Is religion an addiction?

[criostiona]

I was reading an article online today about a born again and his crusade against everything he doesn't believe in.  While the article itself wasn't that great (mainly because it made me mad) it was a comment at the end of the article that got me thinking.

The man in the article used to be an alcoholic before he gave it up for religion.  The commenter said it was typical for people with addictive personalities to give up one addiction (alcohol) for another (religion).  So, do you think religion is an addiction?  If so, does that mean you think it can be cured?  A 12-step program for overcoming religion?

[The White Coyote]

 That's a big YOWSUH Criostiona! Religion can very much become an addiction. Just like gambling, pornography, drugs, alcohol, even things like self mutilation and tattooing can become addictive. People with addictive personalities (such as yours truly) can fall into addiction quite easily and not even see it coming. Addictions tied to a physical object, ie drugs, tobbacco, alcohol are actually easier to cure then mental addictions like religion. Trying to "cure" someone of religion is virtually impossible, but that's not to say that they can't "cure" themselves. A person addicted to religion has their ears plugged, their eyes covered and their mind closed to anything that goes against their belief. Until they themselves undo their bonds, they will never change their mnds.
  Before there were Indian casinos, the reservations had 2 serious problems with addictions. One was alcohol but the second was Bingo of all things. Women especially would spend the rent money, borrow money and even prostitute themselves just to get enough cash to play Bingo.
  My uncle was a terrible alcoholic. He went though detox 4 times. The last time he was in a coma for two weeks. When they finally thought he was well enough to go home, the doctors told him that just one more drink would likely kill him. On the way home from detox he had the cab stop at the liquor store and bought a fifth of gin. He went home, wrote a note and drank the entire bottle.When they found him in the garage the note only said: "I would rather be dead then live without my booze."
  Religious addicts won't listen to rational thoughts. They deny science prefering magic. They argue against facts and nobody can change their minds for them. My sister is addicted to religion but fortunately she is a "social addict" not an abuser.

[Storybook]

I think humans in general have addictive tendencies.  Most people are addicted to something at some point in their life.  I also think that some people are neurotic when it comes to religion because it becomes an obsession.  I have religious friends that are preoccupied with consulting, worshiping, thinking about, praying, etc. to their imaginary deity all day long.  What a waste of time and energy!

[Ungodly]

  So, do you think religion is an addiction?  If so, does that mean you think it can be cured?  A 12-step program for overcoming religion?

I think there are some people who fit this model, people who are obsessed with their religious delusions.  Unfortunately my first-born son would often get this way during a manic phase.  He had bipolar disorder.  Once when he was very manic a fucking Fundamentalist preacher sat him down to watch the Jimmy Stewart movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and the next day he committed suicide.

Usually the word addiction is reserved for cases where a repetitive behavior is thought to be harmful to a person.  Alcohol can be addictive for some people, yet many others take it or leave it with no harm.

Religion is much the same.  In small doses it is like the slight traces of toxins in many foods, not enough to hurt you.

As the dosage of religion is increased we see destructive behaviors, like preaching homophobia, invading foreign countries based on a pack of lies to please Jeebus, and my son hanging himself to go live with his Imaginary Bearded Sky Daddy.

Our bodies have organs like the kidneys and the liver to help deal with poisons we ingest.  Critical thinking and skepticism can help protect us from poisonous ideas.

People can become addicted to poisons, but it does not always happen.

Like any other poison, the smaller the dose of religion, the better your chance of surviving the experience.

[The White Coyote]

 I have never lost a son like my brother Steve so I don't know that pain, yet, (my son is a heroin addict so it's only a matter of time.) But I have lost friends and family to the addiction of religion. It is a pain that never goes away and it is compounded by the fact that the person is still alive and walking around.

 Always, always, always look into the eyes of someone you fear is addicted to anything and you will know

[criostiona]

I'm sorry to hear that so many of you have suffered the effects of watching someone addicted to something waste away before your eyes.  Like Storybook, I believe we are all addicted to something.  I will openly admit my weakness to shoes.    I wasn't sure how I felt about religion being an addiction when I posted this, and I'm still not certain.  I can see both sides of the argument.

Certainly religion is nowhere near as destructive as drugs or alcohol.  However, I can think of a coworker who will not miss Wednesday night and Sunday sermons even when deathly ill.  To me, that seems extreme.  When someone can walk away, maybe it's not a problem.  However, when they can't seem to say no (like my shoes) then maybe that's when it borders problem territory.

[Storybook]

Your shoe addiction is relatively harmless unless you are spending so much money on shoes that you can't feed yourself or pay your bills.  Enjoy those shoes!  Life is short so do the things that bring you joy!

[Ungodly]

Certainly religion is nowhere near as destructive as drugs or alcohol. 

This might be true very often, but not always.

The 3,000 people that died on 9/11 were not killed over drugs or alcohol.

[criostiona]

This might be true very often, but not always.

The 3,000 people that died on 9/11 were not killed over drugs or alcohol.

You bring up a very, very good point that I had not even considered.

[The White Coyote]

Certainly religion is nowhere near as destructive as drugs or alcohol.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. More people have died, suffered, been tortured and abandoned over religion than any other single entity. Look back in history and you will find religion at the root of more destructive behavior than drugs or alcohol could ever have thought about.