Religion and the mentally unstable

[Edwardo Piet]

When I was in church there were a fair number of damaged people.
Damaged emotionally and mentally.

The church made them feel welcome, wanted, useful and forgiven.

Does the church attract more than it's fair proportion of unstable people? And if it does, can it be argued that it is doing a useful thing in giving them a sense of purpose. Even if that purpose is false

(This thread prompted by witnessing the implosion of Terry Burton on the Raytractors blog. I presume you've been following it, Adrian)

Yes I can see how religion can help comfort people mentally. AT LEAST in the short-run.
But isn't it possible that also in some or even many cases, in the long(er) run - it could make them worse?