While scientific research sometimes produces unpalatable results, it can also be very liberating.
Consider, for example, the research on transexuality. A number of peer-reviewed papers have demonstrated that there are significant ways in which m->f transexual people's brains are similar to female brains but not to male brains. M->f transexuals often say things like 'I'm a woman trapped in a man's body'; what the research is increasingly showing is that this is very literally true. This paves the way for ts being seen for what it is- a biological mix-up requiring surgery, rather than a psychiatric condition requiring therapy. France has recently removed ts from its list of mental illnesses; one can only hope that other nations will follow suit.
If the continuity of religious experience and schizophrenia could be demonstrated, then that would be a blow for religion, sure. And no bad thing imo. But it would also be a blow in favour of greater rights and respect for people who experience mental health problems. If a basically psychopathological condition has resulted in the Hagia Sophia, Chartres Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel and the organ works of Bach, then it would be much more difficult to dismiss or belittle people because of their bizarre beliefs and actions. Bear in mind that 'being crazy' only becomes a problem when it threatens an individual's functionality, or leads to the individual putting themselves or others at risk. I would never advocate the use of coercion on someone (e.g. for treatment) just because they were nuts.
Consider, for example, the research on transexuality. A number of peer-reviewed papers have demonstrated that there are significant ways in which m->f transexual people's brains are similar to female brains but not to male brains. M->f transexuals often say things like 'I'm a woman trapped in a man's body'; what the research is increasingly showing is that this is very literally true. This paves the way for ts being seen for what it is- a biological mix-up requiring surgery, rather than a psychiatric condition requiring therapy. France has recently removed ts from its list of mental illnesses; one can only hope that other nations will follow suit.
If the continuity of religious experience and schizophrenia could be demonstrated, then that would be a blow for religion, sure. And no bad thing imo. But it would also be a blow in favour of greater rights and respect for people who experience mental health problems. If a basically psychopathological condition has resulted in the Hagia Sophia, Chartres Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel and the organ works of Bach, then it would be much more difficult to dismiss or belittle people because of their bizarre beliefs and actions. Bear in mind that 'being crazy' only becomes a problem when it threatens an individual's functionality, or leads to the individual putting themselves or others at risk. I would never advocate the use of coercion on someone (e.g. for treatment) just because they were nuts.
He who desires to worship God must harbor no childish illusions about the matter but bravely renounce his liberty and humanity.
Mikhail Bakunin
A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything
Friedrich Nietzsche
Mikhail Bakunin
A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything
Friedrich Nietzsche
