Religious Belief = Mental Illness: A More Venomous Response

[Brettongarcia]

99. The Bible says that nearly everyone in the world is to be found deceived in its worship (Rev. 13.9).

IT seems in context that here "worship" is synonymous with religion.

They are deceived, in part, by a false idea of God or Christ.

"Deceived" implies a mental delusion, at least in the broad sense of the word.

In fact, there is a larger picture here many miss. Dozens of similar word are used in the Bible. The word "delusion" is used in one case or more. Though the immediate context of the remark does not fully explain it, finally this and all these related words, finally add up finally to different descriptions of the same event or finding: the moment we find the whole "world" to have been confused, deceived - or say deluded - in its "worship," its religion (rev. 13.9).

[Regarding these various groups of insane persons? I'm interested in the group you (somehow) did not mention: religious persons that do crazy or illegal, violent things.]

So first of all? There is historical - even specifically biblical - warrant, for suggesting that nearly all religious people in the world are under a "delusion." Or any number of similar words: "illusion," "enchantment," mental confusion, false spirits, etc..

Are we yet using the word correctly in the current Psychological sense? Possibly we are; possibly not. But first of all, we are justified in using in a Biblical/culture context.

Or pick another word: the whole religious world can be the victim of say, "deceit"? Or of a "false" idea of God.

Things quite like delusions, after all.