I've worked and taught in Catholic activities all my life. It seems to me, we get more than our share of crazy people. I think there's something about religion that's attractive to people with mental problems. Maybe it's that religious people are expected to be open and welcoming to all. Maybe there's something about the spiritual side of things that makes sense to insane people. Maybe they just feel safe among nice people, just as they would in any community of loving people.

I wouldn't say that religion causes insanity, but I would say that interesting things (and sometimes dangerous things) happen when people with mental problems are involved in religious activities.

I've found I have to be very careful when I'm picking people to do various jobs in the church. The crazies can do a lot of damage.

Of course, I found the same thing was true when I selected volunteers to work with Boy Scouts.

-Joe Offer-