"_ Prof. Jonez> _" <theprof@jonez.net> wrote:

[...]

Theism and sanity are contradictions in terms. God belief is a
delusion.

Not under any psychological definition of the word delusion.

Thank you for proving me correct. It's always nice when you
do it.

Delusional Disorder
Non-bizarre delusions including feelings of being followed,
poisoned, infected, deceived or conspired against, or loved at a
distance.

To the best of my knowledge, none of this is occurring to me.
Sure, it would be nice to be loved from/at a distance, but Lindsay is
pretty close, and I've seen nothing from anyone else I see to give
even a hint that this is happening.

Non-bizarre
referred to real life situations which could be true, but are not or
are greatly exaggerated.

Sort of like the idea that you could ever be honest about
anything? While it could be true, EVERYONE knows it's not.

Bizarre delusions, which would rule out this disorder, are those
such as believing that your stomach is missing or that aliens are
seeking you out to be their leader.

I'm fairly certain my stomach is still inside my body. Was
yours removed recently?
It would be neat if space aliens came to earth wanting me to
be their leader, but since I doubt they are visiting earth for any
reason, presuming they exist at all, there is NO chance they want me
to be their leader.
You must be the one they want, huh? Lucky you.

These patients, who tend to be in their 40's, may be may not realise
that they have a delusional disorder until it is pointed out by
family or friends.

No family or friends have ever made mention of anything like
this applying to me. To date, only you, a person who simply can't be
honest about anything, ever, has.
That you are claiming this applies to me, even in implication,
is extremely strong evidence that it doesn't apply to me.

Even
the diagnosis may be difficult because many do not voluntarily seek
treatment.

So you getting help will probably never happen, huh?

They are frequently hypersensitive and argumentative.

This is a thesis someone wrote about you, isn't it?

Although they may perform
well occupationally and in areas distant from their delusions, they
tend to be social isolates

Which is why I suspect you have no friends.

either by preference or as a result of their interpersonal
inhospitality (i.e., spouses frequently abandon them).

I'm sorry your wife left you. Honestly. However, it may have
been for the best. I have no idea what your married life was like, so
I can't know.
Fortunately for me, Lindsay and I have been together for a
VERY long time. And there's no indication that this will ever change.

Social and occupational
dysfunction, when it occurs, usually is in direct response to their
delusions.

Cause:

The cause of delusional disorder is not known. Some studies suggest
a biological component due to increased prevalence in first degree
relatives of individuals with the disorder.

Do other members of your family show the above listed signs?

There is a tendency for their family relationships to be
characterized by turbulence, callousness, and coldness yet the
significance of the patter is unclear typical defense mechanisms
seen in these patients include denial, projection, and regression.

Wow. Text book Vox/Ultra/Jonez/whatever.
Either you are more ill than I ever thought, or your on-line
persona was modeled after this condition. Only you can tell everyone
which is correct. Of course, your inability to be honest will need to
be kept in mind, if you tell us.

A delusional disorder appears to run distinct from schizophrenia and
mood disorders, and does not appear to be a prodrome to either of
these conditions.

Biologic Theories: the relatively common occurrence of delusions in
neurological illness has led investigators to speculate on the role
of the limbic system, basal ganglia, and neocortical association
areas. No good current unifying theory

Psychodynamic Theories: use of the defense mechanisms of reaction
formation, denial, projection: e.g. paranoia

I haven't seen anything I would classify as paranoia from you,
however, the reaction formation, denial and projection (heavy on the
projection) all match you.

Treatment:

Hospitalize if patient is a danger to self or others, need a rapid
diagnostic work-up. Antipsychotic drugs are the drugs of choice,
efficacy is not clear.

You should look into getting on drug theory then. It may well
help you.
Discus the matter with your doctor. S/He will be in a much
better position to determine if this is the correct course of
treatment for you.

Counseling and Psychotherapy [ See Therapy Section ]:

You'll have to admit you have the problem for this to be of
any benefit. Since you can't be honest, this won't happen.

Pharmacotherapy [ See Psychopharmacology Section ] :

This is going to be your best option at this time IMO.
Consult your doctor for a professional opinion.

Medications can be helpful but are often refused due to the nature
of the disorder. Some individuals function quite normally, while
others may react to their delusion in ways that can greatly disrupt
their life.

Until you begin a drug theory program, there is no real way to
know how you'll react. Your doctor will likely want to monitor you
closely when you first begin, if this is the chosen route.

Antipsychotics: Doses and Side Effects for Chronic Use

Antipsychotics.
Chlorpromazine.
Thioridazine.
Trifluoperazine.
Thiothixene.
Fluphenazine.
Haloperidol.

Discus these medications with your doctor. Find out which
would work best for your level of illness. And follow your doctor's
orders regarding any medication prescribed.

Martin Phipps wrote:

"° Shanghai Lil °" <L...@Shanghai.cn> wrote in
messagenews:463bee11$0$16377$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...

We cannot conclude that god exists or does not exist
Gods existance is unknown
The atheist position is correct

That's not the atheist position. You've done a GREAT job of
explaining the agnostic position.

Which is also the atheist position .. you are confusing atheist
with the subset "strong-atheist", who not only have a lack of
theism (ie no belief in gods) but also a belief that gods to not
exists.

A-theism = without theism
Strong A-theism = strongly without theism

How about

a-theism = without theism and
(strong) athe-ism = a strong belief in the absense of any gods

Nope, atheism of any strength LACKS belief, by definition

A-theism = without theism
atheism is the *antonym* of theism regardless of how
strong or weak you flavor it.

Why is it always the THEISTS who can't comprehend a simple
definition?