Freethought & Rationalism Archive

GeoTheo · 08-30-2002, 08:31 AM

I see this concept bandied about here occasianally and was wondering how widespread it was.

frostymama · 08-30-2002, 08:39 AM

Are you serious?

I do think that some of the more "out there" fundamentalists would benefit from a psych evaluation. I also consider some of the treatment of their children based on their doctrine to be abusive... at least emotionally.

The last thing we need is more fundies with persecution complexes. That is exactly what you would get if you tried to force them to have psych evals (even if they might need it).

OwnRules · 08-30-2002, 08:45 AM

I'd say anyone with "imaginary friends," theist or not, could be said to be showing signs of delusions. However, I also think one needs to take into account the extent to which each of those individuals actually 'listens' to their imaginary friends. IOW, its a case by case scenario.

But yeah, almost by default, theists start off with a "handicap"

MrDarwin · 08-30-2002, 08:48 AM

I think a general rule of thumb is whether the person poses a threat to himself or to others.

Let's ask basically the same the question from a different perspective: if a Christian claimed (and clearly believed) that God had instructed him to kill his own child, should we (society) allow him to do it, or should we prevent it?

How about if this Christian claimed God had instructed him to cut off one of his child's fingers?

OwnRules · 08-30-2002, 08:51 AM

PS-BTW, I hadn't noticed the 'forced' part of your OP. People in general should only be forced to undergo psychiatric evaluation is they become a danger to themselves of others.

A guy wearing a sandwich-board preaching about the end of the world, might be really annoying, but as long as he doesn't actually smack someone upside the head with the boards, hey...it's his party!

bluefugue · 08-30-2002, 09:05 AM

Theists shouldn't be forced to "undergo" anything. I sincerely doubt whether such an odious idea is widespread at all. At least I hope it isn't. The war of theists vs. atheists -- in which I am firmly on the anti-theist side -- must only be fought in the arena of debate. Nowhere else -- not physical coercion, not political coercion, not psychiatric coercion.

frostymama · 08-30-2002, 09:11 AM

Heck lots of parents cut bits off their kids because of religious beliefs. It is called circumsision.

beoba · 08-30-2002, 10:10 AM

GT: All I have to say is "huh?"

I guess my answer is "no"

Eudaimonist · 08-30-2002, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeoTheo:
<strong>I see this concept bandied about here occasianally and was wondering how widespread it was.</strong>

I guess this question is essentially the old "Are Christians mentally disturbed simply for being Christian?" My answer is "no".

However, in some extreme cases this may be true. But I would not ask the government to use coercion to mandate psychiatric therapy unless a guilty verdict was lawfully delivered in a court of law for a crime.

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

christ-on-a-stick · 08-30-2002, 11:34 AM

The bottom line to me - people have every right to be deluded as long as they don't hurt anyone else (or themselves in some circumstances).

My super-fundy mom hates it when I say that (refer to her beliefs as delusions).

It does seem hyprocritical to me that in our society it's perfectly fine to poke fun at, say, people who believe they've been abducted by UFO's, but if you call someone's religious beliefs ridiculous or silly you're being "disrespectful".

The way I see it people have every right to believe crazy stuff. I respect their *right to believe* crazy stuff. Doesn't mean that I have to "respect" the crazy stuff itself and not call it crazy!!!

08-30-2002, 08:31 AM	#1
GeoTheo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bemidji Posts: 1,197	Should Theists be forced to undergo psychiatric therapy- "imaginary friends", etc.? I see this concept bandied about here occasianally and was wondering how widespread it was.

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08-30-2002, 08:39 AM	#2
frostymama Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Georgia USA Posts: 927	Are you serious? I do think that some of the more "out there" fundamentalists would benefit from a psych evaluation. I also consider some of the treatment of their children based on their doctrine to be abusive... at least emotionally. The last thing we need is more fundies with persecution complexes. That is exactly what you would get if you tried to force them to have psych evals (even if they might need it).

08-30-2002, 08:45 AM	#3
OwnRules Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tropical living Posts: 16	I'd say anyone with "imaginary friends," theist or not, could be said to be showing signs of delusions. However, I also think one needs to take into account the extent to which each of those individuals actually 'listens' to their imaginary friends. IOW, its a case by case scenario. But yeah, almost by default, theists start off with a "handicap"

08-30-2002, 08:48 AM	#4
MrDarwin Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 4,140	I think a general rule of thumb is whether the person poses a threat to himself or to others. Let's ask basically the same the question from a different perspective: if a Christian claimed (and clearly believed) that God had instructed him to kill his own child, should we (society) allow him to do it, or should we prevent it? How about if this Christian claimed God had instructed him to cut off one of his child's fingers?

08-30-2002, 08:51 AM	#5
OwnRules Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tropical living Posts: 16	PS-BTW, I hadn't noticed the 'forced' part of your OP. People in general should only be forced to undergo psychiatric evaluation is they become a danger to themselves of others. A guy wearing a sandwich-board preaching about the end of the world, might be really annoying, but as long as he doesn't actually smack someone upside the head with the boards, hey...it's his party!

08-30-2002, 09:05 AM	#6
bluefugue Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,427	Theists shouldn't be forced to "undergo" anything. I sincerely doubt whether such an odious idea is widespread at all. At least I hope it isn't. The war of theists vs. atheists -- in which I am firmly on the anti-theist side -- must only be fought in the arena of debate. Nowhere else -- not physical coercion, not political coercion, not psychiatric coercion.

08-30-2002, 09:11 AM	#7
frostymama Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Georgia USA Posts: 927	Heck lots of parents cut bits off their kids because of religious beliefs. It is called circumsision.

08-30-2002, 10:10 AM	#8
beoba Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 699	GT: All I have to say is "huh?" I guess my answer is "no"

08-30-2002, 11:34 AM	#10
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	The bottom line to me - people have every right to be deluded as long as they don't hurt anyone else (or themselves in some circumstances). My super-fundy mom hates it when I say that (refer to her beliefs as delusions). It does seem hyprocritical to me that in our society it's perfectly fine to poke fun at, say, people who believe they've been abducted by UFO's, but if you call someone's religious beliefs ridiculous or silly you're being "disrespectful". The way I see it people have every right to believe crazy stuff. I respect their right to believe crazy stuff. Doesn't mean that I have to "respect" the crazy stuff itself and not call it crazy!!!

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