What is the clergy's responsibility to the people of the faith?

Question

With all of the people that have killed their kids, grandkids, step kids, wives, husbands, etc. over the last few years that claim that either god told them to do it, the devil made them do it, the children were possessed, etc., shouldn't more and more people of faith speak out and teach against such actions? Shouldn't there be services dedicated to letting people know that such ideas are more likely signs of mental sickness, and are not good excuses to commit murder?

Here are a few examples of what I'm speaking of, for those who demand proof that christians do these types of things:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/05/12/slain.children/
http://www.courttv.com/trials/laney/040104_ctv.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6561617/
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_59715.asp
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1586978,00.html

There are plenty more examples, but what I want to know is: What is the clergy's responsibility in preventing these things from happening?

In other words, why don't Benny Hinn, Paula White, Joel Olstein, Pat Robertson, T.D. Jakes, and everyone else that frequents television stations like TBN and The Word Network preach that if people think that they are hearing from God, and it goes against the law, they probably should seek professional counsel and mental therapy before going any further?

Jed, I'm insulted. I don't believe in a god, and I would never do any of those things. As a matter of fact, I don't know of any atheist that would. Believing that God told you to kill your kids seems to be a strictly religious phenomena, and only religious people follow through with it. Please don't change the subject by throwing up straw-men to beat down.

Answer 1

"Oh, but you shouldn't question god. If he tells you to kill your family, you should probably listen. His wisdom is better than yours."

Answer 2

Being eclectic is like I'm on my own private island. (Not really applicable there, unless it involves my responsibilities to everyone. This would basically be a good, helpful, and kind person. Also to not mis-represent myself or others.) However, I do get lonely and have attended a few public rituals with a local Grove. They are part of ADF, if you care. I've been contemplating getting membership with them. I looked at their page to try and answer your question, but nothing was spelled out. I think the Senior Druid, or someone else, can legally marry people. They are whatever-whatever certified so they are recognized as a church and can accept donations and such. They hold ritual on saturday mornings as well as high days, and most are public. They offer a Dedicants Program which mainly involves researching and writing papers to better understand your religion. I'm not thinking of much else that they offer, though I'm probably spacing much. Another group that I've been a lurker on and would have membership with if I had more time also has a prison outreach. Not so much anymore, but for a long time they were the main ones educating people about Wicca in my area. They hold a lot of events like festables, pot-lucks, adult education classes, and a few rituals. They also have a monthly news letter that is interesting. Their main objective now is to network local Pagan Groups and some buisnesses. I know atleast two of the Directors last year were certified to do weddings. EDIT: oh, the first group is mostly Druid, but a lot of Pagans like their Dedicants Program and community so not all are Druid. The second is a Wiccan and Pagan network and the Board of Directors are elected. wow.. I think I ramboled into the IDC and TMI section. EDIT to add: the leaders would be the ones organizing, putting on, and leading events and publications as well as incharge of legalitites.

Answer 3

The Clergy is supposed to exhort, edify, teach, preach, etc. and do all he can, BUT cannot be held responsible for some other individual's choices. As long as he has told them, and shown them.
Belief in God, and taking Him seriously prevents much sin and evil. People strive to live a holy and blameless life. But, teach them that there is no God, and hand them a philosophy of living that tells them there's nothing after this life, and they will sin even doing worse sins. They believe they are accountable only to themselves.
We can only tell them so much. Whether they can accept it and implement it into their lives is another thing. About SOME people:
Many hide behind God, under the skirts of the Church, or say something stupid hoping to get off by reason of insanity.

Answer 4

We clergy, who are Christian counselors, can only counsel a person to the degree of our education. People who hear voices that tell them to kill are mentally ill. Clergy men and women do everything in their power to get the individual in touch with those who hold degrees and work in mental health. Counseling is not enough for those who are ill. To tell such an individual that it's wrong to kill is not sufficient to turn the individual around. They are dealing with psychotic behavior. They desperately need medical and psychological help. This is not a religious phenomena.

Answer 5

I guess what frightens me the most in situations like this is that there HAD to be clear warning signs for others to see. But they were probably ignored because the mom was "so spiritual that she would never hurt her kids".
Rather than stepping back and questioning odd behavior and perhaps intervening, the church community probably just prayed for her. That would just add more fuel to the fire!

Answer 6

with all the murders done in the name of god in the usa it just shows how bad the brainwashing is and how bad relgion is and i bet thay all get let off all because the church runs the usa with its fairy tale laws

Answer 7

You cant blame nuts on the clergy.
BB

Answer 8

The clergy Do teach that these things are a sin.

And many churches teach their counselors to spot mental illness and recommend that these people see a licensed professional.

Do you really think that crazy people are going to always listen to good advice?


===edit===

There are specific Bible verses that say, in effect, that if you are hearing voices telling you to sin, then that voice is evil, and not of God. I cannot tell you why certain pastors do not speak of these things. You would have to ask them.

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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world....

...Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[ our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

[excerpts from 1 John 4]