What stance does Chrisianity take towards people with mental illnesses?

Question

Are they possessed by demons? Sent by God to teach people compassion? What is your opinion?

So someone that has borderline personality disorder, what would you tell them? This is a very nasty disorder, and it is not caused by a chemical imbalance because medication can not treat it. If you know anything about this disorder, would you say they are just possessed?

Answer 1

I think that a clear answer would be less generalized than the question is. Christianity isn't ruled by a place ( yet), and some Christians see it one way, and others see it another. I can only give you what I think.

"Are they possessed by demons?"
Not always.

"Sent by God to teach people compassion?"
More likely.

"What is your opinion?"
You got it.

Answer 2

There has been a change, in that most people now realize mental illnesses are treatable, at least to some extent. However there remains a stigma towards mental illnesses, particularly the more severe types. I also think many people are becoming fed up with people blaming all kinds of bizarre and criminal behaviors on some mental illness or another. It seems doctors are too ready to label a person mentally ill and start them on very potent medications. There is a big difference between true mental illness and a temporary behavioral problem, laziness, personality quirks, etc.

Answer 3

Oracle: Firstly; when a person has a mental disability, it doesn't mean he or she is "demon" possessed . Mental illness and "demon" possession are two separate things. Either way; a Christians conduct towards such individuals is to be compassionate, just and show love to them. Now; to take it upon one's self to attempt to "exercise" the demon from the possessed individual is an entire, different issue. Personally, I would not attempt this, re: "why would I sweep this house clean, and have seven more infest it" (quote from Jesus Christ when prompted by His disciples to rid a man of his demon possession) ! By the way ... I knew of a person, he would perform exorcisms on demon possessed persons, deemed so, after being checked out by a MD (medical doctor) and a Psychiatrist then, he would "exercise" these demons ( of course, the possessed person would have to want to be made rid of the demon(s) and quit the behaviour which caused the possession in the first place) .

Answer 4

I believe people with mental illnesses are definitely being tormented by demons. I personally know 3 people very good, all diagnosed as schitzophrenic yet they all act out in different ways. One guy pretty much maintains, another one talks about 2Pac being God and my best friends son, at age 19, now 22 yrs. sits in jail awaiting trial for murdering a guy. He beat him in the head with a bat. Because of what I have seen over the years being around him, I know he was possessed. He talked alot about 2 Pac too.

Answer 5

Personally I feel that many disorders such as bi-polar or schizophrenia are spiritual problems rather than mental. By spiritual in nature I mean demonic oppression. We are taught that we have only five senses but I fully believe in a sixth sense. Just because we can't quantify something by the scientific method doesn't mean it's not there. Many people, even many Christian's, will disagree with my conclusion, but I have had too many experiences with myself and others in this area, to care what people think. Is it any wonder that there has been this sudden increase in mental disorders and prescribing of happy pills (prozac, etc.), at the same time the moral standards of our culture are diminishing? I can only pray that people with mental disorders can find lasting solutions to their problems.

Answer 6

Even today many people have misconceptions about mental illness. I'm a Christian and I believe mental illnesses are brain illnesses. Schizophrenia is a disease more painful than cancer to some. I hope we would learn compassion from our mentally ill fellow travelers, but often we don't show them the compassion they deserve.

Answer 7

Although I'm not Christian I think some have not gone totally off and they think the traditional beliefs that some suffer chemical disbalances and environmental problems ...then they retreat into the compartment labeled religious faith ...It's a form of schiziod mentality and treated with kid gloves shhhhhhhhhsh don't speak the truth is rude .

Answer 8

Now you know the devil got anyone with any differnet thinking pattern you dont have to be mentally ill just a different thinker and your deemed possessed by the devil!
Little compassion about how they go about their exocism either hay that a terror job the priest perform on the weak!
It's bad It's sad!

Answer 9

In my opinion, the church and people who call themselves Christians have become mentally ill! They barge into other peoples' lives without paying attention to their own backyards! They have become so self righteous and revolting that they are incompassionate losers!
"why do you look at the speck saw-dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?' You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw away your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under your feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

Answer 10

People who have mental illnesses are oppressed by demonic spirits. Also, there was a story in the bible where Jesus encountered a man who had a demon and he was so fierced no man could pass through that area. But, Jesus cast out the demon and the man started wearing clothes again and was in his right mind. In addition, some people have spoke their mental illness into existence, by saying, "I'm going to go crazy one day". Then it comes to pass. Or, God can pass judgement on you to humble you. Nebudchanezzar lifted his head in pride and God gave him the mind of an animal for 7 years.