is sociological and evolves within cultures, I doubt there's such a thing as a God gene.

There are many ideas but nobody knows the real reason why humans have religion as yet.

Evolutionary origin of religions

There is general agreement among cognitive scientists that religion is an outgrowth of brain architecture that evolved early in human history. However, there is disagreement on the exact mechanisms that drove the evolution of the religious mind. The two main schools of thought hold that either religion evolved due to natural selection and has selective advantage, or that religion is an evolutionary byproduct of other mental adaptations.

There's plenty of evidence that many people have brains which produce what can be classed as religious experiences, though. They are just subjective experiences which people interpret according to their belief systems. My own brain produces odd, subjective experiences but I just interpret them as brain hiccups.

Not all religions even believe in a God.

We're talking about the Christian God in this topic because the insanity relates to two men who were Christians. Other religions like Hinduism, modern Paganism, Buddhism and Taoism are far more complex. They don't have a monotheistic God and some followers can take an atheistic attitude.

Are There Any Atheistic Religions?