First, people with PTSD and anxiety disorders aren't just imagining things, nor is it "all in their head". People with mental disabilities have been fighting that particularly stubborn bit of stigma for ages.
There is, in most cases, either a chemical or physical (damage) reason for these sorts of disorders. For instance, recent studies show that people suffering PTSD have a smaller region of their brain regulating fear responses.
Comparing people's religious beliefs to someone who suffered severe trauma and has a mental disorder is seriously just insulting to people with mental disorders.
So no, we cannot make the same types of allowances for things that really are made up (and differ from person to person BTW, not just religion to religion), as we do for people who are suffering from a LEGITIMATE ILLNESS!
There is, in most cases, either a chemical or physical (damage) reason for these sorts of disorders. For instance, recent studies show that people suffering PTSD have a smaller region of their brain regulating fear responses.
Comparing people's religious beliefs to someone who suffered severe trauma and has a mental disorder is seriously just insulting to people with mental disorders.
So no, we cannot make the same types of allowances for things that really are made up (and differ from person to person BTW, not just religion to religion), as we do for people who are suffering from a LEGITIMATE ILLNESS!
“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
