Good golly! Are people here always this off-the-cuff about calling people's religions "imaginary." WTF difference does it make if I believe in demons, angels, divine hamsters, whatever. Any impetus for human beings to live better lives is a good one.

Well, I know at 10 years old I wanted to be a goddess - to live forever and to be worshipped and lead a fairy tale life. Still do.

I would be twelve kinds of pissed if I had been told I had that, only to have it taken away.

That would make a cool set idea.

I can't speak for other people "here", but yes, I am. Sorry if that offends, but not sorry enough to keep my yap shut. Just know that it isn't my intent to offend.

I also don't mean to get too argumentative here (though, admittedly, it's a topic I love to discuss and am somewhat passionate about) but I disagree with your "any impetus" statement. I believe reality is more important than delusion. I believe it's important to the advancement of the species as a whole.

Note, I realize the "delusion" comment might be offensive. Once again, sorry.

religions are silly, and they do silly things for stupid reasons

Yeah, you really have to keep in mind that this young girl comes from a completely different culture. Like Ferretbite said, to them it makes complete sense and isn't something to be questioned. She's living in a different society, so trying to evaluate whether or not she's been 'psychologically abused' in the terms of another society's standards isn't practical. It's probably a good idea to try and look at it from an emic perspective.

it is interesting, and I find it sad that something so simple was concidered enough of a defilement to make her loose this divinity she was to have been blessed with. I find it hard to understand why a goddess would be thought to leave her "host" just for her going someplace to get people interested in something that would teach more about this happening and the faith that created her... but at the same time can see why.'
mostly though, from what i've read in this and other articles, this girl seemed like a vibrant, happy, sweet, smart young girl, who had a fierceness to her passion in life, and I think she'll probably do well. She apparantly wants to be a teacher.

I wish her all the best.

While I realize you probably weren't directing this at me (as it was someone else that called it "abuse"), I do have to say that I don't think it IS necessary to look at it from an emic perspective. To do so implies that just because the (specific, relevant) society deems something to be acceptable or good means that everyone should accept it as such. I do not believe that this is the case.

The emic perspective makes Pre-Emancipation Proclamation slavery acceptable because it was part of American society and culture. It means that pre-suffrage, it was OK that women didn't get to vote. It means that in Taliban controlled Afghanistan, it was OK that women were forced to wear burkas and not allowed outside without a male family member accompanying them.

Just because one is not part of a specific culture does not mean one cannot judge it against the best possible ideals.

Challenging the status quo is what moves us forward as individuals, as a society and as a species.

Surely there must long-lasting psychological consequences from believing you were once a God? I'm not certain, but it seems to have a real potential to mess with her life and mental health. Hopefully she'll move on from this with a minimium of issues, but it's still an irresponsible way to raise a child.

That there is a ten-armed woman that likes to inhabit the bodies of little girls.

pwnt

Possibly the oldest tradition known to man.

You should know. Bad-doom shh.

Technically, the oldest tradition known to man is hunting and killing - because we can trace that trait right through our evolutionary lineage, from apes to fish.

What do you mean I believe I was once a God? I still am. Well, I'm my own God. And I can be yours too if you ask nicely.

Yeah. I'm talking specifically about Hinduism.

Wow, I didn't even have to argue that point? Fair enough.

I don't have much use for a God and I already have a girlfriend. But thanks.

A nice article about how silly a religion you all know very little about is.
Then a total circle jerk over how superior atheists are? Come, now.

I know you're a God an everything, but could it really hurt just to have teensy bit of respect for Hinduism and Bhuddism?

We're all being pretty narrow-minded and reactionary for a bunch of bed-wetting liberals, aren't we?