Yup, the only church .. blah blah blah blah .. superstition has it's rewards, i guess .. now to something most important .. LOL
PATSPEARS patspears@email.msn.com Sat, 10 Jan 1998 19:10:38
WAS JESUS SCHIZOPHRENIC?
The thesis put forth in this essay is that the descriptions of Jesus' life, as offered by the New Testament, are strikingly consist with both schizophrenia and paranoid personality disorder, as defined by standard diagnostic criteria. Whether or not the comparison is accurate will depend, in large part, upon one's personal assessment of both the New Testament record and the standard diagnostic criteria, neither of which are as reliable or as concise as would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Yet the comparison is a disturbingly striking one. The similarities of Jesus' thought, discourse, and actions with the standard diagnostic criteria are too close to be attributed to chance alone. While the nature of the similarites may be disputed, the fact that close similarities exist cannot be. If nothing else, the comparison should serve to clarify the distinction between the ancient world-view, where a predilection for psychosis always established one as the village shaman, stick-shaker, or rainmaker, and the modern worldview, where the shaman has been replaced by the science of psychiatry. The two worldviews presupposed by the standard diagnostic criteria and by the NT are vastly different, and this comparison will also serve to highlight that difference. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
SOCIAL OR OCCUPATIONAL IMPAIRMENT
One or more major areas of functioning are impaired, including work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset. When the onset is in early childhood or adolescence, failure to acheive expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational acheivement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >From a purely secular point of view, Jesus was both socially and
occupationally impaired. While he is called a "carpenter" by Mark (6:3), Matthew rewrites the very same passage to suggest that he was merely a "carpenter's son" (13:55). Regardless, all accounts agree that after the first reported incidence of psychotic disturbances, which occured during his baptism (MK 1:10-11), Jesus remained without normal employment, and remained homeless for the rest of his life, and even told his companions that anyone who left their house, their family, their children, and their property for his sake, and the gospel's, will be rewarded an hundredfold in the "world to come, " and would live forever (MK 10:29-30).
It is also true that the majority of cases of schizophrenia originate among low-income populations. Jesus, coming from Galilee, would most likely have lived and developed in a somewhat impoverished enviroment. Combined with the general socio-economic conditions of the area at the time, we see a variety of societal stressors which are not only consistent with known schizophrenic etiology, but which seem to have been integrally related to the content of Jesus' paranoid beliefs concerning his messiah-ship and the impending end of time.
Jesus seems to have become severely interpersonally impaired after the onset of symptoms. Mark tells us that Jesus' own family [specifically his mother and brothers] demonstrated concern about Jesus' bizarre behavior, unsuccessfully, specifically commenting, "He is out of his mind!" (NIV 3:21). Jesus evades his "mother and brothers" attempt at intervention, saying, "'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother'" (3:33:35). Likewise, Jesus is not thought to ever have been married, or to have raised children. According to our criteria, which does not differentiate between saviours and psychotics, Jesus' social-occupational profile fits well with observable trends among shizophrenic populations.
On at least one occasion, apparently not long after the first reported symptoms (MK 1), Jesus is said to have become unpredictably violent, and to have unprovokedly assaulted inhabitants of the temple in Jerusalem. He is said to have used "a scourge of small cords" to "drive out" both the animal and human inhabitants, and to have engaged in the destruction of property as well (JN 2:15). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- DISORGANIZED SPEECH
Speech shows frequent derailment or incoherence. In derailment, a person's ideas slip off one track and onto another that is completely unrelated or only obliquely related. In incoherence, a person's speech or thinking is essentially incomprehensible to others because words or phrases are joined together without a logical or meaningful connection. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Jesus' discourse fits this description very well. The following account is strikingly consistent with the type of thought association/dissociation observed in schizophrenic patients today:
"... if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
For every one will be salted with fire.
Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltness, how will you season it?
Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." (MK 9:45-50). In the first three statements, Jesus advises his disciples to cut off their hands and feet, or pluck out their eyes, if those body-parts should cause them to "sin." In light of the fact that "sin," by Jesus' defintion (MT 6), is unavoidable, this is poor advice. This aside, all three statements follow one another in a logical manner. Statements 4-7, however, display precisely the sort of oblique word-association process prevalent among schizophrenics. The last 3 statements are obliquely connected by the word "salt," but are grouped and expressed in a way which is incomprehensible. His train of thought also seems to become "derailed": the statement starts out focused on the advice to pluck out one's eye's so as to avoid going to Gehinna, but concludes by saying, seemingly irrelevantly, "Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace with one another." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- AUDITORY-VISUAL HALLUCINATIONS
Internally sees objects, people, or images that other people can't see. This excludes illusory perceptions, in which an actual external stimuli is misperceived or misinterpreted. Internally hears sounds, usually voices, that seem "real" but that occur without external stimulation of the ear. Thus hears things that others can't hear. This excludes illusory auditory perceptions, in which an actual external stimulus is mispercieved or misinterpreted. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Jesus appears to have been subject to such experiences. A good example is the account of the Baptism offered by 'Mark,' where Jesus is alleged to seen "the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:" (1:10), and to have heard a voice saying "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (1:11). Mark's account definitely suggests that the experience was of an entirely personal nature, and does not suggest that anyone other than Jesus was witness to these phenomena. This is the first reported occurence of internal stimuli.
Mark relates another story in which Jesus, Peter, James and John all undergoe one such experience, in which they believed themselves to have seen Elijah and Moses, and to have heard a voice which literally emanated from a "cloud" (9:4ff). Peter was evidently convinced of the physicality of the apparitions, for he said to Jesus, "Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah" (9:5). Our first clue that this describes a delusion rather than a supernatural occurence is the fact no one knew what either Moses of Elijah looked like, and our second is that "Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus" (9:8). The fact that Peter mistakes the apparitions for physical-existing persons, offering to build "shelters" for them and for Jesus, clearly qualifies as an halluination, at least on his part. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- DELUSIONS OF BEING CONTROLLED
Believes that his/her thoughts, feelings, or actions are not his own, but are controlled by an external force despite all evidence that this belief is impossible, incredible, or false. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Jesus frequently espouses his belief that he has been sent by god, (JN 4:34, 8:42, etc.), and that his actions are in accordance, not with his own will, but with the will of 'god' (MK 14:36). Evidently, Jesus himself, at the time of his death, came to feel that his god had forsaken him (MK 14:33). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- GRANDIOSE DELUSIONS
Has an exaggerated belief in his/her power, knowledge, or importance despite all evidence this belief is impossible, incredible or false. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >From a secular point-of-view, Jesus apparently suffered from exaggerated
belief in his power. Aside from claiming to be the Son of the Jewish god, he had a propensity for making grossly exaggerated statements.
(1) "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (MK 11:23ff NIV).
(2) "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues [glossalia frequently accompanies mental illness, especially in non-western countries]; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them" (MK 16:17-18).
(3) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." (JN 16:23) Each of these three statements present testable assertions. Since all three of them are demonstrably false, it follows that Jesus was either making grossly exaggerated claims about the power of belief, or, worse, actually believed that mountains could be moved by belief, and that the drinking of poison would not hurt believers. In either case, it is these assertions are, as per our criteria, "impossible, incredible, or false." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PARANOID DELUSIONS
A common motif of schizophrenic disturbances is a feeling of "impending doom," or the feeling that the world is about to undergoe destruction. This arises naturally out of a con-fusion of internal stimulus with objective reality. Once again, Jesus definitely seemed to harbor such delusions, for the primary basis of his ministry seemed to be the mistaken belief that the end of the world was at the "very door" [MK 13:29], and that this cataclysm would occur within the lifetime of his listeners.
Mark outlines Jesus' eschatological beliefs. First, Jesus stated that the wars and battles of his own day indicated that the end was soon to come (13:7). Jesus conjectured that the end would include "affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation" (13:9), the darkening of the sun and moon (13:24), the stars 'falling from heaven,' (13:25), [which is a clear indication of delusion, because stars don't 'fall' to the earth at all, except in ancient cultures, where gravity is not well understood, and where the earth was mistakenly understood to be the center of the universe]. Jesus also stated that, at the time of the end, the "powers that are in heaven shall be shaken" (3:25), that he would return riding upon the "clouds with great glory and power" (13:26), and that, at that time, he would send "angels" to gather his special peer group [the "elect"] from the "four winds" (13:27).
Lastly, and most indicative of mental illness, is the statement that "this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done" (13:30). Some have argued that Jesus actually referred to some future "generation," yet this is a clearly false apologetic attempt to mitigate the obvious failure of his paranoid predictions, for elsewhere he says, referring ostensibly to the same events, "there be some of them that stand here [ie. in Jesus' immediate company], which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power" (Mark 9:1). The facts that the stars did not fall, the sun and moon were not darkened, and that apparently no one spotted the Son of man riding on the clouds, regathering his peer group from the four winds --these facts serve to fully satisfy the criteria of paranoid and grandiose delusion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- DELUSIONS OF REFERENCE
Believes that events, or other people's actions or words refer specifically to him/her or have a special meaning for him/her despite all evidence that this belief is impossible, incredible or false. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Following from his belief that he was the son of Yahweh, Jesus apparently believed that the entire Epic of Jewish writings referred specifically to his own life (JN 5:46; LK 24:44). A few instances will clearly demonstrate that this belief is "impossible, incredible, or false." Jesus' specific use of prophecy is not well recorded, except for a few specific incidents (MT 14:20; MK 13:40). I will base this analysis primarily on the gospellers' use of prophecy, assuming that it accurately reflects Jesus own beliefs.
MT 1:23 suggests that Isa 7:14 was a prophecy for the virgin-birth of Jesus. Not only does the passage in question describe a conception which has ALREADY occured [~600BCE], it does not describe a virgin-birth at all. The problem arises here as a result of the fact that Jesus [or just 'Matthew'] used the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, known as the Septaugint, which was created in Alexandria around 250 BCE. The Septaugint mistranslates almah [young maiden] as parthenos [maid OR virgin], and Jesus [or Matthew] constructs this prophecy entirely on the basis of that mistranslation.
MT 2:23 draws a 'prophetic' connection between the hebrew word "Nasar" [Isaiah 11:1], which means "root or branch," and the name of a town, Nazareth. The prophecy in question merely stated that the messiah would be a descendent, or "branch," of the line of David, and not that the messiah would live in Nazareth. The connection is an oblique one, and is based entirely upon the similarity of the words in question. In short, it is clear that the use of Isa 11:1 as prophecy for the events described in MT 2:23 is impossible, incredible, and false, because the fulfillment is based upon a mistaken reading of the prophecy.
John 7:38 has Jesus say to his listeners, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Not only is it entirely unclear what Jesus' might mean by "living waters" flowing out of one's "belly," it is also false that any "scripture hath said" that any such thing would occur. Nowhere in any known Hebrew "scripture" is this "prophecy" to be found.
It is clearly false that any one of the NT's cited "prophecies" refer *specifically* to Jesus in any clear way. Whether Jesus thought his life was somehow symbolized by the OT is irrelevant; it is the fact that he thought that the OT referred *specifically* to him which satisfies the criteria for a "delusion of reference." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- CONTINUOUS SIGNS OF THE DISTURBANCE PERSISTED FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS
This six-moth period must include at least one month of (or less if successfully treated) of: (1) delusions, (2) hallucinations, (3) disorganized speech, (4) grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, or (5) negative symptoms. This 6-month period may include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms. During these prodromal or residual periods, the signs of disturbance may be manifested by negative symptoms or two or more of the symptoms (1) through (4), in attenuated form. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Once again, the NT has Jesus fully satisfy this criteria. It is unclear exactly how long Jesus' taught before being killed, but all accounts agree that it was longer than six months, and that the positive symptoms were present from the onset until the time of his death. There is also some indication of the precense of negative symptoms as well, such as affective blunting. At his trial, for example
"Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor questioned him: 'You are you the King of the Judeans?' Jesus said, 'If you say so'" ... when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer . Then Pilate said to him, 'Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?' But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly" (MT 27:11-14; Scholars Version).
The fact that Jesus refuses to respond to the charges against him, which caused the governor to "wonder greatly," and that he is hesistant to admit that which he had openly taught earlier, seemingly indicates affective blunting relative to his previous state. This is also supported by the precense of profound depression immediately preceding his arrest. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (MK 13:44 NIV). His death cry, "My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?" (MK 15:34) suggests that his final thoughts were of confusion and abandonment, and that perhaps the negative-phase symptoms of depression and affective blunting had become more prominant.
The shoe seems to fit pretty well, I'd say. Patrick
Hey, kozuh, believe me, i wasn't having a go at you personally when i posted my other reply yesterday, (just so you know) .. now, how is this for a coincidence .. this morning i heard on the radio that a man in North Queensland had claimed he was Jesus .. it was a coincidence for us, whereas the cross mentioned in the article doesn't sound like one to me. What do you think?
I'm Jesus, Riverland man says
David Murray .. From: Sunday Mail (SA) .. May 14, 2011 11:30PM
Alan Miller, who claims to be Jesus, and Mary Luck, aka Mary Magdalene. Picture: Simon Dallinger. Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
A COUPLE who say they are Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene have set up base in Queensland's Bible Belt.
The pair, real names Alan John Miller, who once lived in Loxton in South Australia's Riverland, and Mary Suzanne Luck, operate from rural Wilkesdale near Kingaroy, where they have been joined by an increasing band of followers.
"My name is Jesus, and I'm serious," Miller said in a video recording from one workshop.
Cult watchers and the Anglican and Catholic churches are alarmed the pair, who ask followers to make donations to sustain them, could draw in the vulnerable.
Miller bought a 16ha property at Wilkesdale in 2007 and his Divine Truth followers have since been buying nearby blocks to be close to the charismatic leader, 47, and alluring Luck, 32.
Locals and real estate agents confirmed the group had sparked an unlikely property boom, with estimates they have bought up to 30 blocks and with new properties in high demand.
Related Coverage .. one of theirs .. Faithworks: The end of the world Herald Sun, 8 hours ago
"F YOU make plans after next Saturday, you are an optimist.
Followers joined forces in 2009 to buy a $400,000, 240ha property where they hold weekly meetings and plan to build a centre catering for international visitors.
In a bizarre coincidence, land clearing has created a giant cross on neighbouring properties that can be seen from space using Google Maps. Local residents insisted it was not carved deliberately.
[HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM .. NAUGHTY OR NOT?]
Police are said to have been called to investigate screams in the area, only to discover members taking part in a healing exercise where they shout to help process "past soul damage" and ill feelings.
Some residents complain they are being driven out of the quiet hamlet by the group, which resembles Debra Geileskey's Magnificat Meal Movement that drew scores of followers to Helidon near Toowoomba.
Queensland has a tradition of fostering fringe religious movements. Fugitive killer Luke Andrew Hunter was recaptured in February after 15 years on the run in which he hid out with the separate Jesus Group in the state's far north.
Concerned relatives and friends have been contacting the Cult Awareness and Information Centre to warn of Divine Truth followers selling family homes to move to Wilkesdale.
Centre spokeswoman Helen Pomery said: "The moment someone becomes God or God's voice on Earth it gives them another level of authority to enforce submission to them."
Anglican Archbishop Dr Phillip Aspinall and the Catholic church, unaware of the group until contacted by the Sunday Mail, urged people to be cautious when exploring new movements.
"This is especially true for people who are seeking meaning in their lives and, as a result, may be vulnerable," Dr Aspinall said.
Mr Miller was born in Loxton and has two children from a previous marriage, which he says ended after he "began to remember details" of his past life.
Tailoring his appearance to look like Jesus, he yesterday held a workshop in Albury, New South Wales, where he stood by his claims and said at least "30 or 40" people had bought blocks around Wilkesdale.
"Mary and myself haven't ever encouraged people to move out there. Some of the people we don't even know," he said.
In one recording he said: "There's probably a million people who say they're Jesus and most of them are in asylums. But one of us has to be. How do I know I am? Because I remember everything about my life."
Question is. Why couldn't this guy be Jesus. How would the churches know, if anyone claiming to be is the real McCoy, or not. Wouldn't skepticism be almost an insurmountable obstacle in any case?