If you were convinced that God didn't exist (major change of topic imminent) then it would. But only if that were your worldview. Receiving communication from God is perfectly acceptable for people with faith - that could include a voice. Again, Ive spoken to a lot of people of faith who are convinced that they have heard a voice, but I wouldn't describe them as being mentally ill or lying.WaspInWales wrote:That isn't what I said SD.Sandydragon wrote:Interesting. A basic article of faith in a deity, or most anyway, is that it is possible to pray to and receive communication from that God.WaspInWales wrote:
Quite.
How about those types who have two-way conversations with their God?
So, in your opinion, are all people of faith mentally ill? That's a big proportion of the worlds population you are now condemning.
Praying to a God is fine. It displays a level of faith that I would not be able to handle without some form of divine intervention that I personally witness, but then again, isn't that the whole idea about faith? Following your chosen book and living your life to its wordings, suggestions and advice also fine...as long as someone's interpretations of those words is to harm others.
I think where mental illness comes into it is when the conversations with God become two-way. Hearing voices is never a good thing, especially when the voice appears to be the all knowing, all powerful creator of the universe and all life.
Take religion out of the equation and if someone told you they had two-way conversations with imaginary people/beings, would that sound perfectly sane?
Someone who is already mentally ill and hears voices that confirm their existing beliefs, which they claim to be a Diety would be a different matter. But then the fella who just crashed a van into a group of Muslims in London may be mentally ill and may not be religious. Mental illness is what it is, regardless of the involvement of religion.