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Do you believe religion has negative mental repercussions?

It appears that extreme religious delusion poses some threat to the sanity of the human mind.

Those who are no longer with religion say that they still have flashbacks to believing in "god", even sometimes talking to "him" when they are lonely, even praying in some sort. I myself no longer do this but the idea of god still drifts to me sometimes... I was with religion for 12 years of my life, it's very difficult to get those ideas out of my mind.

I'm guessing religion possibly has a (likely permanent) negative effect on the human brain, depending on how long the believer stays with the religion.

If you look at folks who are still deeply deluded with religion, they appear to be in some other kind of state than we are, almost as if they aren't entirely sure of what they are saying. It's very strange. In this case, I'm guessing religion does the job it was intended to do - to turn people in tho sheepish followers who do not dare question the validity of their beliefs.

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Permalink Reply by Tagg Gnostic on May 8, 2009 at 7:57pm

religon is detrimental because it is the ultimate cop out,
anything/everything is "God's Will", taking all personal
responsibility out of the equation, it's philosophical welfare.
nothing is your fault, once you believe that anything can
be justified...

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Permalink Reply by Brian Gislason on August 7, 2011 at 1:39pm

Are there any clinical studies that show a link between religion and psychological problems?

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Permalink Reply by Derek Nadler on August 8, 2011 at 7:35pm

A good friend of mine from high school committed suicide at the young age of 18. I think if his particular case were studied, you'd find that years of religious indoctrination and guilt fomented by his parents led him to rebel against his own human impulses, which in turn led to some form DSM-IV diagnosable mental disorder. So yes, I think religion has vast negative mental repercussions. He pulled the trigger himself, but religion gave him the gun, metaphorically speaking.

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Permalink Reply by Kasey Kort on August 11, 2011 at 11:36am

It's hard to kill an idea, but easier to kill yourself. Religion CAN (if you take it seriously) make you hugely guilty, and lead you to the most outrageous ends to 'deal' with it. Over time I believe it can mentally effect you in a negative way because of this really negative view you can have of yourself.

I think certain aspects of religion; the ethics especially, can be of great value. However, it goes too far when you can't be comfortable with who you are;even with your family or friends, because the bible 'condemns' you for it, even if it causes no harm to anyone.

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Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on August 16, 2011 at 9:27pm

My brother committed suicide at 19 and was an atheist. He was always in a dark place in his mind. I contemplate throwing out his poems that look too deep into his mental state. On another note, I am sure religion is a huge component to why others end their life so maybe it somehow did in my brother's case?

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Permalink Reply by booklover on August 11, 2011 at 7:08pm

I was never in, but I have to feel the effects of it. Like Presidents who pray to 'god' for answers and say 'god' told them this or that and then act on it, etc.

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Permalink Reply by SecularCortex13.x on August 16, 2011 at 2:17pm

Pen (of pen n teller) was just on NPR 91.3fm here in flordah
he has a new book and stated his opinion that not all religious folks are nuts
mention of not all wars being religion based as well...