do you think people who believe in god have a underlying mental illness or symptom?

[leodeo]

I used to be a a Christian and I honestly would be really happy if there was a god that loved us and watched over us, but after all these years of bad things happening and people just telling me "god has a plan" it all seems like hypocritical bullshit.

So now its pretty obvious there really is no hope things can get better u just gotta make the best of what u got until u have the guts to go in the garage with ur car running or time makes you old and takes u away.

[Darkstar]

I don't think that religion is inherently linked with mental illness, but I do think some mental illnesses can lead to religion. I'm undecided about those who speak in tongues, etc. Is "crazy" the same as "mentally ill"? People who say that god told them to kill some guy who was possessed by Satan are definitely mental, though.

let me know if this video scares u

---

Very much. Those poor kids never had a chance.

---

[FlyingNarwhal]

It may well be that their underlying symptom is being overly optimistic. Optimistic that there is a nice, caring, and just god, that evil people will ultimately have to pay for their actions, that there is a life after this one.

[Chad32]

Sure, and it would be nice if there were fairies and unicorns too, and the unicorns would carry them the across the rainbow to reach the leprechaun's pot of gold.

[Angrboda]

I don't think that religion is inherently linked with mental illness, but I do think some mental illnesses can lead to religion. I'm undecided about those who speak in tongues, etc. Is "crazy" the same as "mentally ill"? People who say that god told them to kill some guy who was possessed by Satan are definitely mental, though.

I think the speaking in tongues and snake handling people are well within the range of normal. Humans are highly suggestible, and will do many remarkable things under the power of suggestion. Watch the performance of a good mentalist like Derren Brown and you'll see perfectly ordinary people induced to do things they wouldn't normally do. Note that even the speaking in tongues people don't evidence abnormal behaviors outside the context of the suggestion of their religion. Pentecostals don't take up flossing their sinuses like Hindu yogis, and Hindu yogis don't take up speaking in tongues. It's all couched within the norms provided within a cultural group, in imitation of the behavior of others. That's suggestion, not craziness.