The correlation between delusional mental illness and religion has intrigued me for forty years. I've worked with the mentally ill since 1968. I played music in a Clubhouse for the mentally ill yesterday. One of the regulars there is a man in his thirties who is actively delusional, with ongoing visual and auditory delusions. He walks around all day with an open bible, flipping through the pages. He won't read, but just flips the entire book, usually in about five seconds. He is looking for answers in sacred writings. he's been doing this for years. One of the behaviors that indicates he is de-compensationg and needs a meds adjustment is when he starts the bible scan again. When his meds are right, he doesn't do it.
    I am very suspect of anyone who believes that God has spoken to them. They are usually delusional or trying to con someone out of something (usually money).
    The mentally ill are no more violent than the rest of the population. The bigger issue in mental illness and violence is the problem of street drugs and alcohol abuse.