Theos-Talk Archives (May 1996 Message tl00802)

alexis dolgorukii wrote:
>
> At 03:27 AM 5/13/96 -0400, you wrote:
>
> >
> >If I may use this post to ask a question? Why is it that practically all
> >Schizophrenics I know and have heard off take up religion? In all their
> >various forms and guises. My own agnostic daughter ended up getting
> >baptised in the Anglican Church and then later fell out with them and
> >tried else where. I have some that visit the Lodge and quote the Bible
> >chapter and verse and seem almost desperate in their need to be
> >religiously convincing.
> >--
> >
> >
> >
> >   Bee Brown
> >   Member TSNZ,Wanganui Branch.
> >   Theos Int & L
> >
> >
> >Bee: I'd like to address your question. You ask "Why is it that......" Now
> the point I'd like to raise in response to that question is that perhaps the
> psycho-paranormal aspects of schizophrenia are not the driving factor in the
> motivations of schizophrenics towards religion. I would venture to guess
> that the primary driving factor is insecurity, both personal and social. A
> schizophrenic desperately requires firm anchors in their life, and religion,
> whether rightfully so or not, is generally perceived as one of the strongest
> anchors. Also many schizophrenics feel themselves to be outcasts from
> "normal society" and acceptance in a religious group is seen by them as
> re-acceptance into normal society. After all, what is more normal and
> acceptable in a Commonwealth Country than the Anglican Church, the
> "established" Church?
> Now, of course, when they become a part of this "safe" and societally
> accepted group, and their own personal problems continue, the leave and try
> another. I don't think "things psychic" have anything to do with this
> phenomenon, I think it's entirely a matter of our basic social conditioning.
> People who fear (rightfully so) for their status in society turn to the most
> respectable, most "upright" possible refuge, established religion. When they
> find no relief in established religion, they turn to ever and ever less
> established (and sometimes less responsible) religions. But who can blame
> them? I will not deny that, depending on their background and individual
> nature, sometimes their "visions" may send them in a search for "the
> spiritual", but I think that much of the nature and content of "visions",
> especially in schizophrenics, depends on the personality and interests of
> the individual concerned.
>
> alexis

You may be right. The thing that worries me about a logical and sensible
answer is that the thoughts of these people are not logical or sensible. That
is what causes a lot of their problems in interacting with the world around
them. Logical, 'normal' people tend to assume similar thought patterns as
their own in others and so find schizophrenics very hard to deal with. Why
would a person with an illogical pattern of thinking assume that religion
would give them security? They may not even be aware that they have such a
problem as many of them blame significant 'others' for their illness. I am
generally accepted as a nice, gentle person yet I just received a Mother's
Day card from my ill daughter saying 'You always were unpleasant to me, and
abusive. I get by in spite of the family. The day you stop needing me as your
scapegoat is a great day indeed.' Etc. That is how she sees us even though we
have all done our best to be there for her despite her aggresive attitude. I
used to be the only decent one in the family, according to her, until
recently so you see why I question any logically based answer because they do
not think that way. I do not get upset by her attitude as I have had time to
get used to it and I understand that she sees things in her own strange way.
I just get puzzled by the way religion takes the fancy of so many of them.
I do not have an answer as yet but maybe one will emerge one day.
Regards.



   Bee Brown
   Member TSNZ,Wanganui Branch.
   Theos Int & L