Delusion A big word, and many people may argue over the definition of delusion. Basically, it is firmly believing, with unfounded faith, that something is true, even though common-sense and simple logic shows you it is NOT.
It is really quite simple, a quick search of the word will help you figure out exactly what it means. Here are two quotes, one from wiki, the other from merriam-webster.com (an online dictionary):
A delusion is commonly definedas a fixed falsebeliefand is used in everyday language to describe a belief that is either false, fanciful or derived from deception. In psychiatry, the definition is necessarily more precise and implies that the belief is pathological (the result of an illness or illness process). As a pathology it is distinct from a belief based on false or incomplete information or certain effects of perception which would more properly be termed an apperception or illusion.
The above more aptly defines fundamentalists more so then the typical "luke warm" religious person. Why? Because people tend to give "lip service" to their religion out of peer pressure, or fear. Those that are born into a religion are taught at a *very* young age to "believe" as their parents do. This is very effective, but is it delusion? It leads to it, and is a form of brainwashing.
The "luke warms" of the world are not so aptly named "delusional", since their mental health is somewhat sound. Yet in the back of their minds are these "rules", like "turn the other cheek" and so forth. Many things in religion, even for the "luke warms" of the world, effect decision making, sometimes life altering decisions are made based on religious influence. Here is merriam-webster.com's definition of delusion:
1: the act of deluding : the state of being deluded2 a: something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated b: a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary; also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs
What exactly IS indisputable evidence to the contrary? Well, it takes many forms. A good starting point is to look at religion and how it effected our world's history. Common sense is a good place to start as well.
I challenge you to watch this next youtube with a critical eye. Again, it focuses on christianity, but the same logic is applicable to most religions:
Once again, special thanks to godisimaginary.com for this video. There is so much more on how religion is dangerous that it would take a book to describe it all. And there ARE books out there, plenty of them, and I suggest you start reading them. These types of books are discouraged by most religions. Why? Because they shed knowledge and light, and it threatens religion's existence.
A sound strong mind, with self discipline, and courage, is needed to break free from the bonds of religion. Our world needs this in my opinion, so we can proceed to a path of truth, knowledge and understanding.
Notice today, that we sometimes "mock" the religions of old. Like the greek gods, and the Myan temple sacrifices for things like "crops" and what not. We laugh at this as ignorant, and primitive. How much will our descendants "mock" our world today for the same exact reasons? How many students in future schools will marvel in awe at the way we conduct and behave ourselves in the world theater? TIME is relative. It may "feel" like modern times right now, but in the grand scheme of things, this is a very primitive era, and we are very much still barbaric and primitive. Don't you think it's time we woke up from the dream?
Delusion is dangerous because it is an unhealthy state of mind. We pass on our delusions to our children with things like Sunday school, bible study, religious coloring books, cartoons on TV of a religious nature and so on... WE are programming our children to believe the same delusions we ourselves believe. There is little more pathetic and sad, then to see a eight year old child telling you that you are going to "burn in hell"... It is UNHEALTHY for the child to harbor such negative views on other people. It gives them an "elitist" frame of mind, a "holier then thou" mind set, and makes them feel empowered to abuse or ostracize others. It is morally wrong to brainwash ANYONE, much less your children. *If* your religion is soooo good that it must be shared, why not let it stand on it's own merit? Why not wait and see if the child will follow your example, and join your religion? You have NOTHING to be proud of if your child joins your religion solely because you pounded it into their heads, and brainwashed them into your way of thinking.
The effects of this brainwashing will make it that much harder, if not impossible, for the child to break free, and to think and decide on their own. If your "god" is the "right one" (out of hundreds of religions in history btw), why not have the "faith" you so love to preach, and put it in "god's hands"? If you are right, and you magically are in the "correct" religion, than surely the child will become aware of this on it's own? Right? Right?
Pascal's Wager
What *IF* you are WRONG? This is probably THE most common argument against atheism or even changing religion, or being an agnostic is "what if you are wrong?".
The "risk" of either hell-fire, or simply being barred from "heaven" is a BIG deterrent to free thinking. Lets examine this "challenge" more closely. As a christian suppose YOU are wrong, and islam is the correct religion? What then? Perhaps the hindu religion is the correct one? Maybe the ancient greeks had it right and Zeus is *very* angry with the world right now?
You CANNOT cover all the bases like Edward Current tries in this youtube:
This video above is *meant* to be funny, but how funny is it really? It answers the question of Pascal's Wager very plainly. The main reason you CANNOT do this in real life, is that *most* religions frown upon you being "multi-religious". You cannot serve two (or more) masters, or "though shalt have no other god before me" and stuff like that. There are restrictions imbedded in almost all religions to keep you from leaving the fold. So, in the words of "Highlander's Connor McLeod" "There can be only one!".
Let it be common-sense and education - the great myth breakers!
SWIM
06/02/2008
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Delusion A big word, and many people may argue over the definition of delusion. Basically, it is firmly believing, with unfounded faith, that something is true, even though common-sense and simple logic shows you it is NOT. 
termed an 
mental health is somewhat sound. Yet in the back of their minds are these "rules", like "turn the other cheek" and so forth. Many things in religion, even for the "luke warms" of the world, effect decision making, sometimes life altering decisions are made based on religious influence. Here is merriam-webster.com's definition of delusion:
Delusion is dangerous because it is an unhealthy state of mind. We pass on our delusions to our children with things like Sunday school, bible study, religious coloring books, cartoons on TV of a religious nature and so on... WE are programming our children to believe the same delusions we ourselves believe. There is little more pathetic and sad, then to see a eight year old child telling you that you are going to "burn in hell"... It is UNHEALTHY for the child to harbor such negative views on other people. It gives them an "elitist" frame of mind, a "holier then thou" mind set, and makes them feel empowered to abuse or ostracize others. It is morally wrong to brainwash ANYONE, much less your children. *If* your religion is soooo good that it must be shared, why not let it stand on it's own merit? Why not wait and see if the child will follow your example, and join your religion? You have NOTHING to be proud of if your child joins your religion solely because you pounded it into their heads, and brainwashed them into your way of thinking.