Quote:
Originally Posted by flamesfever
I believe religion has been used quiet effectively to help people cope with mental illness, particularly those people suffering from addictions.
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Got any evidence to back up your claim?
I believe many people suffer more because they they put their hope in something that ultimately can't cope with real problems.
I think many people with problems just need people around them to support them to overcome their problems and religions provide this, but it's not something that's unique to religion.
On the other hand I've personally seen people struggle with problems because they thought religion was the answer.. week after week going to the alter to ask God for deliverance from real mental health issues, or going to a pastor for complex personal problems. And not only do they not get delivered, they feel embarrassed because the church sees them not getting better, they feel rejected and inferior because they see others supposedly getting help from God but they don't, they feel trapped because if they actually think of utilizing secular resources for their problem they're told that that shows they're not trusting God, no wonder their prayers aren't working, and that "worldly" people like psychologists are going to make their problem worse because of their humanistic godless ideas.
I think some churches can and do do a lot of good, but there's a dark side that goes unnoticed and overlooked.