Obsessive interest and bad perception of reality

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Do you think that obsessive interest could lead to danger of irreality? I mean, for example, a girl with a special interest for feminist ideology could have a bad argumentation and a bias in discussions about feminism.

I tend to have a special interest with my religion (I'm trying to control that) and I think that this could lead to some 'fanatism' and irreality instead of an autentic life of faith. I also tend to exceed in the time that I use for reading the Bible and other catholic texts, and this is usually more a satisfaction of the intelect than love to God. Any of you have a similar problem?

I thought I was the only one with this issue. I too was obsessed with my religion to the point that I thought I would be a nun. I went to a convent, but it did not work out and I left, disillusioned. I could not cope with communal life. Obviously, I have AS and many other issues.

I totally agree with you that obsessive interest of this kind could lead to fanaticism. I have experienced and witnessed such thing. I have come in contact with many fanatics because of my knowledge and extensive reading. I gave "lecture" on the topics of their interest. However, I am not a fanatic. I have my own opinion, but I don't impose it on others. I do defend my faith when I have to, but in general, I don't criticise anyone's actions or opinion. Everyone has free will.

I know a lot, but it does not mean I understand. A Christian life, I think, is more than just knowing spiritual texts and following "rules". I am too intellectual to comprehend many abstract things in the spiritual sphere and struggle to keep my faith. It seems to me I now "dutifully" participate in religious activities.

I believe that obsessive interest is not always dangerous. It depends on what the interest and how you deal with it. In my case, yes, it was dangerous. It almost ruined my life and my faith altogether. When I read a lot, I idealised, then I realised the reality was very different.

I suppose my interest in tennis became destructive in the years before I began to take lessons myself. I sat down just watching tennis, instead of being an active participant. Now I do both. Taking lessons enhances my enjoyment of seeing my favorite players on court.

When I was in my teens and early twenties, I was very religious and conservative. I was a non-denominational "born again" Christian. I had several bibles with different versions i.e. The Living Bible, NIV, KJV, NJKV, etc. I also had various bible dictionaries/encyclopedias, fairly sophisticated Bible software installed on my computer, etc. One time I went on a missions trip to Florida after hurricane Andrew to help rebuild a church and on the 12 hour drive back I spent the whole time reading my Bible. On the same missions trip I prayed in my tent one evening about what I should do and asked God to influence a dollar bill to answer give me an answer. At the time I was sure I was talking to God and he was communicating to me through a dollar bill. Today I'm embarrassed to share that story, but I think that's a pretty good example of "irreality".

I'm not going to try to influence your beliefs, I'm just answering your question that yeah, religion can be carried to far and even be a cause for odd behavior/beliefs. That doesn't mean that you are taking your religion too far, or viewing things that aren't real, etc. If your religion gives you comfort and takes away stress and helps you to be close with God, it could be a healthy aspect of your life. Only you can determine that.

From when I was more of a preteen until maybe I turned 18-19, I kind of became obsessed over what I considered to be immorality, particularly obsessed with "indecent content" in media. At some points I said things that were very crazy, to the effect of stuff like "We should burn down the MTV headquarters" and all that. It made my interactions online in discussion forums even more awkward, I even trolled a particular forum once just trying to be an "a******" to them, but I was actually very convinced about my limited viewpoint at the time. I started to balance it out or become more centrist as the years gone by, mainly in my original fanaticism against entertainment where I didn't really account for why TV, movies, and other media is "raunchy" as it is, or why it's not a good idea to force others what to watch or listen to.

My story?