William James, The Varieties of Religious Experiences

[marylandblue]

16. This doesn't fit the dominant debate terms here, which are limited to

1) discussing whether or not proof is needed of God's existence.
2) Whether or not religion plays any role at all in religious oppression (can't believe that's an actual debate, but it is), and
3) Meta-discussions about logical fallacies.

On the actual subject of James' writings, I read The Varieties of Religious Experience a long time ago and he introduced me to the idea that religion was a refuge and a treatment for mental illness and still is today. I think people who experience depression or hallucinations have found a way to deal with and find meaning in their sufferings through religion. I also think some of the ancient prophets may have been schizhophrenic, and the Psalmist was bipolar.

I think people still use religion this way today because modern psychiatry still can't cure many mentally ill people.