Zobel said:
Disease and poison are good metaphors for things that take a healthy thing and decay over time. Some values are bad for society. There's nothing wrong with talking about societal decay - but this is an inherently value driven discussion.
But I didn't say anything about anyone's values. Body dysmorphia is a mental illness. It is something that is not present in normal, healthy people. People who suffer from that may have good values, they may be Christians! They might also have terrible values. That's a different discussion.
Body dysmorphia is not a "value". It's not a moral code or philosophy, any more than bulimia or schizophrenia or depression are. It is absurd to structure the discussion in this way. It is also absurd to say that acknowledging this is tantamount to hatred.
When disagreements about these values are expressed in a way that looks, feels, smells, and tastes like a personal attack by everyone person who holds the opposite value, it is going to elicit an emotional response . . . . not a value driven discussion. Again, I refuse to believe you are not intelligent enough to get this.
I am simply suggesting that you (not you specifically) consider the way you talk about other people. Even though I disagree with your views, I am totally fine with everything you've said above. We don't have to agree. But, when someone refers to another person's values as a dumpster fire, what do you expect?
Maybe Christians are sincere in wanting to reach people with body dysmorphia and help them. Thats great! I am telling you, that most of these people hate you because of the way you talk about them. If you want to continue with the 'mental illness' angle, then fine. Bulimia is a mental illness as you suggested. While most people do not encourage this illness and recognize it is damaging, no one refers to it as societal dumptster fire brining about the downfall of civilization. Most people react with compassion and understanding and offer help. Same goes for depression.
Here is my recommendation - talk to and about people with body dysmorphia with the same level of compassion and understanding as a veteran suffering from depression or person born with a bipolar disorder.
Again - none of this is specifically directed at you. Its directed to the Christians here more generally.