Freethought & Rationalism Archive

TooBad · 08-30-2002, 11:40 AM

We must be careful to distinguish the reasons for a belief from the causes of a belief. One is a matter of logic, the other is
a matter of psychology, and the two are conceptually independent of one another. To characterize theism as a belief in an
"imaginary friend" is simply a facetious way of pointing out that belief in the real existence of a personal god lacks justification. It is not to suggest that theism is the result of a psychological disorder.

ExTheist · 08-30-2002, 01:53 PM

I think it would be dangerous to force people into therapy just because of an idea they have. And given the current state of things it is theists that have the power to do that to us. I am of the opinion that one must be really delusional to think that white people are any better than any other race, but making people go to therapy will not solve the problem of racism.

[ August 30, 2002: Message edited by: ExTheist ]</p>

never been there · 08-30-2002, 08:14 PM

I think it's like a lot of other behaviour that isn't really consistent with our ideal of a healthy human being - it can be a 'coping mechanism'.

So why do we always want to take away what helps people cope? If being in denial allows someone to make the best of the rest of their life while still fulfilling their duty to their messed-up family, why do we insist on changing that?

08-31-2002, 06:41 AM

If an adult believed in and had a personal relationship with an invisible being named "Flarf" who lived in a magical place called "Blorp" they would be considered crazy and might even get sent off to an asylum.

But if you believe in and have a personal relationship with an invisible being named "God" who lives in a magical place called "Heaven" you're assumed by most people to be a good, decent person.

What an interesting world we live in!

Marduk · 08-31-2002, 07:19 AM

"Should Theists be forced to undergo psychiatric therapy- "imaginary friends", etc.? "

NO! This sounds very Soviet/1984 not to mention creepy. How can a society, on one hand encourage religious belife and then on the other hospitalize those who buy into it???
Religious belief, in case you haven't noticed, is pushed on people by society from day one.

Starboy · 09-01-2002, 10:10 AM

Topic: Should Theists be forced to undergo psychiatric therapy- "imaginary friends", etc.?

If a theist realized they were crazy, why not seek help? I think that is why some theists come here. If it got to the point that the person could no longer function as a healthy human being then why not force them?

Starboy

[ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: Starboy ]</p>

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08-30-2002, 11:40 AM	#11
TooBad Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oblivion, UK Posts: 152	We must be careful to distinguish the reasons for a belief from the causes of a belief. One is a matter of logic, the other is a matter of psychology, and the two are conceptually independent of one another. To characterize theism as a belief in an "imaginary friend" is simply a facetious way of pointing out that belief in the real existence of a personal god lacks justification. It is not to suggest that theism is the result of a psychological disorder.

08-30-2002, 01:53 PM	#12
ExTheist Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 238	I think it would be dangerous to force people into therapy just because of an idea they have. And given the current state of things it is theists that have the power to do that to us. I am of the opinion that one must be really delusional to think that white people are any better than any other race, but making people go to therapy will not solve the problem of racism. [ August 30, 2002: Message edited by: ExTheist ]</p>

08-30-2002, 08:14 PM	#13
never been there Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 2,144	I think it's like a lot of other behaviour that isn't really consistent with our ideal of a healthy human being - it can be a 'coping mechanism'. So why do we always want to take away what helps people cope? If being in denial allows someone to make the best of the rest of their life while still fulfilling their duty to their messed-up family, why do we insist on changing that?

08-31-2002, 06:41 AM	#14
atheist_in_foxhole Guest Posts: n/a	If an adult believed in and had a personal relationship with an invisible being named "Flarf" who lived in a magical place called "Blorp" they would be considered crazy and might even get sent off to an asylum. But if you believe in and have a personal relationship with an invisible being named "God" who lives in a magical place called "Heaven" you're assumed by most people to be a good, decent person. What an interesting world we live in!

08-31-2002, 07:19 AM	#15
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	"Should Theists be forced to undergo psychiatric therapy- "imaginary friends", etc.? " NO! This sounds very Soviet/1984 not to mention creepy. How can a society, on one hand encourage religious belife and then on the other hospitalize those who buy into it??? Religious belief, in case you haven't noticed, is pushed on people by society from day one.

09-01-2002, 10:10 AM	#16
Starboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Reality Adventurer Posts: 5,276	Topic: Should Theists be forced to undergo psychiatric therapy- "imaginary friends", etc.? If a theist realized they were crazy, why not seek help? I think that is why some theists come here. If it got to the point that the person could no longer function as a healthy human being then why not force them? Starboy [ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: Starboy ]</p>

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