Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Straight Hate · 08-15-2002, 07:13 PM

(If you're not familiar with the Stockholm Syndrome, this quick article should get you up to speed: <a href="http://www.yahoodi.com/peace/stockholm.html)" target="_blank">http://www.yahoodi.com/peace/stockholm.html)</a>

Consider the following quote taken from an unnamed message board:

Quote:

...if you really start to see yourself the way God desires that you see yourself, you'll feel as miserable and pathetic as I do. I'm a Christian. I still think bad thoughts. I still hold grudges and hate in my heart. But only by the grace of God, I see what I truly am in His sight and I hate all that I am. So much of everything we do seeks to only to make ourselves look better and feel more important. But the heart of a Christian should seek only to glorify God in everything he/she does. This is the true heart of righteousness; not my heart but I pray for from God each and everyday. Righteous doesnt come from any man, neither is it in any man, apart from the grace of God. We are nothing compared to God; none of us are righteous. Its only God in us that makes us righteous.

Now, is this a no-brainer where all of you just look at me and say "Duh!", or am I connecting dots that simply are not there? I find the similarities between the SS and one common religious mindset very disturbing, and I'm just wondering what you folks have to say on the matter. Have there been any studies or writings on the issue?

echidna · 08-15-2002, 09:14 PM

Well I�ve no qualifications in the field & nor do I have articles, but the opening sentence would strongly indicate clinical depression, while the rest would suggest neurosis.

Neither are unique to theism, but the paragraph definitely illustrates the religious spin on these illnesses.

Stephen T-B · 08-16-2002, 05:07 AM

I think this illustrates the self-loathing which is common to certain strands of religious observance.

Starboy · 08-17-2002, 11:14 AM

I think that the more successful religions have many ways to adapt to the peculiarities of their followers to strengthen their hold. This is just one of many ways it is done.

Starboy

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08-15-2002, 09:14 PM	#2
echidna Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,832	Well I�ve no qualifications in the field & nor do I have articles, but the opening sentence would strongly indicate clinical depression, while the rest would suggest neurosis. Neither are unique to theism, but the paragraph definitely illustrates the religious spin on these illnesses.

08-16-2002, 05:07 AM	#3
Stephen T-B Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 5,878	I think this illustrates the self-loathing which is common to certain strands of religious observance.

08-17-2002, 11:14 AM	#4
Starboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Reality Adventurer Posts: 5,276	I think that the more successful religions have many ways to adapt to the peculiarities of their followers to strengthen their hold. This is just one of many ways it is done. Starboy

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