Born-Again Christians a Potential Threat to Mental Health Sufferers (1)

Dale Harcombe (10142) 21 May 2009 09:07 PM

As you know I am a Christian and I belive in the power of prayer. I also believe God gave us doctors for good reason and some things need medical atention. I am horrified at the attitudes of the so called christian women in this story. Depression is a medical illness and should be treated as such. Sadly depresssion and other mental ilnnesses are treated differently by many both in and outside of the church. However it does seem that at times that certain churches can often end up doing more harm than good by their attitudes towards such things. I have had friends been affected this way by well meaning but blinkered people.

Beth McHugh (13186) 21 May 2009 11:31 PM

Yes, Dale, I agree, it's really appalling the ways these people behave. And they can taint the excellent work of other genuine, caring Christians by their actions. But most of all it is sad for the sufferer.

surthrive (25) 27 Jun 2009 02:27 AM

I lived with a male about a year and a half ago who used to be very notorious for what we refer to in australia as "bible bashing" that is, going around preaching the word of god to people. Then he became a devotee to a cult called Adidam, and spoke about his guru all the time...whilst getting stoned nearly every day. He really thought he was a healer! I think alot of these people have "saviour" complexes, like they think they are jesus or something...it's so dangerous.

Beth McHugh (13186) 28 Jun 2009 08:31 PM

Hi Surthrive, yes some of these people are very dangerous indeed. Offering false hope in the name of God is disgraceful. Vulnerable people are suffering enough without the added stress of these false Christians. Best wishes, Beth

LarryJameson (101) 30 Jun 2009 01:31 AM

When my wife was in intensive care with a 5% chance of survival, I was bombarded in the waiting room by the religious groups. I had been given almost no hope for my wife to live - and certainly was in no mood to discuss religion or anything else with anyone.

One day I heard my wife's name mentioned at the reception desk. I looked up to see about 8 people being directed to ICU. Not recognizing any of the people - not to mention that only 2 family members were allowed to visit four times each day - I went to the desk and asked who they were.

I was told the people belonged to a prayer group at my wife's church. Talk about livid. I was rather abrupt. I'm her husband. She doesn't have a church. Get those people out of there.

The leader of the group came to me and apologized. He said the church's pastor had requested their visit, and he thought everything had family approval. Then he said, "we just wanted to form a prayer circle around her and pray for her."

I looked at him and asked, "Why would you want to take so many germs into a critical care area and direct all those germs directly at the patient?"

He apologized again and left without answering my question.

Beth McHugh (13186) 06 Jul 2009 06:05 PM

Hi Larry, what an awful experience for you. Thank ou for contributing your story -- it demonstrates the arrogance of which I was speaking and the lack of respect. I'm not against prayer at all, just the inconsideration of some people in the name of God. My understanding is that God does not thrust himself on anyone, if only his followers would take note. I hope your wife recovered from her ordeal. Best wishes, Beth