Christianity & Sociopathy??

[CaliforniaSun]

I came across this video, where Comfort and young Hovind discuss their proclivities and desires toward criminal and sociopathic behaviors if it were not for their religion.

My question is this, how many Christians and people of various faiths here at CF would be tempted to commit crimes and exhibit sociopathic behavior if you didn't have your belief in a deity to restrain you?

A Special Report from Wildwood Claire: Sociopathic Creationists - YouTube

 

[elahmine]

That's a silly video. Depends on the person I suppose. I used to be pretty involved in certain things before Christianity, but then I'm not saying now that I realize things are better this way if I went back would I be involved in certain activities? Hard to say. Depends now that I'm in college and have gotten my life back to where it should be (Long story don't ask.) It's hard to imagine having the time of day or the need.

 

[Michael]

My question is this, how many Christians and people of various faiths here at CF would be tempted to commit crimes and exhibit sociopathic behavior if you didn't have your belief in a deity to restrain you?

Does that include speeding? I was sometimes tempted before I was an atheist, temped some more as an atheist, and tempted again when I returned to theism. Maybe it was the 68 Camaro?

 

[plindboe]

Most people used to be a wilder when they were younger, so it's not surprising that conversion and deconversion stories alike often end with "...and I'm a better person now". Post hoc ergo propter hoc abound.

Anyway, I do believe that a tiny minority of christians would be awful people without their religion. I think religion can help control certain types of individuals. On the other hand, religion can bring out the worst of other types.

Peter

 

[AV1611VET]

[ deleted ]

 

[CaliforniaSun]

You mean like siding with the PLO against Israel, genetic engineering, abortion, adultery, fornication, or slavery?

Those sorts of things?

For starters. Then we can move on to the behavior of non-theists next.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

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Here is a reminder of the OP's question:

My question is this, how many Christians and people of various faiths here at CF would be tempted to commit crimes and exhibit sociopathic behavior if you didn't have your belief in a deity to restrain you?

MOD HAT OFF

 

[[serious]]

You mean like siding with the PLO against Israel, genetic engineering, abortion, adultery, fornication, or slavery?

Those sorts of things?

So you're saying that the only reason you side with Israel is because God wants you to and the if one were to only look at secular facts they would side with the PLO?

 

[Bubblies]

The thread title got me interested, because I often do think of how sociopaths and psychopaths fit in Christianity, but the video itself was a bit meh.

Anti-social Behaviour like psychopathy, and I suppose sociopathy, is increasingly being accepted as a disorder, like a learning disorder, except instead of intelligence, it's empathy they're lacking. So a person with that problem doesn't actually understand why anyone cares about what it is they're doing. Their brain is different.

I question whether the men in the video were actually sociopaths, but I do wonder if there are Christian sociopaths/psychopaths and how they deal with that.

 

[elahmine]

In all honesty, people with or without Christianity can behave in a society and conform to the rules, but Christianity is more than a list of rules to follow.

 

[TLK Valentine]

My question is this, how many Christians and people of various faiths here at CF would be tempted to commit crimes and exhibit sociopathic behavior if you didn't have your belief in a deity to restrain you?

of course, once the deity flips His switch and starts ordering you to commit sociopathic behavior, the excrement will hit the air conditioner.

 

[elahmine]

of course, once the deity flips His switch and starts ordering you to commit sociopathic behavior, the excrement will hit the air conditioner.

I'm pretty sure that afflicts a minor subset of schizophrenics, and it's not God it a delusion/hallucinations.

 

[TLK Valentine]

I'm pretty sure that afflicts a minor subset of schizophrenics, and it's not God it a delusion/hallucinations.

Are you certain that there's nothing in, let's say, the Bible, which would be considered barbaric had it not been ordered or at least condoned by a certain deity?

 

[elahmine]

Are you certain that there's nothing in, let's say, the Bible, which would be considered barbaric had it not been ordered or at least condoned by a certain deity?

Oh loaded questions love them! There are certain thing in the OT that seem barbaric do they not, but that is an entirely different theological discussion isn't it?

 

[TLK Valentine]

Oh loaded questions love them! There are certain thing in the OT that seem barbaric do they not, but that is an entirely different theological discussion isn't it?

Not at all -- follow me on this one.

There are Christians out there who claim that were it not for God, they would commit sociopathic behavior. Now, we know that the God of the Bible has, on more than one occasion, condoned, commanded, and/or committed sociopathic behavior. More to the point, I'm sure these Christians know it too.

So I ask, what's really stopping them? If God's the only thing stopping them from rampaging, and His record on doing so is far from spotless, can these people be trusted?

 

[AV1611VET]

Not at all -- follow me on this one.

There are Christians out there who claim that were it not for God, they would commit sociopathic behavior. Now, we know that the God of the Bible has, on more than one occasion, condoned, commanded, and/or committed sociopathic behavior. More to the point, I'm sure these Christians know it too.

So I ask, what's really stopping them? If God's the only thing stopping them from rampaging, and His record on doing so is far from spotless, can these people be trusted?

Does your attitude apply toward the Islam religion as well?

Do you wonder what's holding them back from taking further action on their Great Satan?

I know they won your trust (to use your word) in 2001, but wasn't that a long time ago?

 

[Skavau]

Does your attitude apply toward the Islam religion as well?

Do you wonder what's holding them back from taking further action on their Great Satan?

I know they won your trust (to use your word) in 2001, but wasn't that a long time ago?

Speaking for myself, yes, the attitude would extend towards Islam as well.

 

[AV1611VET]

Speaking for myself, yes, the attitude would extend towards Islam as well.

I applaud your honesty.

Now, if Mr. Valentine would care to follow suit...

 

[TLK Valentine]

Does your attitude apply toward the Islam religion as well?

My attitude applies towards anyone who claims that God/Allah/Odin/The Invisible Pink Unicorn is the only thing keeping them moral.

Do you wonder what's holding them back from taking further action on their Great Satan?

In the case of terrorists, I know the only thing holding them back is opportunity.

In the case of those who actually have a conscience, there's always that.

I know they won your trust (to use your word) in 2001, but wasn't that a long time ago?

"Trust"? AV? I'd ask you what you meant, but I know you're just trying to change the subject.

ANYONE who claims that "God" (whatever you wish to call him/her/it) is their only source of their morality is a crusade/jihad/killing spree waiting to happen. Why should I believe otherwise?

 

[AV1611VET]

"Trust"? AV? I'd ask you what you meant, but I know you're just trying to change the subject.

Isn't that your word?

So I ask, what's really stopping them? If God's the only thing stopping them from rampaging, and His record on doing so is far from spotless, can these people be trusted?