Isn't religion psychologically unhealthy?

There are plenty of applications where religion could be considering as psychologically damaging. I am interested in discussing the different ways it damages.
For one, I think it is not healthy to believe that 24/7, some conscious being is watching and judging your every thought and action, especially when you consider the broad spectrum of what is considered wrong by religious standards.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on May 7, 2012 at 4:42pm

Do they think this 'god' watches them in bed, or in the bathroom? I would feel creeped-out if I thought that.  I think they just don't think.  I think they just live in their own little world and for a lot of people, the not thinking part of it lets them go through life seemingly well-adjusted and happy.  They can't be very deep-thinkers though I would THink, lol.  If you use reason, I just don't see any way to come to the logical conclusion that what religion teaches is true or even good.  They just believe the good parts and ignore the bad ones.  I think some people are into religion where it damages them, and some are on a lighter-note, going happily through life, ignoring bad stuff.

Permalink Reply by booklover on May 18, 2012 at 9:30pm

Maybe!!! ;)

Permalink Reply by Colin O'flanagan Leahy on May 18, 2012 at 6:41pm

Yes Michael, I think extremist type religions create permanent damage to the individuals that have been exposed to it on many fronts. However if it were not for the extreme nature of the religion' you may not have felt compelled to further research which may be what brought you to atheism in the first place, so be gratefull for that. Also as in my experience so far one is able to repair the damage moving forward.

Permalink Reply by Michael OL on May 18, 2012 at 8:30pm

Some people would be deeply annoyed at having "some one" incessantly watch them.  Others would regard the "watcher" as a benevolent parent, and are persuaded that a moment not watched is a moment in peril.  Still others might think of the watcher-god not as snooper or a parent, but as a passive resource available 24/7 on demand.

For most of us on this board, being constantly watched - especially by a supposedly omnipotent, omniscient being - would be not merely creepy, but stultifying.  If I am always being observed and guided, none of my actions is really my own.  Autonomy becomes stunted, diluted and ultimately meaningless.  But for most people in the world - for most are religious! - having a big daddy in the sky offers a welcome feeling of security, a bulwark against a cruel and impersonal world.

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on June 9, 2012 at 1:42pm

I've even felt that sensation towards my lovers.

Permalink Reply by Michael Black on May 18, 2012 at 11:32pm

I don't think anyone really believes that their god is watching them 24/7.  If they did, there would be a lot less despicable behavior.  It is mostly lip-service given by people that are terrified by the complete cessation of their existence after they die.  

In my opinion, religion's greatest shortcoming is that religion stunts people's growth psychologically.  We already have enough problems without having people circumvent reality with publicly accepted mythologies.

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on May 19, 2012 at 3:20am

indeed. 'but the kids gotta believe'
dumbest cop out shit i ever heard... from an exsatanist go figure; honest!
aaaaanyhew

this is gonna be a doozie!
https://www.facebook.com/events/454273177919888

Permalink Reply by toriauru on May 19, 2012 at 12:05pm

I believe that religion is unhealthy in the messages that some preachers send out:  snap those wrists of boys that are showing "signs of gayness".  Slap those daughters who are acting like tomboys.  Shun those who are different because of sexuality, race, colour, whatever else you want to shun.  It's just sad the amount of garbage that Christians and Jews and Muslims believe from their holy men.  Terribly sad that they can't be loving, forgiving, and accepting of diversity.

Permalink Reply by Ramon Martorell on May 19, 2012 at 4:25pm

No Michael... religion, per se, is not unhealthy, I believe it is the other way around, religion attracts people that are psychologically unhealthy... No basically healthy mind, this is inquisitive and thoughtful, will keep itself in the childlike state of magical thinking. I think that we have to sepparte Religion (capital R) the organized fraud, from religion (small r) the beliefs of a person. The first is dangerous, the second not.

Permalink Reply by Stuart Jeremy Oxley on May 21, 2012 at 11:16pm
Religion is psychologically damaging if you realize the truth. With me, it lead to bitterness and an intense hate of religious belief. It leaves the same wound as if you had been conned out of your life savings, that is if you were a devoted believer and made important life choices as a result.
It is more damaging to everyone who disagrees with the given religion. Many religions are very good at bullying and persecuting those who don't share their particular fairy stories.
Permalink Reply by John Aultman on May 22, 2012 at 9:22am

Yes some can such as David Koresh and his followers or Jim Jones who's followers committed suicide on his orders or the Catholic Church which hid and protected pedophile priests for decades and blamed the victims or the Radical Islamist who follow the dictates of their Mullahs to kill people for drawing a picture of Muhammad.  

I agree with John D that many factors play into why a person believes and supports the dogma of their religion especially when it's obvious to us that it's dehumanizing, immoral, homophobic, anti-science, anti-education and the list goes on.  Most of the Christians I know tend to ignore or try to rationalize their non-Christian behavior through the teachings of their religion and seldom see it as hypocritical or see the negative image it presents to others.

  

 

Permalink Reply by John Aultman on May 22, 2012 at 10:04am

Here is an example of a typical Fundamentalist Christian Minister (Baptist) giving his Sunday Sermon in North Carolina. Notice that the Minister needs a lesson in English grammar and listen to the "amens" from the congregation.  Are these people psychologically damaged or just uneducated rednecks that use their religion to promote hatred or both?  http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/video/us/2012/05/21/ac-gaddy-r...

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