When is a belief system a Mental Disorder?

Despite the abundant evidence to the contrary, I haven't forgotten our "Great Debate" topic. I'll try to get up the gung-ho to get a response posted there, hopefully today or tonight. They just don't come easy to me.That "GD" topic would be a better place to pursue the time scale issue.MooseAdded by edit: PLEASE, no responses to this message from anyone.This message has been edited by minnemooseus, 02-15-2006 01:20 PM

Disclaimer: I haven't been following this topic closely, but much of the messages seem pretty far from the central topic theme.I see no problem with people having what may be oddball beliefs. The problem is when and to what degree beliefs outside of worldly reality drive ones actions in that worldly reality.Example: A political leader may have the personal belief that the world is ending in 10 years, but that better not be a factor that drives policy making decisions (but then, perhaps this comment should have been in the "Should a young earther be allowed to hold a political office" topic).Likewise, you may have faith that God will bail you out, but it's still not a good idea to go out and try to do something stupid.Moose