1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured Mental illness and the Baptist Chuch

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by seekingthetruth, Apr 24, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Top Posters
Page 3 of 11
  1. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,911
    Likes Received:
    1,663
    Faith:
    Baptist
    WHAT A GIFT, Right! AMEN to dat:jesus:
     
    #41 Earth Wind and Fire, Apr 24, 2012
  2. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2004
    Messages:
    10,295
    Likes Received:
    0
    The answer is in the bible, try it for once instead of making up your own religion.
     
    #42 freeatlast, Apr 24, 2012
  3. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,121
    Likes Received:
    17
    We all have a better life because God granted it to us, as He granted all things, i.e. faith, repentance, salvation, suffering &c.

    I have a brother who is mentally ill, and seriously so. I've witnessed too many Christians treat others not up to their pharisaical level like trash.
     
    #43 preacher4truth, Apr 24, 2012
  4. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,121
    Likes Received:
    17
    You're out of control. Practice self-control. :thumbs:
     
    #44 preacher4truth, Apr 24, 2012
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,911
    Likes Received:
    1,663
    Faith:
    Baptist
    & sensitivity & humility! Instead of being so self righteous.
     
    #45 Earth Wind and Fire, Apr 24, 2012
  6. DiamondLady

    DiamondLady New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2011
    Messages:
    808
    Likes Received:
    0
    boy, I go to dinner and this thread degraded into the gutter fast!
     
    #46 DiamondLady, Apr 24, 2012
  7. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2011
    Messages:
    11,023
    Likes Received:
    1,108
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I re-posted the original op so folks could look again at the intent.

    I have been reading, again, through the various posts on the thread.

    I see the tremendous thoughts and support for those who are evidently having problems in mental areas.

    I have a question that perhaps needs to be on a different thread, and if so let me know.

    First the scenario:

    Years ago, a married man underwent tremendous psychological changes due to both illness and injury. He retained the same IQ, but emotionally and his personality were no longer what he once was - he was completely different.

    Basically, he could express no emotional feelings or respond with any affection or inflection. Other than give direct noninflected answers, with no analytic understanding of body language, appropriateness, or other cues that provide social interaction framework, he appeared to be normal. No smile, no frown, no awareness of how others might perceive something, nothing of emotive support to give to wife, family, friends... He was not a danger to society, but cold - heartless. No medication would help, and there was no improvement that would ever be a part of this person's living. The brain was damaged - repair was impossible.

    Because he was no longer that person (and no hope of recovery), his wife for her own protection and that of their child moved out and away. Her concern was the emotional detriment would damage the child and her beyond what she could stand.

    Staying within the OP parameters:

    What responsibility do you suppose the church has in ministerial support for this person?

    What would you do to provide for the needs of the family both physically and spiritually?

    If this person were to visit your gathering, how might you respond to the person who would show no personality?
     
    #47 agedman, Apr 24, 2012
  8. seekingthetruth

    seekingthetruth New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,611
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think your question has everything to do with the intent of my OP, and I am anxious to see some repsonses from others.

    I am afraid that any response that i give will be biased because of my own personal experiences...so please, carry on.

    John
     
    #48 seekingthetruth, Apr 24, 2012
  9. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2011
    Messages:
    11,023
    Likes Received:
    1,108
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Please, biased or not - contribute your thinking!!!!!
     
    #49 agedman, Apr 24, 2012
  10. seekingthetruth

    seekingthetruth New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well, i think the church is obligated to do anything they can for a sick person, be it a physical or mental illness. And i think that the ill person deserves the same respect and welcome to the congregation that anyone else would get.

    As far as the wife????? Is she really afraid of her husband or is she just leaving because he is no longer normal? I have heard of people divorcing their spouses that have dementia and other mental illnesses out of selfishness. If this is the case then i don't feel the church has any responsibility to assist her in her sin.

    But, if there is a real danger to the wife and kids then the church should help them to feel safe by providing whatever support makes that happen.

    I have seen my pastor deal with families that were being abused by the father. Now, my pastor absolutely loathes a wife beater. But i have seen him a couple of times first get the family to a safe place, and then work with the abuser to try to help him heal with the intent of the family reaching reconciliation. In other words, he did not abandon either party, and he helped in different ways according to their needs.

    So, my short answer is to protect the family first if need be, but don't abandon the person that is ill. Both sides need help.

    John
     
    #50 seekingthetruth, Apr 24, 2012
  11. seekingthetruth

    seekingthetruth New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Let me add that my own wife had a hard time accepting my illness, and even left me after i was diagnosed because she didnt think she could deal with it. Now she is my biggest supporter, but sometimes it takes a while for a spouse to realise that the person they are married to now is not the same person they married, and it is difficult for them.

    John
     
    #51 seekingthetruth, Apr 24, 2012
  12. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,983
    Likes Received:
    1
    I never believed in Mental Illness. And my belief has been strengthened since I watched The Marketing of Madness video.
     
    #52 Steadfast Fred, Apr 24, 2012
  13. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2006
    Messages:
    13,103
    Likes Received:
    5
    Seriously? Did you know that Charles Spurgeon suffered from severe depression? Do you think he was lying about it? Faking?
     
    #53 Amy.G, Apr 24, 2012
  14. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    I believe in mental illness - especially after having a mentally ill young woman live with us for many months.
     
    #54 annsni, Apr 24, 2012
  15. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,983
    Likes Received:
    1
    Depression is a result of oppression, not mental illness.
     
    #55 Steadfast Fred, Apr 24, 2012
  16. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    It can be both. It's obvious you have never dealt with mental illness before. I never believed in it either until we had a very mentally ill 16 year old live with us. I can attest to the fact that it is real. It was not demon possession either. It was mental illness due to severe abuse and exposure to drugs and alcohol in the womb. Her CT scan of her brain was amazing.
     
    #56 annsni, Apr 24, 2012
  17. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2004
    Messages:
    10,295
    Likes Received:
    0
    I am going to watch the video to see what it says. At this point I do believe that most so called mental illness is because of sin not being dealt with.
     
    #57 freeatlast, Apr 24, 2012
  18. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
    Moderator

    Joined:
    May 22, 2002
    Messages:
    11,538
    Likes Received:
    1,008
    Faith:
    Baptist
    In the 29 years that I have taught school, I have had two bi-polar middle school students. I currently have one of them now. Bi-polar (manic-depression) is reality whether you choose to acknowedge it or not. So is schizophrenia. I've seen it in one adult. Depression is real. When the hormones change, traumatic events occure, or we experience physical ailments, it can indeed affect the thinking patterns and the mind.

    Do you believe in cancer? Heart disease? Diabetes? Our bodies, from our heads to our feet, are in a state of deterioration from the moment that we are born. And ... our DNA and genetic make-up since the fall of Adam and Eve are compounded with mutations and flaws.

    People get sick. In the body and in the mind. Sometimes they are born this way - like my current bi-polar student. His mother was a drug addict and alcoholic. Sometimes the environment contributes to our sicknesses.

    Just like physical ailments, mental ailments can be treated with or without medications. Therapies help, counseling can help, lifestyle changes can help, spiritual growth can help, and prayer can help.

    But to throw the baby out with the bathwater and claim that mental illnesses do not exist is deny what can be seen every day.
     
    #58 Scarlett O., Apr 24, 2012
  19. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2009
    Messages:
    1,983
    Likes Received:
    1
    You are correct, I have never dealt with "mental illness". And I dare say I never shall... considering many psychiatrists admit there is no such thing as mental illness.
     
    #59 Steadfast Fred, Apr 24, 2012
  20. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    Psychiatrists who should have their licenses taken away. :)
     
    #60 annsni, Apr 24, 2012
Page 3 of 11
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Loading...