This is a serious question...
2006-08-31 03:24:42 · 24 answers · asked by a_delphic_oracle 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Based on the very spotty track record of modern phsychiatry, this is as good a diagnosis as most.
2006-08-31 03:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and I am also Bipolar, a mental illness. I do not consider myself or anyone with a mental illness to necessarily have an unclean spirit. Most mental disorders are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. once that is addressed, usually, the person functions fine. If there was someone with all the symptoms of a mental illness and no reasoning to it, then yes, it could be evil at work, better know as Satan and his demons.
2006-08-31 10:30:12 · answer #2 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and No. There may be some "fringe" groups of "Christianity" which thinks the mentally ill are possessed by an unclean spirit. They are usually poorly educated in the Word and have bearly a working knowledge of scriptures.
The majority of "christian" groups do not think this. There is no reason to think it. We know what causes many mental problems. WE also have seen the cure.
Scripturally, the days of demon possession have passed. Satan lost the WAR when Jesus died and was resurrected. There is no such thing as demon possession in this era of time. Satan was at his height of power and control when Jesus was on Earth. His defeat (satan's) crushed his head, as prophesied in Genesis 3:15. The Lord dealt him a "death" blow. So now he is becoming weaker and weaker. At the same time, there is no such thing as being possessed by a "clean" or Godly spirit. Possession has to do with total control against a person's will. This goes against the teaching of "free moral agency" which God has given to all people today.
Hope this helps. Good Question!
2006-08-31 10:36:37 · answer #3 · answered by DA R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only spirit Christians believe in is the Holy Spirit. People with mental illnesses may become Christians just like anyone else.
2006-08-31 10:33:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean someone born with Down Syndrome or Mental Retardation? Or do you mean someone who's in a mental institution?
No, the former are not afflicted with any unclean spirit. The latter may be, they fit most of the signs that come with demonic possession.
2006-08-31 10:29:33 · answer #5 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes - note the SOME - posession is demonstrated in mental illness (schizophrenia comes to mind).
Clinical depression, in Christians, is often the result of their falling our of fellowship with God, due to some grevious sin or lack of repentance.
Even such "disorders" as ADD/ ADHD/ ODD/ OAD can be nearly eliminated by simply exposing the child to God's healing & guidance.
Down's Syndrome, Klienfelter's Syndrome, etc. are still considered genetic abnormalities resulting in mental illness.
Just because we are Christians, doesn't mean we thumb our noses at science & put everything off on God.
2006-08-31 10:36:31 · answer #6 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, some Christians do, some say people only look at mental illness in the scientific way, you know like old age and etc... but they never look at the spiritual way; like their is an unclean spirit tormenting the person
2006-08-31 10:35:42 · answer #7 · answered by cindy k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe some hard core fundamentalists do, but for the most part, I don't think so, not anymore. I think medical science has proven what causes mental illness. NOW....some mental problems could be caused as a result of bad life styles, THAT might make it a little more plausible.
2006-08-31 10:33:01 · answer #8 · answered by blondee 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not always, but a condition like tourettes is in my opinion a spiritual mallody. I have seen people who have indeed been under an oppressive illness, like myself for instance, who has suffered debilitaiting anxiety attacks for ten years, but God took that oppression, which was indeed a spiritual thing away from me and turned my life around. This time last year, i could not even leave my house, but now, a year later, I can work, i can do all the things that triggered my anxiety attacks and more. For instance there is no way i would have even thought about going away on holiday from a busy airport, in fact i would have a panic attack just thinking about it, but recently i went away to barbados, and was in complete peace with the whole thing, as i said, this oppresion was lifted thanks to the power of God who loves me and gave Himself for me that day on the cross. All this was done without medication, I havent had any meds for over a year now, i stopped taking them as they didnt work. But one day i braved it to seek God, and He honoured me and released me of my demons/illness, Miracles do indeed happen, you just dont hear about them or dont want too.
2006-08-31 10:40:35 · answer #9 · answered by SELA O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many Christians use psych drugs freely, so I'd have to say that those who use the drugs believe it is a mental illness, rather than a spirit....
2006-08-31 10:29:45 · answer #10 · answered by Denise W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thankfully, not anymore. Some still may, but many people view them as "mentally retarded" or "mentally slow." I'm not sure which one is worse. However, Christians - most Christians - don't call names anymore or point and stare.
Unfortenetly some do... So I don't know. I guess it's a toss-up.
2006-08-31 10:27:08 · answer #11 · answered by I think... 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋