is there a such thing as healthy religious beliefs

[xr34p3rx]

I think it's healthy to not have any religious beliefs. Does that count?

well i think if it doesnt hurt anyone mentally/physically, and as long as you keep it to yourself, its fine. But im my opinion, as long as it doesnt make you delusional...

[OGirly]

Any sort of delusional thinking is unhealthy in my book. I've been institutionalised for delusional thinking...and I was told it was delusional because I had no sound evidence or reason to believe my delusion; and the doctors were right. Why do we treat religious people any differently?

[tor]

Any sort of delusional thinking is unhealthy in my book. I've been institutionalised for delusional thinking...and I was told it was delusional because I had no sound evidence or reason to believe my delusion; and the doctors were right. Why do we treat religious people any differently?

Because they are the majority.

[Phatt Matt s]

If Christians actually followed what Jesus said in the bible, like helping the poor instead of amassing wealth, living in peace, and forgiving people, and loving everyone as they love themselves, that would be healthy and I'd have more respect for Christianity. Unfortunately all that often gets swept aside in favor of greed, bigotry, and intolerance.

preach it bro!

[Hezekiah]

If Christians actually followed what Jesus said in the bible, like helping the poor instead of amassing wealth, living in peace, and forgiving people, and loving everyone as they love themselves, that would be healthy

Let's not confuse the ideal aesthetic appeal of a belief with whether it is healthy. Such an idealized version of christianity would not be very healthy for its own followers. It would contribut much to their being massacred, enslaved, or forceably converted, by the historic version of christainity, unless the idealized version were to make a mockery of itself by forcebly suppressing the rise of the many possible equivalents of the historic version of christianity.

What seems good is not good if it does not help itself prosper in the real world.

I would argue that that which is good does not rely on self-interest, but rather something deeper than self-interest. I agree with Doubting Thomas and add, that the ideal religious practice would be that which recognizes the right people have to believe what they please, and for the interested mind it would gladly share why it hold to its belief. That way respect and reason on both sides. A lot to ask for, I know, but I hold those of the same faith to a higher standard. Especially in light of all the misrepresentations and misconceptions some who claim to be under it seem to have about the religion itself.

[Phatt Matt s]

What a mess! If there were a God that spoke when spoken to would u follow him provided that he wasnt an asshole?

[Chas]

Short answer: no.

[Faith No More]

I would argue that that which is good does not rely on self-interest, but rather something deeper than self-interest. I agree with Doubting Thomas and add, that the ideal religious practice would be that which recognizes the right people have to believe what they please, and for the interested mind it would gladly share why it hold to its belief. That way respect and reason on both sides. A lot to ask for, I know, but I hold those of the same faith to a higher standard. Especially in light of all the misrepresentations and misconceptions some who claim to be under it seem to have about the religion itself.

The problem with Christianity is that a strict interpretation of its doctrine doesn't allow for others to believe as they please. Believing in something else means you deserve an eternity of torment, and it's hard not to be pushy about your beliefs when that is the consequence. Its very nature requires it to be thrust upon the unwilling.

[Phatt Matt s]

I would argue that that which is good does not rely on self-interest, but rather something deeper than self-interest. I agree with Doubting Thomas and add, that the ideal religious practice would be that which recognizes the right people have to believe what they please, and for the interested mind it would gladly share why it hold to its belief. That way respect and reason on both sides. A lot to ask for, I know, but I hold those of the same faith to a higher standard. Especially in light of all the misrepresentations and misconceptions some who claim to be under it seem to have about the religion itself.

The problem with Christianity is that a strict interpretation of its doctrine doesn't allow for others to believe as they please. Believing in something else means you deserve an eternity of torment, and it's hard not to be pushy about your beliefs when that is the consequence. Its very nature requires it to be thrust upon the unwilling.

Nice I esp like the last two verses

[psychoslice]

There is healthy and unhealthy beliefs in all belief systems, even those who don't believe can be unhealthy, religious or atheist can be unhealthy, people are people no matter who they are, and not one is perfect.