PS...that's not to say that there aren't those out there who do believe in grandiose delusions or religious paranoia, or cultish fanaticism. There absolutely are those for whom religious belief is an unhealthy talisman and integral part of the mental illness itself.

I'm just cautious about lumping everyone who has mental illness and believes in God into the same boat of being delusional, or painting us all with the same colour that sounds suspiciously like "abnormal".

Late addition: And I also humbly apologize if my comments have hijacked this topic in any way. I too struggle with mental illness (these days, mainly mangled thinking), albeit not as severe as bipolar or schizophrenia; being passionate about my faith and sensitive to labels, it was difficult not to participate when this thread took this particular direction.

[ May 20, 2005, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: Eagle Heart ]