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tdowns007 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 03:02 PM

I think, we are in a time, that Christians need to search and come to truths in the area of Psychiatry and the mind......your case is a good example....it is a lie to say that you are sick if you are not, which is a sin....but if that lie is based on a true malfunctioning mind, do we still call it sin, while also recognizing the need for a medical fix?

Take the case for any disorder; Anxiety? Is it a sin to be anxious, and to not trust in God? Some people are wired this way, and need council and maybe meds to help.....

Lethargy?
Depression?

What about something more obvious, like Homosexuality? We know for a fact, that this behavior is a sin, and even the thoughts of it would be. But, there is HEAVY research, that this trait is picked up through parenting, childhood issues. And with great amounts of therapy, can be treated (to the world's dismay). Current research shows the actual chemical reactions of the brain, that cause many psychological issues.....DOES IT TAKE AWAY RESPONSIBILITY, NO, NEVER....but it needs to be recognized to treat the entire person.

So, I believe, while we need to recognize sin as sin....saying REPENT OF YOUR LETHARGY, to someone who has chemical imbalances, etc. Is not going to help the person, we need to say, Yes, Lethargy is a sin, Yes I will pray for you, and Yes, you need to repent of it....but you may need a medical professional to help you to treat your sickness.

Just some thoughts on this, because, there are many in the church, that want to brush all psychological issues under the rug, say trust God, repent....and move on.....but they would never say that if someone showed up with a broken leg......and if a person with a psychological illness, is in a church, that considers psychological illnesses to be bunk, then that person is going to have extra burdens place on them that should not be, and I've heard of suicide being the result in some cases......

Bottom line, people who are sick, need doctors.....they need to pray, and seek healing from God, but Doctors can be used, some modern day churches are the equivalent of cults (blood transfusions, etc) when it comes to mental health, implying it is a sin to even need it.

Yes, the psycho-babble is abused by many, but, for some, mental health is something that is in need of specialists.

Just my two cent rant......