RE: At what point does faith become insanity?
April 30, 2023 at 10:24 pm
(This post was last modified: April 30, 2023 at 11:12 pm by Belacqua.)
(April 30, 2023 at 8:51 pm)Paleophyte Wrote: "Authorities in Florida have revealed that a small pagan cult believes that they can magically transform milk and cookies into the blood and flesh of Ashera, which they then consume to be closer to her..." How loud do you think the outraged shrieking would be?
I wouldn't be shrieking about it, because I don't much get worked up about things like that.
If they sincerely believe there is some transformation of matter going on, I think they're incorrect.
Social norms are largely a product of history. If that sect keeps up its crazy practices for 2000 years and converts billions, it would be a pretty normal social norm.
Quote:Quote:Practicing behavior which is considered entirely normal by the community is not a sign of insanity, though from outside it might look that way.
What a lovely description of some of the worst atrocities that our species has ever perpetrated.
What criteria do you use to rule that a practice considered entirely normal by a large community of people is in fact insane?
I can certainly understand saying that it's a BAD practice. That there are reasons to stop. I can construct arguments why lots of current and former social norms are in fact undesirable. But I don't think that's the same as insane.
Immoral or unwise practices are not necessarily mental illness.
