How is it "right" to label those with mental illness as being possessed by demons?

Question

... yet wrong to use the term ignorant to describe who believes that demonic possession is the "only" explanation they can think of for what is likely mental illness?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqQQtxyfYWbWrbqjt.Wds2fsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080801224517AAkGyc5

My answer to this question got deleted by Yahoo after, presumably, the asker reported me for calling him ignorant.

The gist of my answer was this:

-If that was the "only" explanation the asker could come up with, they were ignorant of psychology and psychiatry.

-Dismissing mental illness as demonic possession is an insult to the millions who suffer from it around the world.

-The asker has no knowledge of the case at all and is in no way in a position to make any diagnosis.

-No reputable psychiatrist or psychologist would even suggest "demons" were behind it.

Ignorance is defined as the condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed. Clearly this applies and the asker's use of the word "only" is evidence enough.

Yahoo! has refused to explain how my answer was contrary to the community guidelines and also has refused to address my complaint that the question was in violation of the guidelines for being insulting to the millions with mental illness (hate speech) and proselytizing while barely asking a question AND calling me a jerk, an unsubstantiated claim.

I'm not one for censorship as I believe ignorant and foolish opinions are best expressed publicly so they can be exposed for their ignorance and foolishness. But if Yahoo! is going to delete the counterpoint, doesn't that amount to condoning the ignorance and bigotry?

This site is for Q&A, not a soapbox for promoting theology.

If you agree, please report the above question for hate speech and insulting the millions suffering from mental illness around the world.

Answer 1

Anyone could have reported you. It was probably not the asker. It could have been any person who read the answer.  

Answer 2

I have had schizophrenia for 19 years now and I am high functioning to the point that no one knows that I have it unless I tell them.  I don't take medicine for it and I am a fine upstanding citizen.  I am so high functioning because I view schizophrenia as a spiritual condition that does involve oppression by evil spirits.  I can cast them out myself in a matter of seconds and my symptoms stop, also I can end delusions.  Also I no longer become paranoid and I am no longer a paranoid schizophrenic as at first.  All of this because I don't accept convention "wisdom" that schizophrenia is a biological brain disorder or mutation.  It is a spiritual condition in a biological person.  That's why medicines can mask symptoms, but they don't cure.  My methods work better than drugs, yet here it is that in the USA science once again dismisses the thought that the spirit world exists.  

Answer 3

I agree. That's ignorant.  

We're not living in the 1700s anymore.

BTW - I have the symbol for "Tao" tatooed on my arm.  

Answer 4

It is amazing that in many cases "demon possession" can be cured with drugs, no prayer or laying on of hands necessary.

It is also amazing (as well as dangerous and sad) that in today's society, with all the medical and scientific knowledge we possess, that some people can still believe that mental illness, bizzare behavior, and even some physical conditions are the result of "demon possession" or the activities of Satan and his demons.

On the other subject of your question:  You are absolutely right in your use and interpretation of the word "ignorant." Less educated and sophisticated people think it means "stupid," but it does not. It means being unaware of the facts. Most of us are "ignorant" about nuclear physics and brain surgery, for example. Unfortunately, it appears that the person whose question you answered is one of those people who don't know the real meaning of the word.

I will not report the person's question, though, because they too have a right to state their opinion even if it is wrong, or "ignorant" (as it is). Because they used a loophole in Y!A policies to censor you, that does not justify censoring them. Be careful, or you will end up in a censorship war and have many or all of your Q&A's deleted by a dishonest & vengeful user.