There are psychological benefits of having some sort of faith. This does not prove religion is true, but does show that a belief is a psychological defense mechanism and a way of dealing with the world.
The number of times I've heard people say or read, "Pray and Jesus will heal you of your depression" That is hate speech. It's basically saying that if someone is depressed or has some other mental illness that it is because they don't have enough faith. It's a form of social control and it is abusive especially to those who had or have faith yet still suffer. In many ways it is malicious by placing blame on the sufferer. Such people discuss mild bouts of depression belittling sufferers of severe illness and taking away yet another coping mechanism ie. Christian faith.
Assuming that mental illness is somehow caused by lack of faith denies science and puts mythology in control. Or is it that Christians veiw the mentally ill like lepers? Unclean and unworthy?
2007-05-23 20:03:51 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
May, I wasn't talking about you specifically. I was talking from my own experience in dealing with depression in a Christian community while growing up. I was accused of being a faithless at the very least and by others a devil worshiper because of emotions and behaviour at the time I was very much Christian, but I wasn't well. Ironically, because of this attitude of 'Christian love', I lost my faith.
2007-05-23 20:27:10 · update #1
You shouldn't lose your faith just because of misled people who happen to practice the same faith. These people who called you these horrible things are obviously wrong, but letting them negatively influence your faith is worse. I hope everything goes well for you, and I hope that you do not classify an entire faith based on some of its practitioners.
2007-05-23 20:52:48 · answer #1 · answered by Tiffany 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lies. Utter lies.
I am a christian, and I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety (the same family as depression). It got to a stage where I had to be put on a drug called Zoloft.
people enter this with a "just pray about it and she'll be right" type attitude. You have not failed God by taking medication. In fact, often it will be obedience. In kings somewhere it actually is obedience to get help. Jesus even saught out doctors.
The thing we need to remember is that we are flesh and spirit. We;re not just one or the other. A mental illness is not a lack of faith, and christians need to wake up and realise it, because this is where a lack of grace doesn't help people in need - which is what christ has commanded us to do.
Just some encouragement for you, in 2 corinthians 1, it says that we go through these kind of trials so that we can help others that face the same things.
We just need to remember seek FIRST the kingdom of God - go run after God, then follow through with whats needed.
Hope this helped
2007-05-23 23:09:55 · answer #2 · answered by Sammy S 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are so many facets to mental illness that most find it perplexing and frustrating. there are no easy answers. christianity is seen by some as a way for a quick cure. Since many don't understand the complexities of each individuals' problem, and tend to use generalizations in dealing with them. It is often thought that religion will cure all, and when that fails, it is thought that this is a reflection of ones' own failure. This sends a message that somehow, if the affected would have tried harder, they could have made their "badness" go away. This only perpetuates the illness, and the sufferer feels even more hopelessness that he or she has failed. Sometimes you have to be your own council. don't listen to religious fanatics who have twisted the scriptures to fit their own depravities, and fanatical ways. Remember, they"re the ones in line in front of you at the shrinks' office.
2007-05-23 20:30:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In our broad and varied American public we find pockets of thought in every community, the church included.
It is unfair to lump all Christians into a category of not understanding depression - as this just represents a segment of those who feel faith alone will heal anything.
I applaud the churches that have Counseling Programs and trained, licensed counselors on staff. Three times in my life I have faced depression and terrible difficulties where the Christian Counselor was very effective helping me to access my faith to work toward my healing, as well as directing me to get the needed medical treatment for my body and depression, too. Without both my faith and the psych meds I would not be here to speak these words of hope.
In every group of people, you will find some who understand depression and mental illness, and some who do not. In my experience as I have moved from place to place, I have found more Christians who are compassionate and encouraging toward mentally ill people, than those who are not.
I believe there needs to be a distinction between what God says in the Bible, and what people say. I prefer to listen to the one who created my mind.
2007-05-23 20:48:13 · answer #4 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think when it comes to mental illness that we cannot just classify one group of people because I have all kinds of people belittle me because of my depression. Oh, and I have heard it all. Not all Christians feel the same way just as not all people feel the same way. Some understand and/or accept it and some do not for their own reasons. I think it is most important that we continue to try and educate people so that there is eventually less of a stigma out there and those that choose to look at it differently will just as with anything else it is a choice. Education is very important and will help more people understand depression though. It is not for me to judge. I try my best to work on myself and wish the best for anyone who suffers from depression or any mental illness. We are the only ones that can make a change~
2007-05-23 20:14:59 · answer #5 · answered by Hopeful 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I guess it depends on who you talk to - what that particular person's personality is like. I'm a Christian and I believe in God and stuff, but I also believe mental illness is something that science is needed to fix. I'm not into the whole preaching about Jesus. Sometimes religion can help you feel better in yourself, but when people say "Pray and Jesus will heal your depression", I know what you mean. I have bad epilepsy that my medication can't controll and the people at church say "pray to god and he will help you". I think medicine is the only thing that can help. Some people are just really into what they believe and they can't help trying to make you feel that way.
I don't think that all Christians view mentally ill people like lepers, I certainly don't anyway - probably only radically obsessed people think like that. Mental illness is another thing of every day life and people can't help having it. If you ask me, stick to what you think works, & if you ever need to talk, I'm here - don't worry I won't preach at you, I'm not really that into religion myself.
No offence intended to anyone out there.
2007-05-23 22:13:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Theist or Atheist, it doesn't matter if you are narrow minded you will attack anyone that doesn't fit your slot. To say that Christians are any more abusive than Muslims or atheists or Mormons or Davidians is similarly narrow minded. If there is a God, guess what, we're all praying to the same guy. He doesn't listen to you more because you prostate yourself toward Mecca any more than he does someone with prayerbeads or someone that sticks a note in a wall in Jerusalem. If He could actually talk to us I imagine He would say something like "Man you people got it all screwed up! Making war on each other in my name isn't what I'm about! Back to the drawing board... Let's see, I've done flood....."
2016-05-21 08:47:23 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So what. Just because they believe you can be healed by going to church, doesn't make it hate speach...where does the definition of hate speech stop? Give me a break. If you have a mental Illness, then you shall treat it with meds and or counciling. That's what some believe (religion heals all) not all christians, others realize that you need intervention by the mental health field,..p.s. I agree that some don't understand mentall Illness and it makes me angry too, but lets not generalize.
2007-05-23 20:23:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
So far I have found the most acceptance in the Christian community. Most of the people in the general community think I am weird or should just "get over it". I mean Christians have said that I should pray and stuff, but they totally think that I should take a doctors advice.
2007-05-23 22:40:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
i think all religions are metally abusive. you say there are psychological benefits to having some sort of faith... right, the same benefits a herion addict gets from shooting up, a crutch that reafirms their addictin through mass releases of dopamine. the reaction to someone praying with a group in church in the brain is identical to an addict shooting up. nothing more. they justify their feelings further be claiming problems are just a lack of faith, saying that people just need to find god not to be depressed is the same as someone suggesting you go shoot herion because you feel down. it might help you get high for a while, but really its just gonna let you down in the end.
and of course christians are ignorant... they ARE christians......
2007-05-23 20:28:40 · answer #10 · answered by Skyhighatrist 1 · 3⤊ 3⤋