Psychiatric aspects of religious experiences

Journal/Book: Z Klin Psychol Psychiatr Psyc. 1997; 45: Postfach 2540, W-4790 Paderborn, Germany. Verlag Ferdinand Schoningh. 145-156.

Abstract: Psychiatric studies of religious behavior that appears to be abnormal in a statistical sense prove some complementarity of psychiatry and theology. If psychiatry does not misunderstand itself as a discipline denunciating religion, it necessarily has to conclude that mysticism, ecstasies and visions are not principally pathological. In endogenous psychoses (mostly in schizophrenia), in toxic psychoses and in hysteric conditions clearly pathological behavior may occur. On the other hand, history shows that there lived and still live religiously highly gifted men and women, who like political, artistic or scientific geniuses have realized significant achievements lasting longer than their own epoch. The seemingly homologous nature of mystic and erotic ecstasies has irritated quite a few investigators. The phenomenological similarities of these behavior patterns are due to the limited capacities in expressing extreme human feelings. Religious geniuses are specially gifted to communicate with the godly numinosum and to formulate significant theology. Scientific psychiatry may agree with Max Planck and John Eccles who see no contradictions in science and religion. Because of its diagnostic limitations psychiatry has to acknowledge that non-pathological communication with God is beyond the range of psychopathology. On the other side, recent theology feels critical about visions and ecstasies.

Note: Article Heinrich K, Univ Dusseldorf, Rhein Landes & Hsch Klin, Psychiat Klin, Berg Landstr 2, D-40629 Dusseldorf, GERMANY

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