Expert wants to treat religious fanaticism as mental illness

[Rosebud77]

Part of this issue is the increasing reliance on and trust in secular counselling . It is not many years ago that I sought help from a Franciscan Friar of some repute here in Ireland with a spiritual problem and was advised to seek psych help as “the spirit is very close to the mind.” Needless to say he was wrong and I stopped trusting priests! Or psychs!

 

[Captain_America]

Part of the problem is that psychological definitions (hence, the “scientific facts” as they are understood) are all open to change—sometimes extreme change—due to political pressure.

We saw that back in 1973, when homosexuality was normalized rather than understood as a problem in psychological development.

I view homosexuality as a kind of sexual addiction and emotional addiction; hence, a perversion of normal development.

SO if the anti-religious/pagans put enough pressure on the APA, they can have the APA say whatever they want it to say.

There’s no science to such a procedure.

 

[Captain_America]

Part of this issue is the increasing reliance on and trust in secular counselling . It is not many years ago that I sought help from a Franciscan Friar of some repute here in Ireland with a spiritual problem and was advised to seek psych help as “the spirit is very close to the mind.” Needless to say he was wrong and I stopped trusting priests! Or psychs!

Given the kind of training counselors had in the 60s-80s, you’d be right to avoid them. You showed uncommon good judgment in your assessment of the friar’s advice.

However, this said, I feel priests are often getting more information/better communications with people, and more real experience, in understanding tough human situations.