A new study shows that god lovers have depression more than none god lovers per population. Why is bi-polar depression amongst christians expecially so high?
2006-12-19 13:26:39 · 36 answers · asked by Norb 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you'd be bipolar too if you had imaginary friends that let you down day after day.
2006-12-19 13:28:51 · answer #1 · answered by renamed 6 · 3⤊ 7⤋
This is a very good question, and I don't know the answer.
I don't know whether bipolar depression makes people more likely to become Christians or whether Christians are more likely to develop bipolar depression (i.e., which comes first?).
If a lot of depressed/bipolar people are coming to Christ, it could be because of God's great love for all people and the acceptance these people find in Christ. Why would they not commit their lives to someone who promises hope and healing at least in the next life, if not in this life?
If a lot of Christians are developing depression/bipolar, it could be because of the difficulty in achieving the balance that seems to be required in a Christian life. There are so many times that the Bible warns against extremes, and there can be a lot of tension in finding the right way to follow God. There is frequently a sense of failure and inadequacy because Christians are so aware of God's standards. There is also the tension of being in the world but not of it; Christians are aware that this world is not their home, and they long to be with Jesus.
As I said, I don't really know, but these are some things I thought about. Great question!
2006-12-19 13:40:10 · answer #2 · answered by Lily 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christians are usually dealing with emotional stuff a lot more. I don't know much about bi-polar but I do know that depression is sometimes genetically pre-disposed and sometimes it is situational. I think a lot of christians are under condemnation and we still have the issues that non christians have, I suppose christians are prompted (maybe from God or a friend coming alongside) to deal with stuff more often so they can heal and move on. Dealing with your hurts can leave you raw emotionally for awhile while they heal. I have wondered the same question myself, many times.
2006-12-19 13:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by anastasiagirl7 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first not all studys are correctly showing the amount of people.
i am a christian and i have gone through depression. i dont think that it in itself is the fact that we are christians, but the way we grow up. most christian parents are super-overprotective, and so we grow up with a wall between us and the not-so-christian families. we feel different therefore we try to be the same as them. when we try to be the same as them the leash our parents have us on pulls us back and so we are sad. we are sad that we cannot live like them. some christians are bi-polar because they get mad, and the christian thing to do about things is the exact opposite than the human instinct, so thats where the wacko bipolarness comes in.
2006-12-19 13:32:14 · answer #4 · answered by gigglepie2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is largely due to the fact that religion has become increasingly emotional in the last two or three decades. It didn't used to be that way but with the influx of extreme types of music, and emotional experiences instead of spiritual relating to God the church is paying a price. It is not all denominations though that are falling into this error, mostly pentacostal and those deniminationally related. Thay also have much greater demonic activity in those churches which also creates emotion stress.
2006-12-19 13:32:14 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do you care? I for one don't believe this so called study.Some of the happiest people I know are Christians. Some people were depressed until they found God. So I don't believe you study at all.
2006-12-19 13:33:31 · answer #6 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sensitivity, becoz they have a lot of gentle feelings and try harder to make things right. And when they see bad things thru God's eyes, they can feel the pains and hurts, which God does too - and He will do something about that... See how caring the God they worship, coz He is alive!
2006-12-19 13:36:02 · answer #7 · answered by heartspiritdivine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is pretty logical if you ask me, the higher the percentage of something the more likely there is a flaw in a few of the people. If there were 90% atheists than I'm pretty sure they will be the most depressed.
I'm not defending Christians, I'm atheist myself.
2006-12-19 13:30:23 · answer #8 · answered by Reload 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are not! It's life that makes you miserable, no matter what the religion, and you'd be miserable too if everyone was telling you that you're an idiot for believing in God.
Maybe it's because they have a conscience and everyone is telling them they shouldn't be so 'inhibited'.
Maybe the church should look into it.
2006-12-19 13:33:11 · answer #9 · answered by The Nomad Yokai 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know for sure. Maybe the guilt thing. Or the hell thing. I remember what that was like. I don't think I really bought into anyway. But I'm not judging anyone. If that's the life you feel you need, go for it.
2006-12-19 13:34:29 · answer #10 · answered by flip4449 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's not that Christianity causes depression or bipolar disorder. It's just that people with mood disorders, anxiety disorders or even psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are more drawn to religion as it provides a safe haven for people who suffer. Further, the very nature of Christianity is dellusional, but because it is a socially accepted delusion, people with mental illness are free to continue believing in Christianity without fear of their psychiatrists. That is the function of organised religion, but sometimes it is taken too far like in cases of 'converting others' or fanaticism.
2006-12-19 13:31:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋