I feel a little bit bad about pushing the idea of extreme religious experience as evidence of a psychosis spectrum disorder because I don't want to use someone's mental health to criticise them as people. If religious belief gives them the strength to cope with their symptoms then what right do I have to kick away one of their coping mechanisms? Same goes for your average theist who has grown up in a religious culture and who finds contentment and strength from their faith but do not feel compelled to spread it to others. After all, we all need some way to find meaning in our lives. Personally, as an atheist and a scientist who needs to understand how brains function it is a line of questioning that I need to pursue.
But if someone is trying to spread their delusion to others by using emotional blackmail with the threat of their god's punishment because they themselves are experiencing a form of psychosis then I think it needs to be called out for what it is.
But if someone is trying to spread their delusion to others by using emotional blackmail with the threat of their god's punishment because they themselves are experiencing a form of psychosis then I think it needs to be called out for what it is.
