The DSM-V working group has developed diagnostic criteria for a newly discovered, before undefined mental disorder that they are calling, Religious Fundamentalism Disorder. The working group is currently reviewing the research on the literature and have developed the tentative diagnostic criteria that follows. The working group also welcomes your comments, but reserves the right to ignore common sense.
Strict following of the fundamental doctrine of any organized religion that pervades beyond religious ceremony or practices and permeates one’s life completely (This includes, but is not limited to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Paganism, Confuscianism and Malipropism. Strong belief in Buddhism rules out this disorder).
Such religious beliefs must be firmly held and in the light of challenge, the person becomes defensive, in an attempt to guard against a narcissistic injury. Other displays of ego-centrism and narcissism are necessary, but not sufficient indicators of this criterion.
At least three of the following convictions must be espoused:
There is only one true religion and all others are false (i.e., followers of this religion will be rewarded and followers of all others will either cease to exist, go to hell, or be held away from the Supreme Being (not to be confused with Donna Summer)).
God/Allah/****/Vishnu/The Goddesses gives the true followers a special mission in life and allows followers to ignore the rule of law (e.g., declaring war on the civilized world, bombing temples, burning crosses, mandating government incorporate its religious tenets into law, jaywalking, or seducing ‘nonbelievers’).
Anyone who does not believe in The True religion, should be converted, harassed, demeaned, embarrassed or embalmed.
The disbelievers/infidels/apostates/heretics/lunatics/Libertarians should be at least shunned and with the Almighty’s inspiration tortured or made to watch C-Span.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by a personality disorder (e.g., Narcissistic PD or Schizotypal PD) or a True religious epiphany.
Specify if: With Familial Coercion: if the person was born into a family promoting such beliefs exclusively and any straying from beliefs was met with excommunication, blood-letting, or trephoning.
Without Familial Coercion: if the person was not pressured by family members, but for some reason, and only God knows why, decided to join a Fundamentalist religous organization, while not under the influence of intoxicants/hallucinogens, boredom, hopelessness, speaking in tongues, or seduced with the promise of 12 virgin (wives? husbands?) in the hereafter.
