Good evening ME,
Thank you for an interesting blog.
Lately you have been writing quite a bit about your religion. I am curious , do you REALLY believe in any of your religion? One of the basic traits of sociopaths is, according to Hare and others, “free from delusions” and I dare say that anyone who is not delusional cannot believe in any religion since they by definition require you to believe something that clearly cannot be true (mostly because there never is any real evidence at all, just books and pastors but also because if you look at any religion with a clear mind it is quite obvious that people believe it because others have told them to believe it in combination with that reality(there is no heaven etc. ) is unbearable for empaths).
I am not saying there cannot be grains of truths and/or wisdom in any religion but the basic tenets cannot an are not true. Do you see this?
Yeah, I realize that a lot of people don't understand, or don't like, or don't like reading about how I relate to religion. And I'm sorry if it seemed like I over-posted about it before. I don't mean to inundate readers with anything they'd rather not hear about. I started posting more about religion when the book came out because I was no longer as worried about hiding certain aspects of myself from being used to identify me. Before that, I intentionally kept most of what I posted generic, both for the identity purposes and so people who shared those traits could project their own experiences onto what I wrote to be able to relate better. After doing that for several years, I thought that it might be interesting to change it up by giving people a more fleshed out portrayal of someone who has been diagnosed with this disorder. I know some of you didn't like that change, just like someone of you didn't like any of the other changes that I've made or things that I've done in the public eye. But I don't really know what I'm doing or have a master plan. I just try things out and sometimes they work ok and sometimes they are disasters.
But yeah, after the book came out I started talking more about things I had been quiet about before: being female, more about being in my particular profession, and more about some of my other specific formative life experiences. Because I do feel like a lot of the way I think and present to the world is influenced by these things: growing up in a big, smart, (a little trashy) Mormon family; being female; studying and practicing law; being American and a Californian; being a classically-trained musician; etc. I don't think those things necessarily have much or anything to do with sociopathy, but they do have something to do with the sorts of choices I make in how I live my life. And I realize that a lot of people (most?) are not interested in me as a person, and I realize a lot of you believe that I am a narcissist for various reasons (maybe even narcissistic personality disorder? which I definitely show signs of), including that I talk about myself a lot (and use the word I and me a lot and seem delusional, or as my friend puts it, like a megalomaniac). But thanks everyone for your feedback and I hope to do better. But also sometimes I wrote posts more for niche audiences (or at least hope to), because although I understand that not everyone is interested in certain topics or certain aspects about me, I think others are? Maybe other Mormons, other musicians, other INTJs, or other people who have been diagnosed as having Asperger's (as my most recent therapist suggested, funnily enough). And often I just use this blog as sort of a journaling project to write about the things that are on my mind, not knowing whether they will appeal to outside audience or not. So feel free to skip the posts you find boring or inapplicable, and hopefully we'll pick up with something more to your liking in a later post.
But here is what I replied to this reader:
This is an interesting question. First, I think that everyone suffers from delusions because we cannot correctly perceive or understand reality. So when they say free from delusions, I think they are largely making the distinction that sociopaths do not suffer from psychosis. There may also be a small distinction between other personality disorders like narcissism, which seem to be a little more out of touch with reality than sociopathy manages to be?
In response to religion being delusional, we are always being delusional in some unknown way. We used to believe that homosexuality was unnatural and a mental illness. We used to bleed people. We used to think the world was flat. I do not flatter myself that I would have been immune to any of those delusions had I lived in those times and with that knowledge. I'm aware that the things we don't know vastly exceed the things we do know. So believing, perhaps delusionally, in religion is not a problem for me.
If anything, it has helped me to manage having a personality disorder. For instance, although I don't really feel like I am any particular person or have a strong sense of self, my religion teaches me that I am, I have a soul, and so does everyone else, and our main job in life is to become more perfectly who we were meant to become and to help others to do the same. My religion teaches me that just because I have done bad things does not mean that I am a bad person who is incapable of ever changing or doing good things (or my dad, or anyone else who has hurt me in the past). My religion teaches me that my brain and other physical defects can distort how I see the world, who I believe myself to be, and how I act in a way that is not really "me", and I can do things to minimize those effects and (eventually) become free from those. My religion also teaches me rules of morality are not determined by consensus and that I shouldn't worry about the judgment of other people so much as the judgment of a more perfect arbiter, so I try to focus on the big stuff, like achieving enlightenment, and not necessarily on the small bad stuff that currently happens to be most controversial in the world. My religion teaches me that although I can change, I have been given certain gifts that are essential to humanity, that no one is trash or sans value, and that all of us have a specific role to fulfill as part of the body of Christ. I'm sure some or all of this sounds ridiculous, but the net effects of believing it are good for me, and so I (like everyone else in this world?) maintain certain beliefs that are good for me that may otherwise seem entirely specious.
"if free will didn't exist we'd still be better off believing in it."
— M.E. (@sociopathworld) April 11, 2014
Sorry for all of the recycled posts. I'm on vacation.
Also, this Brene Brown video on returning to religion as a researcher.
This does puzzle me considerately. I live a evidence based life, IF I lack evidence than I fall back onto logic or probability until some evidence is gained. I've said before I'm an Atheist ( Lacking belief in any deity or supernatural process (This includes a soul) )
ReplyDeleteSo with no evidence I can only hold to. There is no evidence but there probably isn't any deity. IF evidence should arrive than I change with that. But even people assuming something as simple as.. why is the religion you are born into of all the others the correct one?
So reasons to adhere to any religion. I can understand perhaps using a religion as moral guidance. But deep down I have found no moral religion only ones that cherry pick 'morals' when it suits. But I suppose you can skim the 'lite' version of a religion and just use those cherry picked bits as a general guide.
Do you fear inevitable non-existence M.E Thomas? IF you believe in a soul this suggests you think you will continue. But damage a human brain and you change them.. can make them have a new personality effectively ending ( the existence) the person that was there before. This fly's into the face of soul claims. Even the feeling of dying and going to a light is replicated in the lab, Easily in fact it even tends to fulfill the persons current expectations and belief system. This further shows the form of the vision is a delusion.
Perhaps its company for community, I can understand using a religion to blend in for company. But most of all I can understand using a religion to keep the true self hidden. People make assumptions that you have to be religious to be moral. That would be a nice cover. Assumptions are a good tool to use.
This is moral "If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her."
I believe if she is not married to the person who raped her she will be stoned to death.. its laughable
If a 'god' ( Zeus, Yahweh , Allah , Thor ) is the source of morality than what is moral.. if that god commands you to murder someone it is moral to murder them now. So why a religion.
I try to adhere to the law as a guide. ( So people know adultery is not against the law where I am, grounds for divorce and the book being thrown at you for sure but not against the law ) I also try to avoid doing things that will show my true self. I try to use logic and reason. This will affect that, and that will have an impact on me.
But also I feel it is down to personal choice. If she wishes to have an affair with me than it is HER choice. She is an adult she can decide, and it is her choice no one or any 'thing' Else's.
"Even the feeling of dying and going to a light is replicated in the lab"
DeleteWhat is the scientific explanation for the tunnel of light people near death describe?
What about raping an older woman?
DeleteStill avoiding the question of what kind of work you do...
Deletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/why-do-young-men-rape-elderly-women-and-why-does-nobody-care-a-special-report-by-linda-grant-on-a-shocking-crime-which-it-seems-we-all-prefer-to-ignore-1408839.html
DeleteAnonymous 2: I believe the morals of another Abrahamic religion shows what will happen to an older woman. I think in Islam, if she was raped than she should have screamed. If her screams were not heard, than she must have wanted it all along. She would be stoned, for enticing men to rape her. Pretty sure deep down all the Abrahamic religions have this level of 'morals' Islam is just more openly truthful to it.
DeleteBut my point being, religion as a source of moral guidance is laughable.
A source of power or manipulation of making people think you are more moral than you are. I can understand, but being a believer and or source of morals.. Honestly I would find it believable that sociopaths attend religion ( more likely are the leaders ) more often than not. Its perfect for the mask if you live in a society where religion matters that is.
Anonymous 3 Why does it matter?
Initially I was just curious, but now that you won't answer it's making it strange. So what kind of work do ya do? No judgments here..
DeleteI just simply love this woman named M.E. Thomas! I love
ReplyDeletethe way she writes (Though I am a little concerned how her
answer starts out. It seems like a little disassociated rambling.
Have you been under pressure lately?) I like MOST of the topics
she is interested in, how she comes across and what her stated
objectives are.
I made it a point to study her escoterically. I used the best method
out there. It's called Chaldean Numerology. All of M.E.'s comments
about herself in the above posting jibe with Chaldean numerology.
M.E. said that her past is very instramental in molding her. It
sure is. M.E.'s real life name begins with the letter "J."
Observe the letter J's shape. Look at the bottom of J. In what
direction does J point? It points backwards towards the past.
The "past" is VERY IMPORTANT to people who's names begin with
the letter J. The often have settles to score. A type of "I'll show
them!" attitude.
"J" is also concerned with "J" ustice. But sometimes "J" can be a bit
overzealous. Like former F.B.I. director "J' Edgar Hoover. People
also learn the law at the "J" ohn "J" College of Criminal "J"ustice in
N.Y. So it's no surprise at all that M.E. chose the LAW as her
profession.
M.E.'s first name adds up to the number 12. The first name is the
"outer" name. It's the image you bring forth into the world. The
number 12 is an intellectual scholarlly number. It's an instructor's
number. M.E. is a law PROFESSOR at a university. Again this makes
perfect sense. M.E.'s middle of "internal" name adds up to 21, a
REVERSAL of 12. M.E.'s personal, "hidden" world is something of a
masqurade. This is what we would expect from a sociopath. She's
putting on a "Face" ade.
The letter "R," which begins M.E.'s middle name has the number
value of 2. Though M.E. doesn't state it much, she does have
concerns about her "loveabilty." She does wonder if she is up to
the "give and take" necessary for a sucessful relationship.
That's NOT to worry, because the ENTIRE numeracall value of
M.E.'s name comes out it 51/6. "6" is the "loving" number of
domesticisty. M.E. DOES have what it takes to give and recieve
love. Whether she acknowledges it or not, the entire purpose of
this blog is to display love to the unloved (sociopaths).
For a more extensive report on M.E., read "The Neverending
Newsletter on www.thereadingroom101.com.
Irrelevant. I don't know why you wasted your time with that... What will you ever do with that information...
DeleteHmm, after trying to make sense of this I conclude that this needs to be filed in the WTF file. That file is a good one to open when you have done mind altering drugs that make everything seem connected in one beautiful terrifying conspiracy.
DeleteDefinitely, WTF!... But the past isn't backwards. The past is in front of you, as you walk, where you can see it. The future is the one backwards, where you still can't see it, until you arrive there. We're walking backwards.
DeleteBut aren´t hollow folks in general the most cynical folks on Earth, "yeah right"- people? The image of Jesus most likely angers the psycho, this "blackmailing" character having died for mankinds sins just to pop up again & claim that they have unpaid debts to him! A deity not even being able to stop his own execution by folks his father created from mud or dust. One can almost see a psycho having listened to these stories for the first time, surely one can see a "tightness" around the eyes & lip movements signalling pure & utter disgust?
ReplyDeleteHollow folks are people who are the least likely to be manipulated by guilt. But they are still vulnerable to greed, lust, envy, pride, rage, inertia (sloth), and overindulgence. Their cynicism (while evident whenever moral pronouncements are being made) isn't global. I don't think the image of Jesus angers the sociopath- it probably triggers a sly smile because the sociopath knows they are above that sort of manipulation but can use it on others. I actually think those that get angry or display tightness around the eyes and lips are very much prone to guilt but are trying overly hard to repress it.
DeleteI think that religion is an incredibly powerful part of the successful mask a high functioning sociopath creates. Sociopaths are so effective because they intuit the hidden levers within a target's personality. They understand that that having the right religious buzzwords and public behavior standards buys them trust with many (or at least a short term version of it).
ReplyDeleteIt's also useful because non sociopaths like to justify their behaviors to reduce guilt and shame. Having a facile understanding of scriptures and being able to help non sociopaths reduce their neurosis by allowing them to express their dark side but still manage to self justify makes the sociopath an invaluable friend to any conflicted individual (for example- a family man who is tempted to have an affair). The sociopath's nuanced understanding of the scriptures/teachings that constrain the target's behavior allows the sociopath to align themselves with the target by offer "permission" to act against the same morality both are supposedly operating under. That way the target doesn't have to feel like a "bad person" and still gets to act outré. Meanwhile, the sociopath now has "dirt" on that person that can be used (if necessary) at a later date.
In the gospel accounts of Jesus in the desert being tempted by Satan, I see the three temptations as being the classic sociopathic ploy of offering a "shortcut" to the moral end (first, material comfort, the second for fame, the third for power). Essentially, sociopaths use religion with their targets to convince them to go against conscience,and to "have their cake and eat it too". What the target rarely realizes is that there is always a catch- once you begin violating internal standards of morality based on the sociopathic justifications, the sociopath is now in possession of the target's moral agency and self concept, making the target a pawn.
Anyone who is surprised by religion and ME doesn't understand high functioning sociopaths. They are still thinking of sociopaths as devil may care fuck ups who die young.
Some sociopaths and narcissists are genuine believers who were brainwashed at an early age. There is a 50% chance that there is an afterlife so who's to say they're deluded?
DeleteI wouldn't dare say they were deluded...
DeleteI will simply say this- when the serpent in the garden of Eden spoke to Eve and offered her the knowledge of good and evil he was essentially asking her to switch her moral allegiance to his version of truth. Personally, I'm not a literal believer in bible stories, but I do think they tell us a lot about the human psyche on a metaphorical level. The reason these crazy/implausible myths have such staying power is that the underlying truth of the interaction resonates with human experience in a way our emotional memories confirm as felt truth.
So back to the garden of Eden- before the Serpent, God and humans communicated directly with no middleman who "interpreted" good and evil and offered it as knowledge that would free humans from the need to submit to the divine. The serpent played to Eve's narcissism and by offering her a sense of personal power, he tricks her into taking her moral agency/submission to divine will and handing it over to him. Eve thought she was being freed, but really she was simply exchanging masters.
The high functioning sociopath intuitively understands that the capacity to enslave is directly connected to seducing a person into handing their moral agency over to you. This can be done through romantic seduction or simply flattery that is designed to make the target dependent on the flattery. That's how people get "hooked" into a relationship with a sociopath that ultimately leads to their complete loss of personal agency to the sociopath.
The prosocial sociopath recognizes religion as providing a framework for talking about morality, and is the perfect mechanism to regulate an acquired target's self concept. The emotional dependence on the sociopath's approval is a drug like addiction and the sociopath is able to subtly shift the target's willingness to submit to a higher power (because neurotypicals who are vulnerable to guilt engage in this behavior so they can feel "good" and morally pure) to a willingness to submit to the sociopath, who becomes the proxy for the higher power. This is how psychological enslavement happens and religious individuals (especially those with narcissistic traits) make very easy targets.
50% chance? Is that an official statistic?
Delete@Machiavellianempath
DeleteThat's an interesting perspective.
The blame game started in the Garden of Eden. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. It's been a mess since then.
DeleteMelissaR
Machiavellianempath, very interesting, what faith denomination are you?
Deletecurrently I do not identify myself with a denomination, but I attend an Episcopalian church.
DeleteI appreciate your wide range of post topics and understand your trying to cater to a wide range of audience. Sometimes I think it would be nice if there were 2 separate blogs. One for the hard core sociopaths that aren't that interested in changing and post pretty scary shit, and a separate blog for those most intersted in personality disorders, education,research, religion, spirituality, movies on these topics, magazine/newspaper articles related to this topic, etc. It's unsettling when you DO have a personality disorder and comment on this blog related to the topic, and some people write some horribly nasty,shitty response to your comment.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if their was a solution to that, because that deters me (and probably others) from posting regularly . It kind on puts a bad taste on the rest of your day and has been keeping me away.
Personally I love the variety. I like the variety in the blog posts, and I like the variety of commenters, everything from uber empaths to the really dark people.
DeleteIt's a hoot when socios ask for sympathy. It's so oxymoronic; I treat people like shit, but don't treat me the same in return. Karma is a real bitchslap sometimes.
DeleteMelissaR
Lol, agreed Melissa, what one dishes out, karma does make sure it comes back on you. hopefully, though, it becomes a learning curve.
DeleteAnon, I really enjoy variety, it broadens my perspective. I try to show tolerance, I do falter a bit, but I quickly learn.
upper anon, I think the solution is tolerating and respecting the variety of comments on the blog. if its bothersome, then pull out for that day. we've all had to pull out of things. but you shouldn't let it get to you. its a blog full of opinions, and tapping into the human mind of others. its fascinating how peoples perspectives shift and think. we change daily. :-)
Anon 8:19,
DeleteWhat the fuck are you on?
There has not really been a "hard core" sociopath on here since UKan and Piles got too fed up/bored with the bullshit and left about a year ago.
If your delicate sensibilities are so offended by some anonymous stranger on the internet calling you on your bullshit, then I actually might feel a little sorry for you.
I agree. There clearly needs to be a second sociopath blog for discussing deviously delicious cakes to take to a church fundraiser, that are guaranteed to get you in good standing with the priest. How manipulative! As well as the way sociopaths cunningly pick wool for knitting their cats' sweaters...
This blog should also be kept super duper secret from those naughty boys and girls who don't abide by the adage that if you have nothing nice to say, you say nothing at all.
And in case you can't tell, yes I am being sarcastic, you pussy :)
Who is asking for sympathy, Melissa? It's funny you say that thing abt karma, what did you do wrong to make your sociopath victimize you
DeleteGood idea green eyes. Maybe you could start a blog of all badass one true sociopath types. It could be like psychopathicwritings.com
DeleteDid I hurt your little feelings?
DeleteThere is no such thing as one true sociopath and most are not badasses. I've had the pleasure of talking to plenty on here and they were all as different as can be. If any of them had a blog, I would love to read it.
The ones who start crying about "badass true sociopaths" are the narcissists that try so hard to convince everyone they are sociopaths. The best, most cunning fountains of sociopathic wisdom, at that... And fail. And get laughed at ;)
Anon 1:56, that's right, you're not asking for sympathy, you're asking for an entirely new blog to be started just to conform to what you think it should be. Hey, why not start one yourself instead of asking that the whole website change just for you in your winey ass, passive aggressive tone.
DeleteMelissaR
I'm not original anonymous, but I don't think he said he or implied he was a sociopath, nor demanded the whole blog or world change for him, as you're fond of accusing others. You presume a lot of other people. That sort of black and white thinking is indicative of being bipolar. And before you bother trying to deny it, bipolars always deny being bipolar. They blame everyone else being crazy and believe they're the only rational ones speaking truth. If you so t recognize that statement as being exactly you, I'm sure anyone who still bothers to read your comments will. But now I'm starting to see why your sociopath maybe have been interested in you. Beneath your pissant exterior, you're really just a hot mess, right? Maybe also a history of eating disorders?
DeleteOh goody!!
DeleteCould it be our resident profiler extraordinaire has made a comeback?
Sherlock, the original whinger said that he has the personality disorder and comments on topics relevant to it. He also had his little hissy fit about "true sociopath". Hmm, could that be seen as him identifying as one?
I see no evidence of Melissa showing black and white thinking. She seems very open to rationaldiscussion/ debate.
Black and white thinking is in no way limited to bipolar. It also happens with empaths, narcissists, sociopaths and beepers (who are pretty famous for it)
The rest is so much bullshit, projection and blind guessing that I won't even bother.
With the way you throw your little deductions around, you would not even make a semi decent psychic, never mind profiler.
Cheers, wanker :)
Oh goody!!
DeleteCould it be our resident profiler extraordinaire has made a comeback?
Sherlock, the original whinger said that he has the personality disorder and comments on topics relevant to it. He also had his little hissy fit about "true sociopath". Hmm, could that be seen as him identifying as one?
I see no evidence of Melissa showing black and white thinking. She seems very open to rationaldiscussion/ debate.
Black and white thinking is in no way limited to bipolar. It also happens with empaths, narcissists, sociopaths and beepers (who are pretty famous for it)
The rest is so much bullshit, projection and blind guessing that I won't even bother.
With the way you throw your little deductions around, you would not even make a semi decent psychic, never mind profiler.
Cheers, wanker :)
My apologies for double post. This phone does that sometimes, no idea why.
DeleteI like how you assume all of these anonymous are the same person. I'm. Are you Melissa's attack dog? What are you defending so strongly? Also you diagnose people all of the time based solely on a few comments. I'd love to see you and Melissa engage in a rational debate. Let me know when it happens. You have amazing insight into everything and everyone and are always right. Who does that remind me of? Oh, narcissists.
DeleteHaha! Nice try, Sherlock.
DeleteAll these anons? Nope, just one. The one that "profiled" Vegie using about as much projection, speculation and plain outright bullshit as you have used to profile Melissa. Similar writing style too.
Attack dog? Really?
I'm simply making fun of you for trying to diagnose someone with such arrogance when you clearly have no idea what you are talking about.
Melissa does not need me to protect her and I do not not need her, or anyone's, permission to make fun of you.
Your little profile there, on the other hand, sounds very personal indeed. Did she bruise your ego?
Rational debate? Love to.
And I don't diagnose based off a few comments. I like to get a fair bit of information and reactions to different approaches first. Even then, I only give my opinion that they are not sociopaths, or that they are narcissistic.
But in your case I'm willing to make an exception. Diagnosis: wanker with a fragile ego :)
Did someone hurt your feelings, bite me? Sounds like they got you all riled up defending yourself
DeleteNot in the least. Where did you get idea from?
DeleteI'm currently bored out of my skull and feel like a bit of a debate with him/her.
And OK, I like to indulge my narcissism and talk about myself :)
tl;dr bite me is butt hurt (and certain she's right so everyone else must be a narc idiot and all of the anons are the same person)
DeleteBite me = Sherlock, diagnosing all of the anons as being one in the same because they don't agree with her so just 1 and "Similar writing style too." Thanks Sherlock bite me, can you also tell me whether I'm a sociopath or not since you're so good at deductions
Delete12 years old is a bit young to determibe whether or not someone is a sociopath. Come back after you hit puberty and I'm certain she will indulge you!
Deleteheh, had to laugh at the "trashy Mormon comment", I was just pondering my "trashy Mormon" family yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a reality tv show in the making. Go for it! Awesome idea!
DeleteMelissaR
I have one feeling, Melissa, and you hurt it.
Delete:)
DeleteI use religion too, or bits and pieces of multiple religions guided by a more central philosophy called Huna, but to live my life I have mixed together pieces of Taoism, LaVeyan Satanism and Christianity... as well as certain ideals or people to model myself after like my friend Nat, Jesus, Lao Tzu or any peaceful and purposeful type taoist person, and other people in my life that you wouldn't really know.
ReplyDeleteoh and my friend Dustin (the sociopath!) lol DUH.
ReplyDeleteHe made some bad choices though so gotta be careful along that line lol.
ReplyDeleteThe author of this website is a complete fool and seems unsure of her own identity. I will never fucking listen to any of the advice on this website because it is utterly wrong and misguiding. It humors me to see the efforts of this braindead woman that you all hail as some sort of delusional queen
ReplyDeletevisiting this site sure won't make you feel very good, but it is educational to observe how some people's brains work. you can then navigate society with a 'little more knowledge', ...and tread very carefully.
DeleteYou folks are so elegant and graceful, it's really quite breathtaking. I'm so inspired by you everyday, keep up the good work!
DeleteDon't throw the baby out with the bathwater, right?
ReplyDeleteThe first part was interesting, it kind of read as a stream of consciousness. Made you seem like a human being. That cold, calculating, eminently logical sociopath is a mask as well, isn't it? My own thoughts come out all haphazard, and while I'm capable of gathering and logically organizing them, sometimes it's a pain in the ass. Z because A, and if you're too dumb to figure out B through Y, I'm too lazy to explain it.
I do find ME's posts on religion very interesting. I guess because it seems like she doesn't believe it herself, but does the dance anyway.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a Christian home, and despite learning the rituals and dogma, I've never been able to really believe in God. I consider myself an atheist, but a small part of me wishes there was a God. It would make life much easier.
MachiavellianEmpath mentions church attendance as an integral part of a sociopath's mask. I've considered going to church for that and other cynical reasons, like drumming up business. But the other part of me would find that incredibly distasteful (not to mention boring.) Plus, to people who know me, it would seem like a strange about-face.
not for all sociopaths. Just white collar sociopaths who keep their scheming under the radar.
DeleteYou could always go to a church where no one knows you, like in a different town. What kind of business are you looking to drum up?
DeleteMelissaR
rent "The Apostle" with Robert Duvall. the character is arguably a narcissist more than a sociopath- or perhaps just a sociopath really good at getting in character. You'll see EXACTLY how its done.
DeleteThe Apostle beat someone over the head with a bat during a children's baseball game. He then ran away and baptized himself. He clearly crossed the line to psychopath.
DeleteMelissaR
It was his reinvention that I was referring to... how sociopaths use religion to create a new and improved persona that inspires easy trust. It's pretty creepy. I grew up with a front row seat to this and I saw it all the time. There's a reason I'm really wary about people who proclaim their own righteousness.
DeleteNow that I think back about the movie I wonder if he really was actual delusional. I'm remembering the scenes where he would "practice his sermons" for hours talking to himself when he lived with his mother. There was also something very dysfunctional about his relationship with her as well.
DeleteMelissaR
Have you seen Boardwalk Empire?
DeleteI think you'd like Agent Van Alden.
And the show is brilliant overall.
lol for drumming up business..
DeleteIt really does seem like she's religious, but I'm trying to figure out how she justifies a lot of this stuff after having been raised mormon myself, and knowing the culture. It's a fundamentalist religion. It's not like the catholic religion where you can sin all week, and on sunday go and repent, and be forgiven all to do it again the next week. It's a way of life.
DeleteI'll try to check out that movie.
DeleteI am a white collar professional. Lot's of churchgoing colleagues of mine get tons of business though their church. As if being part of that group confers automatic trust. I'm envious. But the thought of actually going and pretending and smiling and singing and shaking hands makes me want to jump in front of a bus.
Plus, I can't imagine how my wife would take it if suddenly I suggested "Hey, lets go to church!" She, more than anyone, knows how I actually feel on this issue. Of course, I guess could be honest with her and tell her that I'm going for social and professional reasons that have nothing to do with religion.
haha that's funny. What kind of work do you do?
DeleteYou could try Narcotics Anonymous instead. Automatic trust there too.
Deleteme and the religion thing feels like irony
ReplyDeletelike she's testing us
Deleteplaying a game
selling the mask
And here I figured most religious people were sociopaths, since they justified religion with "If you were an atheist, there would be nothing keeping you from raping and murdering", which I usually respond with "No, without religion *you* wouldn't have anything keeping you from raping and murdering. I have morals based on the only true source: empathy"
ReplyDeleteI, for one, am incredibly glad that so many sociopaths are religious.
Religion is a tool made to be used so either use it or don't. Its not rocket science.
ReplyDeleteThe priesthood has a number of sociopaths. They just use religion to scare people ,keep them in line and get power for themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Don't sociopaths indiscriminately lie?
Doesn't anyone but me, think that ME could be lying? LOL
Bipolar Empath aka ex-Catholic
We now know that there is no one out there, just our memories of the other person.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to believe in religion to believe all that. It seems curious to me how popular religion is with people with mental disorders, but I believe tolerance is a really important thing. Basing moral on religion, however, that's definitely something I would never do or agree with, at all. I think a lot of people I know would say a diagnosed sociopath who calls himself christian is a lot better person than an atheist. Which, no offense, seems disturbing to me, although I'm neither.
ReplyDeleteJust found your site. Odd response by a sociopath regarding religion.
ReplyDeleteI believe christians/Christianity wouldn't think you are "bad" person so long as you have remorse for your sins. Sociopaths have little to no conscience so your little ramble about religion sounds like BS. Maybe entertaining yourself.