I have a friend, he's a smart guy when it comes to most things, but he took me by surprise when he said illnesses of the mind are the work of demons. I believe he has the right to his beliefs, but I fear that mindset might hurt someone. What if a family member becomes psycotic, and he chooses not to give them proper meds?
2006-11-01 06:39:41 · 28 answers · asked by pinacoladasundae 3 in Travel ➔ Italy ➔ Bologna
The reason this irks me so much is because we have a mutual freind who is bipolar. I just want to make sure he does not convince her to stop taking her meds. He often gives her advice, but I really think she is too smart to buy into the demon thing. Maybe I just worry too much. But my instinct has yet to be wrong.
2006-11-01 06:55:23 · update #1
No I did not compare pyscosis to depression. I merely used them to present things that might happen. Please read.
2006-11-01 19:15:59 · update #2
So funny that you just posted this, my boss and I had the same conversation just yesterday. He's a well read, well spoken man, very intelligent. He THINKS THE SAME THING! He said we could eliminate most mental illness with the power of prayer, my jaw totally dropped! He doesn't believe in meds either......crazy, but true! So, I guess your friend is not alone in this insane (pardon the pun) thought process!
2006-11-01 06:44:02 · answer #1 · answered by Yahoo! Answers Chic 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, unfortunately a lot of people have some pretty primitive ideas about what makes the human body (and mind) tick. I recently read a post about a man who was having inappropriate sexual desires, and almost a third of the people recommended that he visit a priest and get an exorcism, claiming that a psychologist could not help him. Do priests even do excorcisms anymore?
It's a pretty sad state of affairs when people cannot get the help they need because their loved ones have some third-century beliefs about mental illness. Unfortunately, some religions are afraid to recognize mental disorders, because they contradict the universal free will that all people are supposed to have, and they would seem to be a mistake on God's part. Hence, the idea that demons were making people act against their will was invented.
2006-11-01 06:47:09 · answer #2 · answered by Dave B. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes demons can be cause, but mostly mental illness is a result of chemical imbalances in the body, genetics or due to trauma. Demons DO take advantage of what they find and exploit it. Casting out demons usually does not cure mental illness, but it can produce a temporary relief. The root cause of the illness must be treated, however, or the effects will not last. All mental illness involves the spirituality of the individual, even genetic mental illness; therefore, the spiritual aspects of the person must be dealt with. This is where psychiatry fails because psychiatrist are traditionally atheistic. Drugs produce do result, but they do not address the spiritual aspect and they are habit forming. Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer.
2006-11-01 07:34:08 · answer #3 · answered by Preacher 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sure, that's what's wrong with me. Just kidding.
Not many people these days are so sheltered that they still believe in old wives tales, however I'm sure if you traveled to BFE you'll find some freaks who are still naive. Sounds like your friend is one of them...he could be in a Cult or he's just a bigot (you choose). He can't be all that intelligent if he's making crass remarks. I'd just suck it up to ignorance.
Depression is primarily a chemical imbalance, however it can be triggered by external factors (events, influences, drugs, et cetera).
As to meds, if he is deemed legal guardian of this person & the court has ordered that the person stay medicated, if your friend fails to give them meds he can be prosecuted. Other than that, the psychotic person would be at fault. ***Please note that being psychotic and being depressed are not the same disease. You've asked 2 completely different questions here***
2006-11-01 06:41:53 · answer #4 · answered by Corn_Flake 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take this as an example. A new church opened near my home, as I walked by it one day, I was apporached. The person who approched me wanted to talk about Jesus and if I would attend a service. I said no. Later when I passed again, the same person apporached me, and this time he explained to me, that a person is possed by demons that must be cleansed. He said that when a person feels lazy and doesn't wanna wake up, the demons are preventing them from it.
So, yeah, some still do.
2006-11-01 06:42:59 · answer #5 · answered by Enterrador 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of physical causes of mental illness'... as well as emmotional trauma... But there are indeed demons of the forces of evil that are at work in some...note I said "some"... cases. After all other causes are ruled out, as best they can be, then the connection with evil influence should be looked into.
To refuse proper medical consultation in connection with any illness, mental or otherwise, is foolishness.
there is a clear tendancy for over medicating mental conditions... but some medications are helpful. As with any serious medical condition second opinions , and even third and fourth are sometimes needed...
All that said... if one is of The True Christian Faith, then, Prayer and spiritual intervention is also needed. And determination of the posability of demonic inflluence and confrontation of any such influence should be undertaken... this can be done in conjunction with any medical intervention being used as well... Prayer and demonic onfrontation dose not affect any drug regimin... and if a reputable therapist is willing to co-operate with both medical and spiritual intervention ...even when no demonic presence is suspected, a combination approch that can be of benifit... If ... the afflicted one is cooperative as well.
2006-11-01 06:54:39 · answer #6 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Demons do exist as well as God and angels and Satan. However, demons do not cause mental illnesses; they are a chemical inbalance. Even if it is the work of Satan, the person in question should have all the help that they can get; the rest is up to God.
2006-11-01 06:56:50 · answer #7 · answered by blondvamp2010 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, unfortunately there are still a lot of people that are ignorant of modern science, and believe religious leaders when they tell them that "demons" cause mental illnesses -- despite science having disproven that over two centuries ago.
And you're right -- it could really hurt someone. When there are drugs or treatments that could cure someone but they get sent to a priest/pastor for "casting out" instead, which does absolutely nothing, it's sad...but that does happen. :(
2006-11-01 06:43:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Pinacolada: for one to believe in demons one must first believe in the existence of a God. Surly you are not so naive to even consider such nonsense as associated with reality.
If your friend is truly "a smart guy" he will come to accept the wisdom of your way and cause no one any harm.
2006-11-01 06:53:01 · answer #9 · answered by mr.chrisrolle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only one he hurts with those beliefs is himself. That's very sad in this day that someone would believe that. Mental illness is no more caused by "demons" than diabetes or nearsightedness is.
2006-11-01 06:42:37 · answer #10 · answered by melouofs 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋