Posted: Jan 01, 2017 4:55 pm
I apologize in advance for resurrecting this zombie, but I couldn't believe after 4 pages of responses, nobody really hit on the irony of the poll..
I'll preface this by pointing out the poll doesn't define "mental" or "psychological condition." It seems some are using a "clinical diagnosis" as the definition and some are using a self-diagnosis. But, I argue that reality define the terms and the DSM-5 already exists to do just that. To some extent, the clinical and self-diagnosis (to a lesser degree) are based on the DSM already.
If we look up the DSM definition for Delusional Disorder we will easily recognize the theist. However, politically unable and unwilling to call religion a delusion, the religious exception (noted in text below) is allowed provided it is a mass delusion (culturally accepted). From my experience with theists, it is personally impossible to acknowledge their belief anymore than I'd acknowledge the belief that someone were abducted by aliens, had their organs removed, studied and reinserted before being returned to their bedroom. Based on this, I would argue that theists are 100% "mental."
If we are afraid to call theism what it is, reason will remain subordinate to it, imo. I find it appalling that religion gets a pass when it comes to diagnosing mental disorder.
I'll preface this by pointing out the poll doesn't define "mental" or "psychological condition." It seems some are using a "clinical diagnosis" as the definition and some are using a self-diagnosis. But, I argue that reality define the terms and the DSM-5 already exists to do just that. To some extent, the clinical and self-diagnosis (to a lesser degree) are based on the DSM already.
If we look up the DSM definition for Delusional Disorder we will easily recognize the theist. However, politically unable and unwilling to call religion a delusion, the religious exception (noted in text below) is allowed provided it is a mass delusion (culturally accepted). From my experience with theists, it is personally impossible to acknowledge their belief anymore than I'd acknowledge the belief that someone were abducted by aliens, had their organs removed, studied and reinserted before being returned to their bedroom. Based on this, I would argue that theists are 100% "mental."
A delusion is a belief that is held with strong conviction despite evidence disproving it that is stronger than any evidence supporting it. It is distinct from an erroneous belief caused by incomplete information (misconception or misunderstanding), deficient memory (confabulation) or incorrect perception (illusion). The psychiatrist and philosopher Karl Jaspers proposed 3 criteria for delusional beliefs in 1913: certainty (the belief is held with absolute conviction), incorrigibility (the belief cannot be changed with any proof to the contrary) and impossibility or falsity (the belief cannot be true) (Jaspers, 1967). Delusions are associated with a variety of mental and neurological disorders, but are of diagnostic importance in the psychotic disorders.
...
Munro identified 10 characteristics of delusions (Munro, 1999). The patient expresses the delusional belief(s) with unusual force and persistence, and the belief or beliefs exert and inordinate effect on the patient’s life, often altering or dominating it. Despite profound conviction about the delusion, the patient is often secretive or suspicious in discussing it. Delusional patients tend to be oversensitive and humorless, especially regarding the delusion. The belief is central to the patient’s existence, and questioning it elicits an inappropriately strong emotional reaction. The belief is nevertheless unlikely, and not in keeping with the patient’s social, cultural or religious background. The patient is highly invested emotionally in the belief, and other elements of the psyche may be overwhelmed. If the belief is acted upon, abnormal behavior may result which is out of character for the patient, but which may be understandable in light of the delusion; the belief and behavior are felt to be uncharacteristic by those who know the patient.
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If we are afraid to call theism what it is, reason will remain subordinate to it, imo. I find it appalling that religion gets a pass when it comes to diagnosing mental disorder.