Neuroscientist: Religious Fundamentalism Could Be Treated As A Mental Illness

I have personally come to believe that there just isn't something mentally right about Christian fundamentalists who have a bizarre need to believe that the Bible is 100% inerrant and often react in a way that borders hysteria when confronted with anyone or anything which challenges their close minded belief system.  It is a mindset, of course which is loved by the Albert Mohlers and Tony Perkins of the world because (i) it makes their sheep like followers easier to control and (ii) it makes it far easier to fleece them for money so that Mohler and Perkins can live well.  Now, a British neuroscientist suggest that religious fundamentalism may well be a treatable form of mental illness.  The beliefs may vary - e.g., Christian extremism versus Islamic extremism - but the mental state that needs/allows the indoctrination and creates a willingness to blindly follow seems to be similar.  Here are highlights from Huffington Post:

An Oxford University researcher and author specializing in neuroscience has suggested that one day religious fundamentalism may be treated as a curable mental illness.

Kathleen Taylor, who describes herself as a "science writer affiliated to the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics," made the suggestion during a presentation on brain research at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales on Wednesday.

In response to a question about the future of neuroscience, Taylor said that "One of the surprises may be to see people with certain beliefs as people who can be treated," The Times of London notes.

“Someone who has for example become radicalised to a cult ideology -- we might stop seeing that as a personal choice that they have chosen as a result of pure free will and may start treating it as some kind of mental disturbance," Taylor said. “In many ways it could be a very positive thing because there are no doubt beliefs in our society that do a heck of a lot of damage."

This is not the first time Taylor has explored the mind processes of a radical. In 2006, she wrote a book about mind control called Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control, which explored the science behind the persuasive tactics of such groups as cults and al Qaeda.

"We all change our beliefs of course," Taylor said in a YouTube video about the book. "We all persuade each other to do things; we all watch advertising; we all get educated and experience [religions.] Brainwashing, if you like, is the extreme end of that; it's the coercive, forceful, psychological torture type."

Personally, I view raising children in Christian fundamentalist homes to be a form of child abuse since the damage done can affect individuals' lives for their entire lives. Raising children to be full of fear, hate and close mindedness is not a positive thing for society.