That’s why I said look on the effect on his life, is his life better or not in real terms
This is true in my experience, as I have shared before on this board, at the urging of friends I have went to see councilors, I think 5 in all. Every one came to the same conclusion, what I am doing is far better then anything they can do for me and they feel they would only get in the way and many if not all suggested I continue. This was during a very dark time in my life, and spirituality was the only path I saw to take. But OTOH it was sort of devastating as I wanted help but no one I could find could help me and it was discouraging just to get the same answer all the time. Actually the greatest learning in my life was through very close relationships, which was a lot better then councilor, someone who does care about me and me them.
So I don’t think it will harm him, but may give you a easier time if he goes and gets a simular statement to continue.
I suspect it is you who are not ready for this. In advancing down one’s path you find people who are open to hearing other’s experience, building and exploring from each other. In many faiths/belief systems we are all one family, so you are not a male friend but actually a brother so a closer relationship then you are comfortable with. To quote Socrates ‘philosophy is a team sport and the ultimate pleasure’. In our world we are taught to keep ‘wild’ beliefs to ourselves, but some overcome that programing, and in doing so are able to expand their world. IMHO What he needs to learn is discernment, to know who he can safely talk to and who he should not about such things, as his opening up to you is uncomfortable for you, but perhaps needed for him.
How did we get from your friend asking if you were a alien to talking about your penises?
While in some spiritually penises have some connotations it does seem out of place even to me and curious how this fits in to what he is going through.
If you suddenly decide you’re a prophet, that John Lennon was a prophet, that you’re the reincarnation of a famous person and that it’s your job to save the world then yeah, you probably should be cautious about sharing that.
The point is that his dad isn’t his roommate. You are, so it’s you that more likely would end up experiencing reincarnation at the hands of a self-medicating and unbalanced individual who believes himself the prophet of a deity who said he would help you along the road to enlightenment through death.
Yes I get that, that’s why I said in the OP that I considered that he might do that to me, but never mentioned that he might do it to his dad.
For the record he never mentioned anything about hurting anyone, it’s just something I considered the first time he sprang this on me and talked cryptically about “proof”.
So Kanicbird is ummm mentally divergent? So what? Frankly, I’d say he has unique insight into this situation. Additionally, despite his ummm unconventional beliefs has Kanicbird ever seemed like a threat to himself or others? If Kanicbird has been espousing his umm unique views for years and not needed psychiatric intervention, why should Bozuit’s friend need it now?
To all this, and to the OP I would like to state how I see it. In order for you to maintain your belief system (stated by the OP as ‘evidence bases’), or how you like to understand reality, you need to consider anyone with a contrary view as ‘mentally defective’. This pattern reduces free thinking, as no one wants to be considered mentally defective, nor labeled or ostracized as I feel Guinastasia has attempted to do with me - and yes it does hurt me when it is done as in this case and also IMHO humanity by such comments attempting to diminish such people from participation.
The OP has stated that this person has opened up TMI which has made him uncomfortable. But I also feel that there is another level of uncomfort that the OP may be feeling (and some posters here with me and others who have gone against ‘evidence based’ belief systems), that they need to have the person who is seeking declared ‘mentally defective’ to preserve their own belief system even though that person may be acting normally and beneficially, just outside your parameters of what normal should be.
You seem to think that the religious aspect of the OP’s conversation with his roommate is what he finds to be TMI. He has stated that this is not the case (even if he disagrees with them), but rather, it is talking about his penis and other similar subjects that is TMI. Most people would agree. They are rude and inappropriate subjects. NOTE: Not religion.
Furthermore, this is not what makes him think his friend is mentally unhealthy (not defective, as you put it). What concerns him is that his friend was suicidal and then suddenly has an extreme change in beliefs that any reasonable person would find to be delusional. Again, not because they are religious, but because they are irrational and typical of individuals having a psychotic break. Add in the extreme usage of psychotropic drugs…and well, I think you see where I am going.
Hopefully you are on the same page as everyone else now.
I should also point out that another reason this whole thing worries me is my friend’s poor judgement in expecting me to accept what he’s saying. He knows me well and therefore should really, really not be expecting me to believe what he’s saying without some seriously good evidence. He seemed to expect me to “see the light” after a very brief and weak explanation.
And good luck with your friend.