Serious question.

*Mind Explodes*

The city I am from had an interesting group of men. Three men believed they were Jesus Christ in one mental institute. Each of them believed the other was a false prophet or God.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thr...s_of_Ypsilanti

[neil w]

Thanks for that Ody, it is disturbing that a health professional would carry out such an experiment but can understand how temptation got the better of him. the 60s were a weird time.

Originally Posted by neil w

Thanks for that Ody, it is disturbing that a health professional would carry out such an experiment but can understand how temptation got the better of him. the 60s were a weird time.

Oh the good o' days that my grandfather talks about, where homosexuality were considered a disorder. It's tough to forgive England to what they did to Alan Turing who was a war hero that cracked the impossible German code ENIGMA.

The health profession has it's dark areas, I agree. Zimbardo for example. That guy isn't even human in my eyes.

As for Jesus being Schizophrenic, my father believes he is part fo some divine plan among the angels. However, he believes people are out to get them and isolates himself from even his family. From what I've read in the bible, at least in Matthew, he seemed to think clearly. Maybe over time he became a myth and not a man anymore. I don't know these things and I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I personally am an optimistic agnostic, and doubt plagues my every belief, but that's what makes me feel human and not hubristic.

[RisuNeko]

I say probably yes. Jesus helped spread psychotic delusions amongst wide portions of the world. Good for him.

It would also make sense why he was just a carpenter until he hit around the age when schizophrenia tends to kick in.

Then again I know very little about Christianity, so who knows. And really WHO knows, we kind of can't know at this point, but it's an interesting hypothesis. I hadn't thought of that.

Originally Posted by RisuNeko

I say probably yes. Jesus helped spread psychotic delusions amongst wide portions of the world. Good for him.

It would also make sense why he was just a carpenter until he hit around the age when schizophrenia tends to kick in.

Then again I know very little about Christianity, so who knows. And really WHO knows, we kind of can't know at this point, but it's an interesting hypothesis. I hadn't thought of that.

Yea, who knows? i think he was just a 'simple' teacher/healer, part of the Essene tradition, that had a simple message of truth about the soul & higher spiritual Worlds - whose story became very twisted & convoluted, made part of the existing religion, & into a supernatural fantastical story. Anyone in their right mind doesn't believe the Bible literally.

i'm very aware of Not discussing religion here. The question was serious in relation to psychosis/schizophrenia & how many 'religious' figures go through a kind of schizophrenic process in their life - from the pov of wrestling with the psyche/unconscious/mind/inner World, & general themes of what happens in a severe psychotic break - leading to a transformation of consciousness & resolution to the experience? (in some cases a resolution & in other cases not).

The stories of Buddha/Jesus/Mohamed & others certainly all ring true that it sounds like they all went through some kind of psychotic/schizophrenic process that appears in some cases to have been resolved (& in other cases not to the same degree). Religious/spiritual writings seem littered with people that very much appear to be mad.

There are very often religious/spiritual themes to psychosis/schizophrenia. &/or people often become fixated with the subject. i've had a lot of interest in all these areas - & have explored a lot of comparative religion & spirituality.

i'm Not saying any of this for a debate on religion - simply the interest in pointing out what the relationship is with these areas with schizophrenia. i think it is an interesting & important question.

To generalise - there does very much appear to be what can be considered to be psychotic delusion & in contrast sober/rational spiritual practise/belief.

i've very much had in the past severe/extreme religious delusions. But at the same time have also experienced what i consider to be genuine spiritual experiences. i suppose to a degree some of the lines are blurred? & it's hard to separate out, but for some people being able to resolve this is part of their healing & recovery.

It's maybe a question that doesn't have a categorical, nor entirely rational answer?

[Sinking Feeling]

I asked a similar question either here or some other forum board and the thread was closed after about 6 posts. The way I posed the question was a bit different.

I asked, what is the difference between being delusional and religious?

Both can hear voices, see signs, feel inspired, believe God picked them for a mission, so what is the difference I asked.

I suppose my question was taken as being sarcastic but I was being sincerely seriously honest.

Originally Posted by Sinking Feeling

I asked a similar question either here or some other forum board and the thread was closed after about 6 posts. The way I posed the question was a bit different.

I asked, what is the difference between being delusional and religious?

Both can hear voices, see signs, feel inspired, believe God picked them for a mission, so what is the difference I asked.

I suppose my question was taken as being sarcastic but I was being sincerely seriously honest.

i think it's all a very valid question.

i suppose in one sense part of the difference is with schizophrenia there is often a lot of psychological/emotional distress & loss of functioning - the experiences could be considered to be bad. & also schizophrenia isn't socially/culturally sanctioned/supported/accepted - whereas other forms of experience/belief/behaviour are.

We're in very murky waters, that a lot of people have considered & written on. i don't really agree with Szasz, but he pointed all this out with his life work that the entire psychiatry business was manufactured. 'Insanity - The idea & it's consequences' was about his best book.

Originally Posted by Apotheosis

schizophrenia isn't socially/culturally sanctioned/supported/accepted - whereas other forms of experience/belief/behaviour are.

i think that this is the key point. People may hold some very strange & unusual ideas/beliefs & there can be some very odd/unhealthy behaviours, but there are areas of consensus - where other people believe/think/say/do the same/similar things in generally socially accepted/sanctioned ways.

A good example is Westboro Baptist Church.

[TheWell]

Hello All,
I am closing this thread while the team discusses if it is against the Community Guidelines.

Limit your direct discussion of politics and religion, as people usually hold pretty strong opinions about these topics (you can discuss spirituality in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Support)

Please do not open another thread on this topic.

[DocJohn]

We do ask members to limit their religious discussions in our community because people hold such strong views on these kinds of topics. However, I see the OP posted the question in their own social group, so I'll direct you to carry on the discussion there if you wish:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/group...-approach.html