i don't think too many people will comment but i'd be interested in
hearing whether anyone thinks that religion can affect you
psychologically?

i think religion has such an effect on people(besides just spiritually)
that they don't even realize the impact that it has had on them. some
people that suffer from mental illness tend to get very religious at
some point and it can have a profound affect on their emotions and mind.

Yeah I think they can and do, look at all the culs...there ya got
religion, as warped as it is and the psychological means of ataing
converts and the psychological way of controlling them.

So are you saying that people are crazy because they,re religious...?

that isn't what i was getting at but in certain ways i believe that as
well ontario. my basis to the question was if the ideas behind religion
can effect some postitively or negatively psychologically. i think it
has a tendency to do both. most of our character and personality is
wrapped around our psyche and it can have a huge effect on our minds

that's true too poet and i have seen people that were happy go lucky and
when they started doubting their faith they got crushed and ended up
spinning into a deep bout with depression and anxiety. i have also seen
it have an extremely positive effect on someone who was about to end it
and they had the light shone on them and never looked back. i just think
it is interesting how some of the smallest things that usually go
unnoticed can jump up and grab someone in a way that it makes them
change their life for the better meanwhile everyone else missed it. was
it meant only for them or was it something that psychologically and
subconciously they were looking for all along?

Some Cultures have ppl that would seem to us to be crazy,but to them
they are seen to be shamans or spiritualleaders who have the gift to see
death or the other side.

Well...your belief is based on what....things you have heard, or things
you have experienced...?

if that was directed at me it is just an idea but it was formed through
experience with people over time not my own although i did go through a
brief time when i was bitter about how things were going and i made
myself deal with the bitterness and it's been gone for years. i have
always had a decent out look on things and don't get stressed over
little things but since then my mind has been a little clearer. not
clear enough but clearer none the less.

Ironically, psychology over the last 15-20 years now has discovered that
SOME form of spirituality is essential for good mental and/or emotional
health.

Well...Breezy....it does,nt happen often...but rambill is right.
If you have committed to a spiritual lifestyle...you tend to be more
physically and emotionally stable, then those who choose not to live
that way.

that is part of what i'm sayin. i couldn't change my title to convey my
thought better. how much of an impact do you think it has on a person
psychologically and there outlook on life and how they perceive a
particular event.

I disagree Ontario.

It's all about the personality. How you grew up, your family history,
and your experiences too.

I've seen some real F-ed up ppl that are spiritual and Christian and
some who are doing great. It's all about you as a person. Not your
deity.

what he is sayin though ghost is that a spiritual awakening can have an
effect on your out look and personality. kinda like a near death
experience

this is not about all people because all people don't react the same
way but rather can it have an effect on someone and the ways that it
effects them.

I believe that it has an amazing effect on your life, its part of your
character...its who you are.

i believe that it can to. i also believe that it can have a negative
effect on some people though too.

it is an influence in your life like everything else but because it is
such an emotional issue i think it has a little more influence than some
people think.

Sorry...I disagree...mental illness has many avenues inwhich to invade
you... Alcoholic, Drugs, Stress,... as a spiritual person
I believe that becoming addicted to these things will hurt me so
therefore I don,t...as for stress...I don,t get bent over
things...regardless of how important they may be.

i don't get what you mean ontario.