That same closed minded thought process is why we have so many problems today. I am of sound mind these days, and I have been on a path to revisit my faith and belief in God. Now on that path, I have hit some MAJOR bumps/crossroads, because while reading scripture, and some religious literature, I find myself scoffing at the words, almost in complete defiance, because the spiritual experiences that I TRULY felt in my life were labeled as "manic" episodes by many doctors.

I believe some of it was indeed mania, but since mental health professionals are so quick to slap people with labels, they completely toss aside that a person could be experiencing something REAL and spiritual.

Laurie is absolutely right. We truly do not know what exists out there in this world or beyond in the universe.

I have asked this question many times, and recently stumped my therapist completely with this revelation which he could not give me an answer for:

"If a preacher in the middle of a sermon screams out wildly and passionately that he FEELS the Almighty and the Holy Spirit flowing through him, he HEARS the VOICE of Jesus, and screams wildly and madly, "Hallelujah, Praise Jesus I can HEAR HIM!! AMEN!!" Everyone stands up and screams with passionate joy and glee with tears in their eyes in agreement."

Why is it that this preacher isn't mentally ill? Isn't hearing the Voice of Jesus hearing voices? Why is it that when I was screaming that I heard the Voice of Jesus, Hallelujah Amen! I was quickly thrown into a mental institution? Where is the line drawn between mental illness and spirituality?

Now having said this, I believe if the Divine is allowed to enter, so is a Demon. And honestly all the naysayers can say what they want about it, but the fact still remains that there is a COMPLETELY double standard going on out there.