Among my acquaintances are people who devote themselves to religion. It seems to occupy their thoughts all or most of the time. Does that fit the definition of obsession?

Obsession defined: "��the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.

"[From] psychiatry: a persistent idea or impulse that continually forces its way into consciousness, often associated with anxiety and mental illness

"��a persistent preoccupation, idea, or feeling."

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/OBSESSION?fromRef=true

I think only you would know


the simple definition of obsession can be applied to any standards or morals that people live their lives by, so not all obsession is bad by that definition

I think its only negative if it affects ones ability to function and be productive


I know people who are occupied with how they will pay the bills next week, because they are struggling, so it seems something they SHOULD occupy themselves with

we have people spending a great deal of time occupied with caring after their kids, providing and protecting them and all the things that come with doing that too

so , religion can be an obsession as much as career or family or patriotism or any list of things

and for good reason,, depending upon the person and their circumstances

Hmm, this definition and these symptoms also seem to fit perfectly with people who have full time jobs- occupies most of their thoughts- causes stress and anxiety. I suppose that means about 93% of Americans are obsessed then eh? Just think, they're focused on some form of labor for *8* hours a day or more. Talk about unhealthy. Possibly the result of a life that overemphasizes the importance of consumerism. Who knows. xD

I'm not really sure how the above fits a full time job. Is it just because you spend so much time at work? That's why they call it full time. Though as soon as I leave work, I stop thinking about it.

With religion, some think about it all the time, whether they're at work, home or anywhere else.

Yes, I'm aware it's called full time, hence the 8 hour reference.

And it fits perfectly within the definition. 8 hours of focus on a job or a task, daily, sometimes seven days a week. So much time spent thinking in one context is surely grounds for obsession; moreover long-term full time work inevitably leads to stress and worry. The symptoms are covered as well as the initial criteria.

P.S. I don't actually believe any of the above. I was making fun of the definition and how flawed it is. Also- people who work sometimes think about it all the time, whether they're at home, abroad, or in church I daresay. =)

Yes, some people are obsessed with work, but certainly not all. Just as some are obsessed with religion.

That's certainly true, and is the general point I was hinting at with my initial post. It's the idea that in human nature there are people who find themselves obsessed, not just with religion, but with virtually anything that tickles their fancy. Religious people finding themselves obsessed are no special example of the rule, just one of many. So to observe it and take note isn't so much a comment on the effects of religion on the human psyche so much as it is a reflection of typical human behavior, in this case pronounced by extreme religiosity.

I don't think the OP was saying everyone who is religious is obsessed. He was saying those who devote themselves to religion, as in those who are always thinking about it and making it the primary focus of their lives.

I never implied he was. Although he certainly wasn't saying they are merely always thinking about it and making it their primary focus. He quite clearly, by using his definition, claimed that his religious friends are obsessed. I was countering the implication that religion is somehow tied to the cause of that obsession, when rather it is merely one of many objects that a person may allow themselves to be obsessed by.

Because the truth is, obsession will grip anyone who finds one thing important above all others and loses balance. Obsession will take hold of what it will. Not the other way around.

You missed what I was trying to say. I was simply explaining why I thought he said his friends were obsessed, rather than all religious people were obsessed. Of course, only he can really exain what he meant.

At any rate, I agree that some people are absolutely obsessed with religion.

I understood that perfectly, which was why my previous response addressed precisely what you just said. And I never said anyone believes all religious people are obsessed so I'm not sure where that came into the picture. Also there's really no need for explanation. He made it quite clear what he thinks and the subtext of *his* comments, not yours, is what I was countering.

A qualified yes from me David.....Anyone can develop an obsession about anything...We've all seen it and some of us even apply labels...Religious freaks, fitness freaks, workaholics, politicians (I just threw that in for shock value ), sports fanatics, stalkers, and more....In the early stages, new Christians have a tendency to become obsessive...Their obsessiveness seems to be driven by feelings of euphoria which, for most, subside over time....IMO, a preoccupation with anything is unhealthy because it's limiting...As my mother used to say, "Everything in moderation."...

Notice that in the OP I asked a question -- and made NO claim that anyone was obsessed.

The definition is not "mine", but is from Dictionary.com as cited.

Agree.

We might add that a temporary preoccupation may be necessitated by circumstances and need not be unhealthy unless extended beyond the original cause.