Religion a mental illness?

[Brettongarcia]

153. Though you are not saying it, Freud said "all religion is delusion"; Dr. Pierre, Journ. Psych. Prac.

Here's a quote from the article by Dr. Pierre in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2001:

"Faith or delusion? At the crossroads of religion and psychosis.
Pierre JM.
Author information
Abstract
In clinical practice, no clear guidelines exist to distinguish between "normal" religious beliefs and "pathological" religious delusions. Historically, psychiatrists such as Freud have suggested that all religious beliefs are delusional, while the current DSM-IV definition of delusion exempts religious doctrine from pathology altogether. From an individual standpoint, a dimensional approach to delusional thinking (emphasizing conviction, preoccupation, and extension rather than content) may be useful in examining what is and is not pathological. When beliefs are shared by others, the idiosyncratic can become normalized. Therefore, recognition of social dynamics and the possibility of entire delusional subcultures is necessary in the assessment of group beliefs. Religious beliefs and delusions alike can arise from neurologic lesions and anomalous experiences, suggesting that at least some religious beliefs can be pathological. Religious beliefs exist outside of the scientific domain; therefore they can be easily labeled delusional from a rational perspective. However, a religious belief's dimensional characteristics, its cultural influences, and its impact on functioning may be more important considerations in clinical practice. "


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15990520

Here it is noted that it is hard to distinguish between good and bad religion; functional or pathological.
But it is noted that "psychiatrists such have Freud have suggested that all religious beliefs are delusional." If religion is delusional, and religion is taught, then delusions are taught to people by Religion.
And? Religion is said to have - note causal - "impact on functioning"

Interestingly, Pierre notes that delusions furthermore, can become accepted as normative in a culture. So if a given religion is regarded as normal and even functional by a given culture, that does not mean it is not simply a widely-accepted delusion:

"When beliefs are shared by others, the idiosyncratic can become normalized. Therefore, recognition of social dynamics and the possibility of entire delusional subcultures is necessary in the assessment of group beliefs. "

Here we begin to see the SOCIAL aspect of delusion.