HelenM

I am continually disappointed at how Christians think that the Christian faith is The Answer to clinical depression.

<a href="http://www.thechristianbbs.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000084;p=2#0000 17" target="_blank">http://www.thechristianbbs.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000084;p=2#0000 17</a>

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I seem virtually alone there in saying "it's not that simple".

Oh well.

love
Helen

JohnR

I am at a loss for words. I have never read anything like that before. Not even the mention of "doctor" or "professional help". Don't these folks believe in medical help? Helen you seem to be the only level headed person there. I hope you can pound some common sense in these peoples head. Good Luck, JR

Gemma Therese

St. Therese and St. John of the Cross, great saints, suffered from depression and spiritual dryness.

Gemma Therese

bonduca

But for those who are lacking in saint potential, a visit to one's physician is recommended.

Vorkosigan

Lots of highly spiritual types have......religion isn't a cure for anything. Sadly.

I'm graduating this one...

[ July 06, 2002: Message edited by: Vorkosigan ]</p>

cloudyphiz

HelenSL-

i know several christians who suffer from clinical depression, and their faith has done nothing to help them. in fact, i see christianity as a sort of sweep-it-under-the-rug syndrome when it comes to real problems such as this. in my experience christians too often deal with tings like depression by pretending they don't exist, and in time their problems only get worse.

personally, i think you can trace this to jesus' behavior in the NT. people who suffered from obviously physical ailments like epilepsy or scizophrenia were said to be 'demon possessed' by their savior, and then the 'demons' were exorcised. christians today seem to follow this uninformed example.

-gary

Gemma Therese

Christianity is not a placebo. It's purpose is not to make us "feel good", or to solve our problems.

Perchance

Perhaps not. But shouldn't a person at least be happy as a follower of Christ? If he or she is not happy because of the religion, or if the religion is making his or her depression worse, then why does that say about the religion?

-Perchance.

Echo

Judging from my own observations, Christian beliefs are no more useful in curing depression than any other beliefs. Every other weekend, I attend a support group for people who suffer from depression or bipolar disorder. I sit there with about twenty to thirty of the unhappiest people you'd ever want to meet; and aside from me and a jewish couple, all of the regular attendees embrace some form of Christianity.

This is exactly what I would expect given the ratio of Judaism, Atheism, and Christianity in the general population; and this also exactly what I would expect if no religious perspective is any better at curing depression than any other.

I can understand why Christians would want to proclaim that their believers suffer from fewer instances of depression than the general population. After all, how can you say that Jesus imbues believers with a "peace that passeth understanding" when his believers are every bit as prone to depression and despair as nonchristians?

Gemma Therese

I can use the example of marriage. The ultimate goal of marriage is not necessarily happiness (allthough this is a popular notion) but fidelity to one's spouse -- except if the relationshjip is not healthy. It is the same with God. Being Christian does not promise happiness, or even that we will always "feel" close to God. But it is our fidelity to God, our faithfulness in time of sadness or doubt, that is important. Anyone can be faithful when things are going great. But if you're in a fight with your spouse, should you look for love elsewhere?

Gemma Therese

[ July 06, 2002: Message edited by: Gemma Therese ]</p>