What are Religious Delusions? A Challenge at the Intersection of Belief and Mental Illness
Brittany Acors
September 23, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003539728-16 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the DSM-V's lack of a definition for "religious delusion" creates openings for bias and stigma, and that any bounded definition is likely to pathologize non-normative religious beliefs, making the category potentially unhelpful—particularly given the DSM's cultural power. Proposes that greater attention to the intersectionality of religion and disability among mental health professionals would improve understanding of patients' lived religious experiences and allow more diagnostic flexibility. |
Abstract
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), a manual widely used in psychiatric clinical professions, leaves the diagnostic criterion of “religious delusion” undefined. This chapter argues that not only does this lack of definition create an opening for bias and stigma but also that any bounded definition of religious delusion is likely to pathologize non-normative religious beliefs. Religious delusion, therefore, may not be a helpful epistemic category, particularly in a handbook like the DSM that holds broad cultural power. A more nuanced appreciation of the intersectionality between religion and disability among mental health professionals can facilitate a deeper understanding of the lived religious experiences of people with mental illnesses. Furthermore, it allows for greater diagnostic flexibility as religious beliefs become increasingly individualistic and pluralistic. The conclusion highlights the broader implications of this topic for disability justice, religious freedom, the ethical and equitable provision of healthcare, representation in clinical research, and the law.