Not a good analogy. The Branch Davidians were invaded, and things happened fast. The 11 apostles spent years evangalizing knowing full well the potential consequences. Of course this doesn’t prove Christian theology, the proof of that is multifaceted, and much bigger than simple historical fact.
Yes people believe things that are not true, even at the risk of eternal damnation. As far as Paul is concerned, true it may have been illness, but many people have had similar religious awakenings. You can call them all illness if you want.....whatever.
Mental illness is culturally defined. One culture's schizophrenic is another's shaman.
What we would call mental illness is present in both the OT and the NT. Does that mean that it wasn't something used by God?
I never said it couldn't be...but I merely pointed out the possibility that it wasn't.