Your comments on the encouraging of mental health patients to take up religion?

Answer 1

It depends on the severity and type of mental disease the person is inflicted with. It also becomes an ethical question of, what religion would you try and teach them? You cannot assume that a person would choose one religion over the other, so you would have to educate on all types of religion, and even the lack of belief IN religion. It could be a very tricky thing to do, and if you are biased by choosing one religion i do not suggest you try and do that.

Answer 2

I've never heard of it, and I don't know the details.

But courts see many - not all - mentally ill people as being 'incapable of accountability for their actions' - which is why many of them are unable to sign contracts, for example. Mission work among people who may have difficulty making informed decisions seems to me to be very deceitful.

But that statement is based on an overgeneralisation of both the patients in question and the... um... 'encouragers' in question, so I repeat my initial statement that without further information it'd be difficult to say anything practical about it.

Answer 3

I have worked in a Mental Hospital for 28 Years. I frequently try to encourage Patients with The WORD Of God, sometimes it works, sometimes not. I do encourage them to Trust Jesus, and I Pray for them daily.

Answer 4

That would depend patient to patient...Mental Health is a broad focus just about every problem is placed under that catergory. If the patient is unable to comprehend the world around they may not be able to concetualize religon. However, all in all I believer everyone should believe in something it builds character. So my answer is patient to patient.

Answer 5

no, no religion. that's like trying to save someone from alcoholism by giving them cocaine. give them faith, give them knowledge. give them philosophy, not religion. teach them to ask questions and understand that some answers are just a matter of faith. yes, you can believe in god without there being physical and scientific proof of god. that is faith. faith is individual, faith is personal, faith is internal and spiritual.

someone who has had a recent mental vulnerability is likely to cling to the comfort and security of religion, but that's giving them a new delusion. really, churches and religious institutions have caused more harm throughout history than murderous dictators have. hitler and stalin and sadam hussein couldn't possibly compare to what was done during the crusades, or what is being done now, in iran for example, to those who don't accept islam.

give them god, give them the idea that there is a greater good, a loving and omnipotent being that loves and accepts. don't give them religion, please. give them faith, tolerance, peace. tell them that they don't need anything between them and god. there doesn't need to be a church or a temple for their prayers to be heard. they don't have to pray in the words that are written in the prayer-books, they can pray in their own words, with their own feelings.

i suppose i've taken this a bit too far. or maybe not. just something to think about.

Answer 6

Mental health patients, can not cope with what is already on there plates.A better idea pray for them.

Answer 7

I strongly recommend the reading of the Bible on a regular Basis.
It only helps, never hurts.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!
10-16-6

Answer 8

sometimes mental health patients believe that everyone has done them wrong, or believe that they are saints, if they can humbled themselves and know that everyone has sinned and learn forgiveness and compassion it would go a long way towards reclaiming their sanity.

Answer 9

Yes indeed, line them up and traips them by Benny Hinn, Peter Popoff et al. What harm could it do?

Answer 10

if it gets their minds off their depression, it can't hurt. Besides, in my observation, mentally ill people seem to find religion all by themselves.It seems to ease their mental anguish.