GeoTheo

I see huge leaps in logic in this thread. Am I the only one?

JCS

Not it all, we are pretty much all in agreement that this murder was illogical.

GeoTheo

Do atheists that commit suicide commit suicide because they are atheists?
Here is the leap in logic:
Woman kills kids because she believes God told her to do it.
Woman was a Christian
All Christians believe God speaks to them in an audible voice
Christianity leads to mothers killing their Kids.

I think all it shows is that the woman was probably mentally ill and that she drew symbolism from her environment. If she weren't a Christian she would perhaps kill her kids because she tought they were space aliens or somthing.
Also just because the media has highlighted these two similar cases doesn't mean there is a trend. The media picks stories they think they can make money with. Do you still think we would be hearing about Laci Peterson if she were 350 lbs and had a mustach and a big wart on her nose?
I think the News media is sensationalizing the contrast between these devout womens religious background and their horrible crimes.

JCS

Can dead people answer question only they can answer?

Spaz

I think somebody said that already, the problem here is that the religion sees hearing things from god as normal, so she didn't seek mental help. Had her environment been telling her "If you hear voices in your head you're fucking crazy" then maybe she would've sought help.

Sabine Grant

In Andrea Yate's case, there were previous symptoms and attempted treatments of her psychosis. No doubt there that her close relatives neglicted to aknowledge how dangerous her condition was. From the various articles I read relating her life story, her various physicians did not pursue continuous medication and close supervision.
In this other mother's case, I am not sure it was shown that she had developed symptoms of a possible psychosis. My mother was in her late forties when she was finaly diagnosed. Until then, my father had not aknowledged that her behavior could be the result of a mental illness. " depression" was the word he would use.
This Texas mother sang in the choir, taught sunday school and apparantly did not exhibit any symptoms until that terrible tragedy. A psychosis can suddenly " explode". It is like a time bomb.
Actualy religion does not see " hearing things from God as normal" especialy if those things express harming another individual or oneself. Mainstream christian denominations will attribute harmful intents dictated by voices to demonic presence.
Take the Roman Catholic Church for example which still will investigate closely anyone who claims to hear voices and launch a possible exorcism. ( not that I recommend that method to deal with a diagnosed psychosis).
Modern christianity can recognize the validity of medical treatment. My church for example has a team of professional counselors who volunteer their time in our various rehab centers ( mostly drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence) and they will refer a participant to medical treatment if necessary.
Some churches have recognized the value of referrals to secular help.

GeoTheo

Speaking from my experience as a fundamentalist Baptist(which is not how I would currently describe my affiliation) Baptists don't believe God speaks to people in an audible voice in this day and age. People who make such claims are greeted with skepticism.

Yellum Notnef

So how do you know if God is talking to you?

GeoTheo

I think the burden of proof would be on God.

Yellum Notnef

Is this supposed to be your answer to my "How do you know if God is talking to you" question?

I really hope it's not since it makes no sense at all.