religious and still not?

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I'm agnostic or maybe ignostic, I'm not sure about it.
But from time to time I'm totally into religion. I read about christianity, judaism and islam, and also other religions. I even studied religion for a while at university.

I'm not sure why this is and why I behave that way.
Because I'm kind of agnostic and I'm still into relgion from time to time. But at the same time I'm still aware of the fact that I'm agnostic.

I'm thinking since a while that I might have schizotypal tendencies.

You may, of course, have schizotypal tendencies, but judged by what you wrote above, you don't have. I read between the lines that you could be called a spiritual person, whatever the term spiritual may mean in different parts of the world. Being agnostic at the same time, that is, being a doubter, is normal. The father of all Christian doubters was apostle Thomas. It may even be desirable to be a doubter, to a certain extent.

I, too, read about Christianity and Judaism. Actually, I don't really separate the two. They are two sides of the same coin. I have also tried to read about Islam, but something doesn't fit. It's not meant for me.

You said that at the same time, you are aware that you are an agnostic. Of course you are aware of it because it's a part of you. What you call "being religious from time to time" are periods of more intense faith. Similarly, being less religious or nonreligious from time to time would simply be dry periods, or, so to say, "the dark night of the soul."

You may not like my overtly Christian point of view, because you might simply be interested in religions as such, and nothing more. But then the question is, where does this interest come from? What is it that draws you into that direction?

I think you know the answer.

It sounds like religion is your special interest, but part of you feels bad for being interested in it without believing in it. Don't. Religion is a very interesting part of humanity and the study of it is a deep well of knowledge. You can appreciate it without being a convert as long as you're respectful of those who are.

I also have mixed feelings on this. I think Atheism and Secularism is appealing, but I sometimes find that I still entertain a vague Pantheism as an alternative. I really don't buy into Monotheism or a Personal God anymore, but God as a pervasive "something" that underlies reality. Almost like The Tao in a way.

I don't like religion, if it was up to me, believing in pointless fairy tails that result in the suffering of countless people throughout history, does not benefit mankind, it only holds us back in so many ways.
But still, learning about something is never a bad thing. Educate yourself in whatever you want, especially if you enjoy it. Remember, you can never be too educated.

I'm not sure about it, but my half-brother had schizophrenia so my thought I could be a bit schizotypal is a possibility.



I don't know.
I'm into religion since I'm 12 years old. I wanted to find out back than wich is the right religion. Than I found out that the answer can just be a personal. Since that time I'm into religion from time to time. You could say that I'm a "spiritual" person, I don't identify with that term that much.

I'm not sure what about this makes you think you have schizotypal tendencies. Is it the intense interest in religion? I don't see that as schizotypal.

I can definitely relate to what you have described. You've had an interest in religion since the age of 12. I've had an interest in spiritual and occult stuff since I was very young and I have had periods in which my interest was extremely intense. The last very intense period was actually painful. I'm in a shallow period right now but I still read stuff every now and then. After the last one ended I'm not sure if I'll ever be as passionate as I was before. I'm still young.

I am also Agnostic and literally consider myself on the fence. I think to really come to a conclusion you have to look at both sides and see what just rings true to you really. I find it all quite frustrating as every time I am convinced that everything we experience is a direct result of the great complexity of the human mind there will be something else on a contradictory notion which will make me feel the other way round. [b]

Uh oh. We're taking over the thread.

Well it CAN be part of schizotypal, but doesn't have to be.

- I also had times I was somehow paranoid (usually I still knew my anxiety was too much), but this was in a context of a trauma.
- I already had psychotic like symptoms, but they could be also dissosiation.
- I'm sometimes scared of other people, but this could be also social anxiety and it's not that strong or it could be "avoidant" behavior.
- I'm slightly excentric, but many people are.
- I'm fascinated with religion and magic, but I'm still agnostic or ignostic and many people are religious.
Right now I'm trying Ramadan, just because.... just because out of the same reason I tryed many religious rituals over the years. I'm even not sure about the exact reason myself.
- I don't have many friends, because I'm a loner but I'm autistic, so it's "normal" for me I guess.

So, that's why I'm not sure it COULD be part of schizotypal...!