I was wandering around, perusing some things when I stumbled on AnswersinGenesis.org. It includes some rather remarkable suppositions. To wit:
By definition, no apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be valid if it contradicts the scriptural record. Of primary importance is the fact that evidence is always subject to interpretation by fallible people who do not possess all information.
Specifically noted are such nonsensical items as
*The days in Genesis do not correspond to geologic ages, but are six [6] consecutive twenty-four [24] hour days of creation.
*Scripture teaches a recent origin for man and the whole creation, spanning approximately 4,000 years from creation to Christ.
*The great Flood of Genesis was an actual historic event, worldwide (global) in its extent and effect.
to cite but a few. Most rational people would argue this set of beliefs is, at best, delusional. And if just a few people adhered to this set of rubbish, they would be considered to have a delusional disorder.
A delusion is defined by the psychiatric profession as "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."
The statements of faith above would certainly appear to meet the criteria of being delusional. Yet, according to the DSM,cultural or religious beliefs held by millions are not considered delusional. "Beliefs that would be considered normal for an individual's religious or cultural background are not delusions."
That statement itself would appear to meet the criteria of delusional.
1 comment:
Yes, I laughed when I read your last sentence. The DSM IS a bit delusional, but taking it from a practical standpoint, nearly every minister, priest, and rabbi would be considered insane or, at least, delusional, and in need of intensive therapy. Actually, this would make a good premise for a book plot. All people of faith would be considered in need of psychiatric help (most Americans!) I know people who insist they've seen angels and others accept that as truth. I bet the angelic believers wouldn't get a free pass if they'd said they'd seen a few tiny devils.
However, I wonder about so many faiths that don't push too hard on the "Bible is all TRUE" side of their dogma. They may be fairly reasonable and they might even inspire members to do good deeds, in which case, I'd hesitate to make disparaging remarks. Also, many people feel connected and like the security of tradition, yet their "faith" may be based completely on the "accident" of their birth.
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