As some of you already know, I am in the process of writing a book about mental illness and the Church. This book will focus on educating the Church as to what mental illness is and isn’t, and highlight what they’ve been doing right, as well as what they’ve been doing wrong. It will also serve as a “guide” to ministering to the sick.
If you have a story – either good or bad – regarding your own experiences with mental illness and church/Christians, I want to hear from you. I am currently doing interviews and would love to hear what you have to say.
You can contact me at julie.fidlerATlive.com (Remove the “AT” and replace it with “@”.)
Looking forward to hearing from you!
-Julie
Julie, what I am wrestling with is whether faith IS mental illness. I am examining whether it is an emotional disorder that leads the needy to forming conclusions without proof so that they can comfort themselves.
I understand, and I’ve questioned that myself.
But the way I see it is, not believing in anything could be a mental illness, too. It could go both way.
That, and the fact that none of us are “normal.”
The refusal to form opinions without proof is the foundation of sanity.
Says you.
Tell that to millions of people with true joy and hope in their lives. I’m willing to bet they think you’re the insane one.
There are things in the Bible that have been proven.
There are things that have been proven in the hearts of believers, too. Call that insanity or schizophrenia or anything you wish, but it works for us crazy people.
But, seriously, I do get what you’re saying. I have wondered if my faith in God wasn’t really faith at all, but just fear of being wrong. And I’ve also wondered if the reason I don’t walk away from my faith is because I’m brain-washed. In the end, my faith won out and I don’t really drive myself crazy with those questions anymore. All I know is, once you experience Jesus, you’re not the same.
Julie, I hate to tell you this, but I have definitive proof that Jesus is not real. Jesus came to me in a vision and said, “i am not real.”
There, that proves it.
That would be funny… if it made sense.
I’m not interested in getting into a p***ing match with you, dude. Believe or don’t believe, but your view of religion isn’t going to change mine.
Julie, just remember that God will kill you for disagreeing with me.
Julie:
Seriously… look at this. http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
Watch the movie with an open mind, all the way through, and tell me Christianity isn’t a delusion.
If you can get past the much too graphic war photos at the beginning, you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Also, other than the holy bible. There is no proof that jesus the man existed. And in university? The holy bible is not considered a history book. Thousands of people can believe in a myth.
Nevermind manupmen’s silly comments. He doesn’t know how to get the point across properly. Watch the movie, and tell me if you can honestly still believe.
First off, do you honestly think I’ve never seen anything like that before? I have, and I still believe, because I believe in not just God, but in a devil, and in evil.
Second, I’m not really interested in debating with atheists. I’ve gone through the questioning, the wrestling, and I arrived at where I am now.
Third, none of this has ANYTHING to do with my post.
Julie, way to go, girl! Keep reminding him that faith has NOTHING to do with reality!
Now back to your blog entry. You said you wanted to talk to people about mental illness in the church. We all know mental illness is not possible in the church, because the Holy Spirit is in charge of the church and does not allow mental illness.
Wow, I think we agree on something here…
OK, I believe in God, and therefore you think I’m a giant ass. I can live with that. It’s a free country..
But actually, one of the reasons I’m writing this book is because the reason you stated – that much of the church doesn’t believe mental illness can even exist, but it does.
Julie, the church has at various times believed mental illness was the result of demons. Jesus cast demons into swine (poor swine) and suddenly the human victims were well. Therefore, the church finds mental illness a little touchy. The thinking goes, if you have God, He will protect you, heal you, and certainly will not allow mental illness. The implication becomes: if you are mentally ill, it is because your faith is not strong enough.
Absolutely, manupmen. I intend to include that unfortunate history in the book. I worked in mental health for years and learned all about that. I understand the thinking, too, which is exactly what I’m trying to combat.
No, it doesn’t have anything to do with your post, it has to do with your comments.
And I’m simply wanting to debate Jesus (which you don’t want to do), not God. I believe in God. But I think Jesus is a farce. And if people actually still think that prayer will heal a mental illness, that’s sad.
I’ve been possessed by demons for 12 years now. And all that’s come out of it, is that I think I’m the second coming when I’m sick. It’s all due to the bible. If Christianity didn’t exist? There’d probably be less delusions of grandeur. (I’m kidding about the demons.) So I think it’s mostly delusion.
But you don’t have to think that. If you’re happy? That’s what counts.
And nothing in the bible has been proven. If it has been proven? It’s only with bible-based proof. Take away the bible, and everything falls. Just like the essential grain of truth in a delusion.
I think it’s good that you are dispelling false beliefs about mental illness in the church, too.
Way to go. Good luck.
Julie, I highly recommend you join the Association of Biblical Counselors – http://www.christiancounseling.com – the site is packed with great info for members and some good stuff for non-members. And they approach everything from a distinctly biblical focus unlike other Christian organizations.
Thanks for the tip, Stacy. I’ll be sure to check that out.