The character of Abraham in the Bible is clearly a dangerous psychopath and why three major religions would proudly claim him as their common patriarch is a real mystery. Surely they would want to disown a man who was so insane that he was willing to kill his own child because he heard voices in his head telling him to do so and who also advocated the mutilation of male genitalia?
That Mitchell and Webb Look give their take on the Abraham story.
Thanks to reader Norm, here’s an alternative telling of that same story.
I like how in the first one even God is caught off guard at how eager Abraham is to carry out his word. If a God told modern day Abraham to stick his tongue in a light socket, he’d do it gladly and like it.
My favourite version of the story is the SMBC theatre one:
The funniest part of it is the ignorance the father plays. We see this everywhere when talking to Christians who put their head in the sand.
I’m wondering if God had the intention of making humans the most populated species on the planet. Think about it, how many animals have come and gone? How many humans can be supported by our planet WITHOUT THE HELP OF CORPORATIONS!
The only thing is that your standard psychopath doesn’t hear God’s voice in his head. Psychopaths are not delusional, generally speaking. They just don’t care about other people’s suffering.
A delusional person, say one with schizophrenia, may hear God’s voice in his head telling him to kill someone, and he may act on the delusion for a bunch or distorted reasons.
I just think it’s important to not confuse those who have hallucinations (Abraham) with psycopaths (who don’t generally have hallucinations, but who have little or no empathy).
Psychopathology is not considered a mental illness (delusional), but more of a personality disorder. Psychopaths can be as rational as you please. Schizophrenics, less so.
I guess that’s why I like the video with Jack Black where they describe Abe (accurately,I think) as a schizophrenic.
“Just stand right there, I’ll be right back to cut your penises.” Ah hah hah hah hah…
Oh, Abraham--so eager to please.
I’m reminded of an old joke. Abraham is talking to Yahweh and says: “So the Arabs get all of the oil and we have to cut off the tips of our what?”