Why do so many Christians pretend that their religion is a cure to serious mental illness?

Question

I'm sorry, but I used to believe that mumbo jumbo and no matter how much faith a person has, it's not going to cure a mood, anxiety or psychotic disorder.

Of course, nearly all religions can help people better cope with their issues. That's not faith though, that's science, but what's with the "Oh no, don't trust in medicine or psychologists, trust in god." talk? How scary! Besides, working on the premise that there is a god who created everything, didn't he create the possibility for psychiatric drugs that work?

"Don't get chemotherapy for your testicular cancer, get a bible!" Frankly, that kind of advice is dangerous and people like this should be banned.

Any thoughts on that one?

Answer 1

I'm a Christian and I totally agree with you. My preacher believes there is no such thing as mental illness. He believes belief in Jesus is the only answer. I have schizophrenia and I take Abilify. It took away all the symptoms for over 4 years now and there are no side effects. I also suffered from major depression and I take Zoloft and Wellbutrin with great success. Mentally ill people definitely need medication. That's what they make it for and Jesus would agree.

Answer 2

There is often too much trust in any religion, not just Christianity. Some tribal cultures have religions that require all sorts of obscene things and rituals that would make those Christians look like a Peptobismol commercial.

I disagree with any sort of relying on faith for serious matters such as health or believing "God will provide". He may do that, he may not. He might cure your mental illness, but probabaly not. Either way, serious issues like that need to be dealt with seriously and professionally, not by a priest or minister from any religion.

But realize that some people don't have access to treatment for serious illnesses, either because of the country they live in or their finacial situation. Either way, resorting to religion is sometimes the only hope for people, even if it is a hope in vain.

Answer 3

I know... however, I think there might be a truth in their claim, even though they use it ignorantly.

There was once an article by Robin Dunbar in New Scientist, about how religious thinkings can be a product of evolution. I think that makes sense. The need for something to worship can be genetically programmed in us, as it has once been beneficial for our survival.

If we agree on that, not having any religious thoughts may cause psychological problems. Alas that doesn't work as a motivation to believe in God for a smart enough person.

Answer 4

I want to answer your question by telling you a joke. Maybe you've heard it: A small village was hit hard by a flood. Everyone grabbed their children and even their livestock and evacuated as best as they could. One old man went to the roof of his house and just sat there. After a while, a helicopter came and tried to rescue him to safety. The man said, "No thanks. Jesus will save me." The helicopter pilot said "OK" and left. An hour later, the helicopter passed by again and said, "Sir, we've taken everyone to safely. Why don't you jump up and let's get you out of here. It's getting worse by the minute." "Nope," said the old guy. "Jesus will save me." So the helicopter left and never came back. The old man drowned in the flood. When he went to the other side,he went up to jesus and said, "Jesus...I had all this faith that you would save me and you didn't. Why would you do that to me?" And Jesus said, "Well, I sent you a rescue helicopter twice, but you refused it!!"
So on that note, I totally agree with you. God gave us the illnesses but he also gave certain people the capabilites to come up with medicine to cure our mental illnesses. I toally agree with you. There is God in everything. Whether we pray or take the medication that God has blessed us to have access to, He is giving us options and we should take it. Like you said, it is downright dangerous not to seek medical help just b/c you believe God will help you. You can pray, you ccan talk to God to have hope and know that someone Higher up is looking out for you. But to disregard modern medicinde (whcih God brought us) and opt instead not to do anything about our conditions and have God miraculously take our ills away is ludicrous. I believe very firmly in God, but I agree with you wholeheartedly. Good question too

Answer 5

I believe in Jesus, and consider myself a Christian and all, but I'm not fanatical about it or anything. People who believe in that weirdness about God curing everything are just...strange. They creep me out! I once worked with someone like that, and he used to drive me nuts. He kept telling me that I need to find Jesus to quit smoking. Well, I've found Jesus even though I don't like to make a public spectacle out of it. I guess that he just "threw his cigarettes out the car window" when he found God. He claimed that it helped him with his mental issues too, but I sure don't see where it helped him. If he was better than he had been, I hate to think how the guy used to be. Yikes! The one thing that creeps me out about those overzealous types is that they are so self righteous. Like THEY have their lives perfectly figured out (even though reality looks a bit different!) and everyone else is an idiot for not thinking like they do. For a long time after that I wouldn't publicly acknowledge that I'm a Christian because I really wanted everyone to know that I WASN'T one of those types of Christians. In my opnions Christians are just supposed to live a Christianly lifestyle and let that and that alone speak for them.

Answer 6

Ignorance, fear, indoctrination, inability to question authority (church), judgment, group think, blind faith, lack of appreciation that those who experience the world differently are equal and worthy, narrow mindedness, abdication of self-responsibility, naivety, rigidity, close mindedness.... When it's as extreme as you describe, some may also have their own psychological disorders and/or mental illnesses.

Many/most people of faith do not believe as you describe.

Answer 7

We all need something to believe in, whether its spiritual or our form of a higher being. There is no cure for mental illness. We can only treat the symptoms. If believing in something helps you to feel better day by day, why not??

Good luck and take care of you!
Dee

Answer 8

YES THERE ARE CURES. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ONLY CURE FOR THE SPAN OF THE DRUG IN HOURS. I HAVE WATCHED MY WIFE SINCE 96 SPIRAL DOWNWARD. THEY CAN KEEP HER ALIVE AND THAT IS ABOUT IT. AS FOR A COMPANION, I STILL HAVE HER HERE. AS FOR A FUN DAY WALKING, CYCLING, MOTOR HOMING, DANCING, DINNERS, NO SHE IS NOT CAPABLE OF THOSE TASKS ANYMORE. BUT; SHE IS STILL HERE AMONGST THE LIVING FOR A WHILE LONGER, SMILING AND LAUGHING AND TELLING HER STORIES AS SHE CAN ONLY TELL THEM.

Answer 9

Christian priests earn a lot through "healing prayers".