The Encounter with God in Myth and Madness
Author Information
Author(s): Otto Doerr, Óscar Velásquez
Primary Institution: University of Chile
Hypothesis
Are there differences between religious experiences reported by psychiatric patients and those found in religious texts or mythological traditions?
Conclusion
Psychiatric patients with religious delusions experience a direct, face-to-face encounter with divinity, unlike the indirect encounters depicted in mythological narratives.
Supporting Evidence
- 60% of the examined epileptic patients showed religious delusions.
- Patients described intimate encounters with God in everyday settings.
- Direct encounters with divinity were reported in both schizophrenia and epilepsy cases.
Takeaway
People with certain mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and epilepsy, often feel like they meet God directly, which is very different from how God is described in stories.
Methodology
The study involved analyzing individual cases of psychiatric patients with religious experiences.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in interpreting subjective experiences of patients.
Limitations
The study is based on a small sample size and individual case analyses, which may not be generalizable.
Participant Demographics
The study included 20 patients, primarily those with schizophrenia and epilepsy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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