Are Believers Delusional?

[Stonetree]

If I understand the OP, the question asked included the issue of claiming an entitlement for believers of one or another belief system and is 'central' to this discussion while delusion is 'ancillary'.

 

[JIMMY12345]

via What Are Delusions?
The DSM also makes an exception for religiously held beliefs.

So, currently, believers are not seen as delusional.

But should they?

I think that they should when their beliefs lead to a sense of entitlement. There are enough examples, historical and present, that fall under that category.
"We shall conquer that land because it was given to us by our god."
"We deserve tax exemption because we believe in an invisible, higher being."
"I deserve special respect because of my irrational beliefs." (Blasphemy laws)
"You should vote for me, because I got called by my god to run for office."

Technically, it wouldn't even touch on the religious beliefs, only on the resulting entitlement, but even that seems to be a taboo.

What do you think, is someone who thinks that they are entitled to special treatment because of their beliefs, delusional?

 

[JIMMY12345]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness whether delusional or not.
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

 

[Heyo]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness whether delusional or not.
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

I don't mind delusional people pursuing happiness - as long as they do it with the same resources as everybody else.