religion with psychosis

What are your guys thoughts on the effects from religion on someone who is suffering from mental illness. I'm sure there is some good effects such as support group and community effects but as far as core religion it could have problems interpreted. Someone with a imagination could imagine some of the beliefs from religion such as drinking blood of god, praying and other things. Alot of people hear voices and they may interpret it as God and orders from him.

s

Interesting. I guess it depends on the religion. I am Eastern Orthodox Christian. Without going into a bunch of theology, I was taught not to trust any vision or emotion etc when praying or otherwise. That God transcends those things and that those types of experiences could be a form of "prelest" (deception/lie). This teaching is well over 1000 years old.

hiii

See i think religion is just style of living life in a different way. It is just like one type of discipline, so you can control yourself from doing bad deeds. In every religion, there are only one god. Human should follow him/her religion very carefully.Religion may affect person's psychology, because it varies. You know very well there are many religions in this world.

Thnks

I agree it depends on the religion.

Although the 12-Step Program is not considered a religion, it is certainly a practical spiritually-based approach to life. It helps people face themselves, the things done to them, and the things they've done to others, requires amends to be made when at all possible, enables forgiveness of self and others...builds character and maturity.

To me, the 12-Steps encompass the true definition of Christianity.

No muss, no fuss, no frills, no church hierarchy, no judgement, just work to be the best, most kind, loving, and honest person one can be.

It has helped many people address mental problems and have happy, loving, productive lives.

Most religions are flawed with fear, judgement, cliques, castes, and loss of individuality in an effort to conform. I believe these flaws can be harmful for folks with mental illness.

"Most religions are flawed with fear, judgement, cliques, castes, and loss of individuality in an effort to conform. I believe these flaws can be harmful for folks with mental illness. "

I so so agree-- but would also add the practice of misogyny.

this is a quote from dictionary.com--
under the definition of misogyny: Hatred of women: "Every organized patriarchal religion works overtime to contribute its own brand of misogyny"

just typing this about "religion" has me literally shaking as I type. ..... (I don't think "mentally ill"is fitting-- more like mentally scarred)
i don't understand why men wrote a whole book including it
and throughout history have so so hated women..... don't think I'll ever understand.......

I know just thinking of "religion" can shoot my anxiety through the roof.

mariposa

While there is definitely "authentic/sincere" religion and spirituality that leads people to be more open and accepting and compassionate towards others, religion is also an effective way to try and eradicate ambiguity in life. In fact, rather than the religion being the driving force, I often feel that people use religion to support their own "natural" inclinations -- so those that are open and loving to begin with find religion to help motivate them through dark times, and those who are normally judgmental and self-protective will use religion to protect themselves.

Put another way, the religious tenets quantify behavior and beliefs and remove people from the natural tension that occurs when wrestling with complex morality. (see Soren Kierkegaard for a description of the "Fear and trembling" that comes with accepting uncertainty in life.)

So people who become highly anxious in the absence of structure or certainty can sometimes use religion to abuse themselves and others in order to bolster their own sense of security.

I've found some people whose religion drives them to be open, but more who have used it as an excuse to judge or exclude.

(And I hate saying that, because I've been involved in the Christian church all my life... but honestly, the Church has usually been the most dangerous place, in my experience, to be open about one's psychological and emotional struggles; people are just far too tempted to try to categorize one morally, rather than viewing one's distress as a practical situation to be worked through, and then try to control behavior rather than merely being present with the afflicted.)

In any case, Jung said that neuroses are usually triggered by the avoidance of legitimate suffering; religion can play a role in this, it can be used to prevent someone suffering distress from truly examining their own issues.

As far as misogyny goes, which I won't really address here: There is a wonderful book describing one woman's break from Christian patriarchy, and I highly recommend it: Sue Monk Kidd's "The Dance of the Dissident Daughter." She was very brave and honest to write it.

Ravine wrote:In every religion, there are only one god.

that's not true. A religion can have multiple Gods. Just think of the old Egyptians where they had Ra, Hathor, Bat, Horus, Osiris, etc

at its basic primary form/intention, religion is a way of explaining things that humans can't due to natural limitations, even if the explanation may not be logical/rational and proven. Its secondary purpose is to control things/humans. In a very simplified form... "Live like it was written by "God" or suffer the consequences" which will push some people info fear and make them follow what religion dictates, believing that they'll be accepted by God or whatever for behaving accordingly as he intended to.

Religion in mentally ill people can have negative or positive effects (or both), based on the person, religion, how much he believes in it and how he believes in it and probably a few other things I can't think of now.

mariposa wrote:"Most religions are flawed with fear, judgement, cliques, castes, and loss of individuality in an effort to conform. I believe these flaws can be harmful for folks with mental illness. "

I so so agree-- but would also add the practice of misogyny.

this is a quote from dictionary.com--
under the definition of misogyny: Hatred of women: "Every organized patriarchal religion works overtime to contribute its own brand of misogyny"

just typing this about "religion" has me literally shaking as I type. ..... (I don't think "mentally ill"is fitting-- more like mentally scarred)
i don't understand why men wrote a whole book including it
and throughout history have so so hated women..... don't think I'll ever understand.......

I know just thinking of "religion" can shoot my anxiety through the roof.

mariposa

You're so right, mariposa. For a trip back to the 50's, this evil, corrupt very small town in which I now live is a living example.
Mysogny abounds. And the churches which don't allow women ushers, or speakers--don't get me started.

Thanks,

caroline

yuk-- I'm glad I don't live in your town- poor Caroline.

I find it enlightening that you also see things as justly as I.

Whero--
I also think that religion can be an ego trip for a man that wants to brain wash followers(a psychopath or narcissist)-- like Jim Jones, David Koresch and presently-- Wayne Bent. All these men saw to it to brain wash the weaker members.....
and then often, demand that all members must die..... I think in these situations religion has enabled(because of it's structure) a mentally ill person to abuse many members and also lead to their death.

I'm fearful of organized religion-- I won't EVER trust it. It is, in my view, a way for a small group of men(or sometimes one man) to control a larger group of people, and to allow ideas of superiority-- like: you have accepted and think this or that and so therefore your kind will only be allowed at a certain place..... this kind of thinking to me is akin to a prejudice mindset-- exclusivity, IMO, is the backbone of evil.

mariposa