Is sin always to blame for mental illness?

I'm always reading online or somewhere about mental illness always being a result of living in deep dark sin. It really bothers me a lot. What do others think?

It seems too ridiculous to even pay attention to.

Most of the internet content is crap to begin with, so you need to learn how to use the content in such a way as to not be hurt more and more.

It has NOTHING to do with sin or religion.

Absolutely not! In fact, I'd say it's very rarely due to "sin."

In my opinion, there is a good chance that such rhetoric is only there to strike fear in people. For anyone to say that committing a wrong ("sin") results in mental illness is quite ludicrous. People commit wrongs every day and typically learn from their mistakes and move forward. Mental illness should never be some kind of scapegoat for the errors we may make in life.

Hello, Shortandcute,

Bipolar illness can be inherited and sometimes there will be others in the family line
who have bipolar illness, too: aunts, uncles, cousins. It can occur in that way.

It may pop up as part of the result of traumatic stress syndrome or other trauma in life.

To see it as a deep sin is something that occurs in people who have not been well educated in the realm of science or medicine or the arts or spiritual training or almost any field you want to name. It's a theory that is based on ignorance, Short and Cute, and you should never feel that sin in life is the cause of illness, though it can have physiological and psychological effects in some people. For those with severe consciences, it may be troublesome. For those who have no conscience, sin means nothing.

There's no question that bipolar illness can play havoc with the emotions; in fact, it is an illness of moods, not an intellectual disorder.

You may want to read more about it to learn how it is diagnosed, how it is medicated, and how it is treated. Some of the best of the spiritual writers will tell you, however, that meditation, reading good (and I mean good) books on the subject of peace and calmness and having guidance in healing can be very helpful.

As you learn about it, you will become more and more able to manage the illness until one day you find yourself taking only a minimum amount of medication and living a content, if not happy, life.

Take care of yourself first; that's an important step.

Good wishes.

No... just no Try not to add unnecessary worries to your life.

i don't know but a goods question for religions people maybe i think? i know that some could maybe that think yes about this. in france too

Sin is defined in the dictionary as "An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law." Since "immoral" is subjective and poorly defined, "considered" is soft and nebulous and subjective as well, and "divine law" means either nothing for some people or a variety of different things for other people, and even if you agree with a certain set of people on what "divine law" means to you within that set of people, you would still disagree on what would constitute a transgression of said divine law, any discussion of "sin" in connection with mental illness is doomed from the start.

It is not sufficiently clear that we need a whole thread on it?

People who say that are ignorant of even the basics of science. The answer is just plain NO.

Sin is a religious construct. It has nothing to do with illness. I am a Christian, seminary trained, was clergy for many years. I can go into this idea in more detail, but I don't want to trigger anyone who is reading. The bottom line is still just plain NO, mental illness isn't about sin.

No no no and no.

even if it was what would be the benefit because indigo plus stupidest burro is the way out religious reductios these days

Huh? *scratching head*

Mental illness is a biochemical and/or genetic disorder. You're comparing apples and oranges. That would be something a televangelist would believe. Televangelists can twist anything to make you believe it's spiritual-related or religious-based.

Ask your psychiatrist that question and see what he says. He will explain it in correct terms.

People who believe in sin are generally morons.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh. I've had a horrible time growing up with religious individuals and I hate just about everything about those fairy tales.

Ya know it's interesting: later after I posted the ?????, I remembered that a lot of these preachers/evangalists who I've heard claiming that, were often running around on their spouses--including with members of their own congregation, or they were molesting children and committing some of these very "sins" that they were accusing other people of.

Mental illness has multiple causes beyond biochemical and genetic but good point about teleevangelissts. Another reason not to have a tv.

That is probably a rule rather than an exception.

In general, basic politeness should preclude people from making such accusations.

I don't believe sin is always to blame for mental illness. Chemical imbalance in the brain can also cause mental illness. Relocation to another country/culture can cause depression - mental illness. Postpartum depression is due to hormonal changes in a woman's body. Trauma such as accidents may cause brain damage leading to an altered life style and depression. Never paint a broad subject with the same brush.

Nick Baines, in his blog, writes about Leonard Cohen, "There is a point early in the London gig when he recites the names of many of the drugs he has taken over the years (some for medicinal purposes). Then he says this: ‘I’ve also studied deeply in the philosophies and religions, but cheerfulness kept breaking through"

I am a Christian myself and I have to say that I am appalled when preachers (or the likes) say that sin is the cause of mental illness. Sad to say, I have come across that myself with some of the groups I've gone to. When that happens, I just leave it. And I come to find that they are not really right with God.

There are many stories in the Bible about those with depression. Job, David, Elija, and others that I can not think of now.

I remembered that just before last Christmas, someone had posted a video on here of a preacher saying that sin is responsible for depression. I don't know if you remember that. I stated my objection to that.

Will19, I am sure that your leaving such groups is the right reaction because reasoning with their members is pointless aand a waste of your time.

That attitude gets me royally po'ed. It is so backward thinking. I am a Christian and look at it as a brain chemistry problem. It is like blaming the victim and makes it sound like if you be good, you will be healed.. so wrong on so many levels.

Dx: Depression in 1991, currently on Paxil and Wellbutrin. Trazadone and Klonopin for sleep. Have been on Synthyroid for 1.5 weeks and I feel better than I have ever felt in decades.

The folks who say sin is to blame are making heavy judgement. I have depression. Who are they to look down their noses at us? They are standing on a high horse. Saying we suffer because we sin is dangerous and hurtful. They are kicking us when we are down. I think maybe we have something to learn from our affliction, but it is not because you are bad. I am trying to be kinder to myself. I regularly feel bad about slacking in life and not volunteering more. I try to tell myself that I am a decent person. These people saying such a horrible thing make me quite angry. They are wrong.

That is probably one of the more ridiculous things I have heard.