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Christ psychosis is a term that can mean a number of things. Generally refers to the mental state of either irrationality or illogic attained with the introduction of faith of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic variety into the mind and thought processes of a human. The "Christ" element of the term originates from the predominantly Christian society which those in the West live in. This psychosis is strongly associated with religious faith and some my consider them synonymous.

Psychological affliction

This term is used in reference to what may be a specific mental illness or a collection of them. Specifically some medical conditions that are associated with "religious experiences" such as schizophrenia or temporal lobe epilepsy. There has been research done in the field of neuropsychology and evolutionary psychology suggesting that belief in the supernatural is a result of some of these diseases. Recent studies have shown that in fact religious delusions are more common in Christian patients suffering from psychosis than the non-religious. 1

As Christianity is the primary supernaturalist worldview in English speaking countries, Christ psychosis has become a popular layman label for the interpretation of that research. Many scientists such as Sigmund Freud, the father of modern psychology, and more modern thinkers like Richard Dawkins have labeled religious faith as a mental illness and a form of psychosis. (See Freud's <i>Future of an Illusion</i> and Dawkins' The Root of all Evil?)

Derogatory usage

Descrptive or derofatory usage of the term is employed by antitheists, skeptics, and critics of Western religion in referring to those that they believe argue irrationally on a number of topics, commit atrocities, and commit social injustice because of their beliefs, for example, David Koresh and Pat Robertson. Conversly, when people commit these same acts then justify their actions by means of their Judeo-Christian-Islamic beliefs then they may also be referred to as suffering from Christ psychosis, anachronistic examples include Adolf Hitler, various Roman emporers after 400 CE, and Sadam Hussein.

Some use the term in a purely derogatory form as an <i>ad hominem</i> attack when in philosophical, scientific, or religious conflict with Christians, especially fundamentalists. Usage in this way may have evolved out of the persecution of atheists by Christian persecutors as well as from heightened conflict between scientific findings and creationism, especially young earth creationists.

Criticism

Many traditional Christians and anti-intellectuals take offense at the use of the phrase, claiming it is a loaded term that implies all Christians are psychotic. Non-Christians, modernist Christians, and liberal Christians make the counter claim that anyone who derives that implication has committed a logical fallacy, a hasty generalization of insufficient evidence and is using words irresponsibly.

See Also

Criticism of religion

God helmet

Neurotheology

Psychology of religion

Viruses of the Mind

External Links

Raving Atheist A place where the term is commonly used in both usages.

Film review in which "familiar Judaic-Christian psycho religious psychological states." is used in philosophical discourse concerning familiarity with these concepts in the film industry.