What constitutes an abnormal person?

[gnomon]

I have been told there is no such thing as a normal or average person.

Now, I actually disagree with this as I think there are clear societal norms that could generally be agreed upon here.

What is normal/abnormal to you?

Anything wrong with being traditional even if your views may restrict others?

Where do we draw the line?

I will give forth more examples and views in due course...........

If you put food in the right hole and it's processed out of the right hole you are normal. If you do it the other way around you're a superstar.

 

[nnmartin]

. To me what constitutes normal is an averagely healthy person and beliefs would be effected accordingly. Not abnormal to be religious but if you actually start hearing voices then it should be investigated.

How about in the past though when people thought they were divinely inspired - that would have been considered normal. How about Paul in the NT of Bible, many laws or codes of conduct come from his 'vision'.

How is this different from a deranged serial killer using the excuse of 'God told me to do it' - how do we know which is correct?

As for beliefs, many people these days think you are weird if you believe in God or practise Wicca.

How about Dungeons and Dragons or Star Trek fans - they get some stick too but are they really abnormal?

 

[idav]

How about in the past though when people thought they were divinely inspired - that would have been considered normal. How about Paul in the NT of Bible, many laws or codes of conduct come from his 'vision'.

Some believe Paul had Epilepsi, the type that causes hallucinations.

How is this different from a deranged serial killer using the excuse of 'God told me to do it' - how do we know which is correct?

That is schytsophrenia, a bit worse than Epilespi in the psychosis department but neither are normal healthy brains.

As for beliefs, many people these days think you are weird if you believe in God or practise Wicca.

Where I live it is pretty common. I didn't say there was anything with belief.

How about Dungeons and Dragons or Star Trek fans - they get some stick too but are they really abnormal?

You mean those abnormally smart dudes. Have you seen "The Big Bang Theory".

 

[nnmartin]

the case with the insane crimimal is similar to people who believe they are prophets or the second Incarnation of Jesus - how do we actually know they are not?

Perhaps God really is telling them to do it for example and Jesus has already come for a second time but no-one believed Him.

didn't the real Jesus get murdered for just saying the Truth?

what about some cult leaders like David Koresh - maybe he was for real, ever thought that?

 

[Drolefille]

Psychology and its practitioners generally avoid the word. There's no actual definition.

 

[idav]

the case with the insane crimimal is similar to people who believe they are prophets or the second Incarnation of Jesus - how do we actually know they are not?

Perhaps God really is telling them to do it for example and Jesus has already come for a second time but no-one believed Him.

didn't the real Jesus get murdered for just saying the Truth?

what about some cult leaders like David Koresh - maybe he was for real, ever thought that?

Yes I've considered it. Abnormal doesn't mean good or bad, could be either but healthy is important.