It is a most interesting study. When one studies anthropology, one can
see how the "need" for belief in a higher being evolved from early man.
And it served a purpose. But now in the year 2017, do we really need to
believe in fairy tales anymore? Can we classify being very religious as
having a form of mental disorder?
First, love your name because i love Kpop. Anyway, the first impression that I got from your post was why are you asking questions and answering them too? Then I read the entire post. I agree to some degree in what you posted about the second question, especially in the sense that there isn't neither easy nor simple answers.
I can see how religion can attract people with mental health problems, not intentionally (in essence). When you look at many religious organizations, they all love bragging about how well people's lives become after they join them. Of course that's going to be appealing at people who are suffering. In similar manner, it's not just the message, but also the way it is delivered that tend to attract people with mental health issues. So no, it's not religion itself.
Additionally, religious people who display signs of not being all there are one thing, religion is another different one. It's evident that the same manifestations from people with mental problems are seen in other entities that are not religious. Furthermore, when you look at religion as part of culture (there are many cultures that go to church and practice religion just because that's what they do), you cannot tell that those people have any kind of mental health problems.
Finally, they may not be that visible, but there are well balance, functional people of faith who are religious and there's nothing wrong with them. They do exist, and they are not one or two people.
I wouldn't say a person has a mental health issue simply because (s)he is religious. That's a little too vague and general. religion, just like everything else, can be misused and abused.
