What would cause someone from a normal background to become a religious zealot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul may have been mentally ill. He did contend he went up to heaven and came back. At minimum, he was a very weird guy. He heard Jesus talk to him -- and this guy wrote 2/3ds of the New Testament??

.

Many people have had near death experiences and have glimpsed what heaven is like. Then there's nothing wrong with Jesus talking to someone, he's a living breathing God. It has nothing to do with mental illness.

It may seem like foolishness to you, but I bet you've never actually read through the new testament.

Anyone who says Jesus talked directly to them by name (i.e., they heard voices) would be considered mentally ill, or have delusions. Why do we consider believe this happened? -- we only have Paul's word for it of course.

That’s not true. Where are you getting this information that religious people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are considered mentally ill! Please cite your professional credentials to diagnose people with mental illness and your sources that back up your post.

Do you hear voices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul may have been mentally ill. He did contend he went up to heaven and came back. At minimum, he was a very weird guy. He heard Jesus talk to him -- and this guy wrote 2/3ds of the New Testament??

.

Many people have had near death experiences and have glimpsed what heaven is like. Then there's nothing wrong with Jesus talking to someone, he's a living breathing God. It has nothing to do with mental illness.

It may seem like foolishness to you, but I bet you've never actually read through the new testament.

Anyone who says Jesus talked directly to them by name (i.e., they heard voices) would be considered mentally ill, or have delusions. Why do we consider believe this happened? -- we only have Paul's word for it of course.

That’s not true. Where are you getting this information that religious people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are considered mentally ill! Please cite your professional credentials to diagnose people with mental illness and your sources that back up your post.

Do you hear voices?

No, I am a mental health professional. People like you are uneducated, ill-informed, spread dis- and mis-information, etc. I become very upset when I see such ignorance in the wild. It’s wrong and it hurts people who have legitimate mental health issues.

I’d like to know where you are getting this information from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul may have been mentally ill. He did contend he went up to heaven and came back. At minimum, he was a very weird guy. He heard Jesus talk to him -- and this guy wrote 2/3ds of the New Testament??

.

Many people have had near death experiences and have glimpsed what heaven is like. Then there's nothing wrong with Jesus talking to someone, he's a living breathing God. It has nothing to do with mental illness.

It may seem like foolishness to you, but I bet you've never actually read through the new testament.

Anyone who says Jesus talked directly to them by name (i.e., they heard voices) would be considered mentally ill, or have delusions. Why do we consider believe this happened? -- we only have Paul's word for it of course.

That’s not true. Where are you getting this information that religious people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are considered mentally ill! Please cite your professional credentials to diagnose people with mental illness and your sources that back up your post.

Do you hear voices?

No, I am a mental health professional. People like you are uneducated, ill-informed, spread dis- and mis-information, etc. I become very upset when I see such ignorance in the wild. It’s wrong and it hurts people who have legitimate mental health issues.

I’d like to know where you are getting this information from?

Paul heard voices. (Jesus spoke to him by name). He also said he went up to heaven and came back. So, since you are a mental health professional, how would you diagnose someone who came to you and claimed these things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul may have been mentally ill. He did contend he went up to heaven and came back. At minimum, he was a very weird guy. He heard Jesus talk to him -- and this guy wrote 2/3ds of the New Testament??

.

Many people have had near death experiences and have glimpsed what heaven is like. Then there's nothing wrong with Jesus talking to someone, he's a living breathing God. It has nothing to do with mental illness.

It may seem like foolishness to you, but I bet you've never actually read through the new testament.

Anyone who says Jesus talked directly to them by name (i.e., they heard voices) would be considered mentally ill, or have delusions. Why do we consider believe this happened? -- we only have Paul's word for it of course.

That’s not true. Where are you getting this information that religious people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are considered mentally ill! Please cite your professional credentials to diagnose people with mental illness and your sources that back up your post.

Do you hear voices?

No, I am a mental health professional. People like you are uneducated, ill-informed, spread dis- and mis-information, etc. I become very upset when I see such ignorance in the wild. It’s wrong and it hurts people who have legitimate mental health issues.

I’d like to know where you are getting this information from?

Paul heard voices. (Jesus spoke to him by name). He also said he went up to heaven and came back. So, since you are a mental health professional, how would you diagnose someone who came to you and claimed these things?

Professional mental health professionals don’t diagnose people over the internet. They don’t diagnose people they haven’t established a provider-patient relationship with. To do so could cause you to lose professional standing if you are a licensed provider.

What are your credentials to do all these things, barring the above?

[Anonymous]

The first rule of counseling is that you must be given consent to diagnose someone. We do not get to label people with a very formal diagnosis without their written and expressed permission.

Professional standards require a review of medical, social, familial, and psychiatric history and records and a complete examination of mental status. Often collateral information from family members, primary care physicians, or individuals who know the person well is included, with permission from the patient.

Goldwater Rule

Per the American Psychiatric Association, here is the definition of the Goldwater Rule:

On occasion psychiatrists are asked for an opinion about an individual who is in the light of public attention or who has disclosed information about himself/herself through public media. In such circumstances, a psychiatrist may share with the public his or her expertise about psychiatric issues in general. However, it is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement.

If a mental health professional decided to go ahead and diagnose Paul, it would discredit the industry significantly. Ultimately, this can have significant ethical and legal ramifications. Therefore, it should not be done.

There is no debate with this, it is wrong, even from an educational standpoint to teach others. Do better and do not trivialize the profession or more importantly mental health issues with your personal agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul may have been mentally ill. He did contend he went up to heaven and came back. At minimum, he was a very weird guy. He heard Jesus talk to him -- and this guy wrote 2/3ds of the New Testament??

.

Many people have had near death experiences and have glimpsed what heaven is like. Then there's nothing wrong with Jesus talking to someone, he's a living breathing God. It has nothing to do with mental illness.

It may seem like foolishness to you, but I bet you've never actually read through the new testament.

Anyone who says Jesus talked directly to them by name (i.e., they heard voices) would be considered mentally ill, or have delusions. Why do we consider believe this happened? -- we only have Paul's word for it of course.

That’s not true. Where are you getting this information that religious people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are considered mentally ill! Please cite your professional credentials to diagnose people with mental illness and your sources that back up your post.

Do you hear voices?

No, I am a mental health professional. People like you are uneducated, ill-informed, spread dis- and mis-information, etc. I become very upset when I see such ignorance in the wild. It’s wrong and it hurts people who have legitimate mental health issues.

I’d like to know where you are getting this information from?

Paul heard voices. (Jesus spoke to him by name). He also said he went up to heaven and came back. So, since you are a mental health professional, how would you diagnose someone who came to you and claimed these things?

Professional mental health professionals don’t diagnose people over the internet. They don’t diagnose people they haven’t established a provider-patient relationship with. To do so could cause you to lose professional standing if you are a licensed provider.

What are your credentials to do all these things, barring the above?

o.k, so hearing Jesus speak to you and claiming that you went up to heaven and had a look around and then came back is perfectly normal I guess. If my neighbor said this stuff to me I'd assume they're having delusions. What other explanation do you have mental health professional?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul may have been mentally ill. He did contend he went up to heaven and came back. At minimum, he was a very weird guy. He heard Jesus talk to him -- and this guy wrote 2/3ds of the New Testament??

.

Many people have had near death experiences and have glimpsed what heaven is like. Then there's nothing wrong with Jesus talking to someone, he's a living breathing God. It has nothing to do with mental illness.

It may seem like foolishness to you, but I bet you've never actually read through the new testament.

Anyone who says Jesus talked directly to them by name (i.e., they heard voices) would be considered mentally ill, or have delusions. Why do we consider believe this happened? -- we only have Paul's word for it of course.

That’s not true. Where are you getting this information that religious people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are considered mentally ill! Please cite your professional credentials to diagnose people with mental illness and your sources that back up your post.

Do you hear voices?

No, I am a mental health professional. People like you are uneducated, ill-informed, spread dis- and mis-information, etc. I become very upset when I see such ignorance in the wild. It’s wrong and it hurts people who have legitimate mental health issues.

I’d like to know where you are getting this information from?

Paul heard voices. (Jesus spoke to him by name). He also said he went up to heaven and came back. So, since you are a mental health professional, how would you diagnose someone who came to you and claimed these things?

Professional mental health professionals don’t diagnose people over the internet. They don’t diagnose people they haven’t established a provider-patient relationship with. To do so could cause you to lose professional standing if you are a licensed provider.

What are your credentials to do all these things, barring the above?

o.k, so hearing Jesus speak to you and claiming that you went up to heaven and had a look around and then came back is perfectly normal I guess. If my neighbor said this stuff to me I'd assume they're having delusions. What other explanation do you have mental health professional?

How are you qualified to diagnose your neighbor? No one is, based on a casual conversation. You are just the worst type of person, and have no clue what you are talking about. You have no education or experience to do so but feel superior and as if you are allowed to make these type of complicated complex and very important medical diagnoses. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

Of course they can: it didn't happen. So that leaves Paul was delusional or he was just making it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

Of course they can: it didn't happen. So that leaves Paul was delusional or he was just making it up.

You are one of those annoying people that thinks if they declare something true it’s true. It’s not. That’s your own ignorance and hubris, and not at all grounded in reality on any level.

Tell me, how often do these intrusive thoughts of Paul trouble you? Daily? Hourly? For how long? Weeks? months? I suspect years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

Of course they can: it didn't happen. So that leaves Paul was delusional or he was just making it up.

NP. Or, it was God entering Paul’s life in a way that changed the course of one religion and of history. I’m not a huge fan of Paul, but you go straight to ruling out divine intervention and that only reflects your personal biases.

I’m with the mental health professional—you have zero qualifications or information to diagnose someone who lived 2,000 years ago. Although I’m sure tempted to diagnose someone who obsesses about Paul—and who obsesses about other people being religious on a religion forum—on a daily and hourly basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

Of course they can: it didn't happen. So that leaves Paul was delusional or he was just making it up.

NP. Or, it was God entering Paul’s life in a way that changed the course of one religion and of history. I’m not a huge fan of Paul, but you go straight to ruling out divine intervention and that only reflects your personal biases.

I’m with the mental health professional—you have zero qualifications or information to diagnose someone who lived 2,000 years ago. Although I’m sure tempted to diagnose someone who obsesses about Paul—and who obsesses about other people being religious on a religion forum—on a daily and hourly basis.

someone said Paul may have been mentally ill. No one claimed he was. Or maybe just an extreme religious zealot. Another possibility is that Jesus really did speak to him by name and he did go up to heaven and come back. I'.m aware some people believe that really did happen, and that's fine if you wan to believe that.

As far as obsessing, I didn't even think of it until the poster at 11/23/2021 19:19 asked about Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Have you read the whole thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

Of course they can: it didn't happen. So that leaves Paul was delusional or he was just making it up.

NP. Or, it was God entering Paul’s life in a way that changed the course of one religion and of history. I’m not a huge fan of Paul, but you go straight to ruling out divine intervention and that only reflects your personal biases.

I’m with the mental health professional—you have zero qualifications or information to diagnose someone who lived 2,000 years ago. Although I’m sure tempted to diagnose someone who obsesses about Paul—and who obsesses about other people being religious on a religion forum—on a daily and hourly basis.

someone said Paul may have been mentally ill. No one claimed he was. Or maybe just an extreme religious zealot. Another possibility is that Jesus really did speak to him by name and he did go up to heaven and come back. I'.m aware some people believe that really did happen, and that's fine if you wan to believe that.

As far as obsessing, I didn't even think of it until the poster at 11/23/2021 19:19 asked about Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Have you read the whole thread?

You clearly ruled out divine intervention in your post two above your most recent post, so let’s stop with that debate.

So, you appear to admit you’re on this forum 24/7, reading entire threads like this one, as a nonbeliever. Would you say you have intrusive thoughts about religion, or even that you’re obsessed? Do you have any other outlets and relationships, or does trolling a religion forum on a mom’s website provide the most satisfaction you’ll get today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ You're avoiding the question. Are you trying to suggest it could have have happened just like Paul said it did?

It’s a question nobody can answer and definitely no professional would answer. You can pretend it’s possible from your agenda based viewpoint but that’s absolutely your uneducated opinion. Why would you waste your time, other than it’s not valuable?

Feel free to diagnosis everyone though. Perhaps diagnose yourself, too!

Of course they can: it didn't happen. So that leaves Paul was delusional or he was just making it up.

NP. Or, it was God entering Paul’s life in a way that changed the course of one religion and of history. I’m not a huge fan of Paul, but you go straight to ruling out divine intervention and that only reflects your personal biases.

I’m with the mental health professional—you have zero qualifications or information to diagnose someone who lived 2,000 years ago. Although I’m sure tempted to diagnose someone who obsesses about Paul—and who obsesses about other people being religious on a religion forum—on a daily and hourly basis.

someone said Paul may have been mentally ill. No one claimed he was. Or maybe just an extreme religious zealot. Another possibility is that Jesus really did speak to him by name and he did go up to heaven and come back. I'.m aware some people believe that really did happen, and that's fine if you wan to believe that.

As far as obsessing, I didn't even think of it until the poster at 11/23/2021 19:19 asked about Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Have you read the whole thread?

You clearly ruled out divine intervention in your post two above your most recent post, so let’s stop with that debate.

So, you appear to admit you’re on this forum 24/7, reading entire threads like this one, as a nonbeliever. Would you say you have intrusive thoughts about religion, or even that you’re obsessed? Do you have any other outlets and relationships, or does trolling a religion forum on a mom’s website provide the most satisfaction you’ll get today?

+1

It’s very sad. I genuinely mean that.