Hi El Stevereno,

The gist of the discussion so-far, as I see it, is that the mere suggestion that faith (even extreme, all encompassing faith) may be a psychological disorder seems to get those who profess faith into such a froth. The amazing thing to me is that the arguments put forward by the people of faith seem to be along the lines of : 'I've got faith, so faith is not a psychological disorder, and if you suggest that it is, you are insane'. It is as though the very question insults them.

The questions posed in the opening post are directed at the extreme elements and not at those who have a healthy faith that helps them in everyday life.

Dud, none-arguments seem to abound when this question is raised, I am amazed! It's as though I had asked; "Is everyone who has religious faith mentally ill?" The questions (which were not specifically aimed at religious faith) also mention "suicide UFO cults", yet that seems to have been overlooked and the whole emphasis has been shifted to an inferred implication that I, or the author of the article, am trying to say that everyone who has belief in god is insane. To me, that says a lot. Now, when a "faith" becomes so overwhelming that they feel they must commit suicide, could that not be classed as a psychological disorder?

It has been suggested that faith is not an illness, but a symptom. It could also be the case that faith, rather than being a symptom of a disorder, is simply an avenue into the mind, through which these "cults" can get a handle on the thoughts of their followers. It may be like a port on a computer that allows others to access information and data. Or perhaps it's a way that people simply broadcast the fact that their mind is open to suggestions in certain ways. If the mind is open to outside manipulation, then it could be possible for others to implant malicious ideas and pass them off as "beliefs". The people who have comitted suicide on the say-so of a cult leader must, on my opinion have had their thoughts twisted and manipulated. Perhaps research needs to be extended into these "cults" and how they affect the psyche of those involved.

I suppose, it could be looked on like bacteria. We need certain kinds of bacteria in our bodies in certain amounts, otherwise we would die. But if we get the wrong kinds into our bodies, they could kill us or make us seriously ill and disfunctional. It could be the same with "fath". We all need faith in our own abilities, in our families and friends. But when we get the wrong kind of faith - those that would encourage us to become introverted, stubbornly hold on to things that we know have been proven wrong, those that would have us harm ourselves or others, then that kind of faith is no longer healthy, in my opinion.

John