Religion is a Mental Illness

Believers like to describe their god as a “loving parent.” Well, let’s imagine that parent.

This parent leaves confusing instructions through a third party, then disappears, leaving the kids unattended. Doesn’t show up when the kids all get sick, doesn’t show up when the house is on fire, doesn’t show up when the kids are fighting and literally killing each other, doesn’t help when the kids are starving or dying of thirst. And yet, it hasn’t actually left, so this doesn’t come from neglect or unawareness. This parent is quietly watching the household on the hidden video cameras the whole time, making plans for which of the kids will be tortured for doing things that it doesn’t like - but didn’t stop or prevent - or defying its instructions - that it didn’t make clear.

It’s worse than this “loving god” being silent, invisible and inertly irresponsible. Rather, it’s passively malevolent.

“God” remains silent.