Why is the Christian faith full of so many mentally ill people?

Question

I am struggling with this question lately, and I am a Christian myself. It seems to be that so many people who claim to believe in God, or at least claim to be Christians, tend to have mental illness or fanatical, cult-like lifestyles or POVs. Not just here on GaG, but I've seen them on other platforms, and I've met quite a lot in real life. They often think they're being watched or stalked, or believe people have already taken the mark of the Beast.

I know there are going to be many unbelievers/atheists who say the reason is because the Bible is garbage, it was written by men, God isn't real, etc. but that answer isn't satisfactory either. Because how can you attack God or the Bible for the things men do who claim to follow him, but have nothing to do with him? God never told Catholics to go persecute non-believers throughout Europe or to try to take back the Holy Land. And God never told Christian nationalists to go out in the streets protesting against gays or to go blow up an abortion clinic.

Although I'm open to answers from non-believers, I would like some insight from other level-headed Christians who are also on GaG. What is the reason for so many mentally ill or fanatical people who claim to be Christian? What is at the root of this?

Why is the Christian faith full of so many mentally ill people?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

This is complex. However as a Christian myself (and admittedly a very flawed one) here are a few observations I noticed:

1. Sociopaths will take on identities that best serve them in certain environments.

For a long time in western cultures it was considered societally respectable to identify as a Christian whether you believed or not. People would go to church on Sundays just for social optics.

Unfortunately sociopaths do exist and they would identify as “Christian” to their advantage given the situation. Think of Warden Norton in the Shawshank redemption. Back in the 30s to 60s it was considered societally respectable to say “you are Christian” and he used that completely for his facade despite being heinously corrupt and evil.

There are fewer of these people nowadays. Now what’s societally “celebrated” is acting woke and progressive. But you are seeing the same sociopathic hyprocrisy with the liberal elites. They say bad things about capitalism yet get rich through capitalism (Bernie Sanders becoming a millionaire by publishing a book on socialism was absolutely iconic). They say “defund the police” when they live in gated neighborhoods with private security. Sociopaths will be chameleons for optics.

2. People seek out Christianity because they know they are flawed.

I definitely fall into this category. People know they are screwed up but are seeking a higher power to help guide their lives straight. For example I am compulsive gambler. I know if it wasn’t for the help of God and my Christian friends I would have never of quit. I have been clean for almost a year now.

There really is something about the power of faith and what is written in the Bible. It sounds like foolishness for people with the wrong mindset. But I’ve even heard a few (respectful) atheists admit that most religious organizations really do try to help people.

Also there are plenty of examples in the Bible where God choose the stupid, weak or even once very evil people to repent and serve him. Apostle Paul was once literally a terrorist. He persecuted and murdered early Christians. But Jesus revealed himself to Paul and asked him “why do you persecute me”. Paul completely repented and turned out to be the hardest working most zealous apostle of all time. He wrote 2/3rds is the New Testament. God has a sense of irony to get through to people.

3. The devil comes after Christian’s harder than anyone else.

The devil really doesn’t care about people he already has strung up in his game. But unfortunately when people repent and try to follow Christ then Satan often takes notice and tries to take them down. Think of the story of Job. God allowed the devil to torment Job to test Job’s faith.

This is by far one of the most difficult things about being a Christian. I sometimes notice when I am walking firmly with God then people out of nowhere will try to attack me. It’s really the demons in them getting agitated.

For example a few years ago I went out and volunteered with the homeless. I had a good day praying with them. Felt relevant and right with God. I then went into Subway afterwards because I was starving (didn’t eat all morning)

This was in 2018 and two knuckleheads walked into subway screaming leftist hate tropes and trying to cause a ruckus. They were talking about how they wish North Korea would nuke Texas (where I was born). It took every once of energy not to go kick their asses (I’m a former pro mma fighter by the way). But I was hungry too and just wanted my sandwich. If one of them laid a hand on me then it would of been lights out

But I realize in that moment that was Satan trying to get under my skin. Jesus said not to “resist an evil person”. That doesn’t mean be a pushover. If one of them touched me it would have been lights out for them.

But I know if I got physical I would have gotten arrested, charged, etc. That would have directly contradicted what i was trying to do via my peace mission. I just got done volunteering and was even wearing a volunteering tshirt. But again that was the devil at work in that moment.

So I dunno if that answers your question or not. But just my observations.

ShadezMcgee · Accepted Answer

Well, born and raised Catholic here, I will try to answer this question as best I can with an opinion I believe can offer some insight.

I feel that Chrstianity as a whole stands as an open door to those who wish to be good, have good morals or want to serve a higher calling (God). It isn't seen as one that bars people who seek it out (depends on the church and views. Some refuse lgbtq, non believers, etc) but for the most part it comes across as appealing because it uses salvation as a way to be saved and forgiven for one's wrong doings so long as they exchange it to love and serve Him.

When it comes to the mentally ill they already have it rough to a degree, especially in a society that either romanticizes it or demonizes it on social media and other media platforms. Those with mental illness that aren't seeking help or have any supportive people to go to or help them will seek comfort with each other or a place where they feel heard and understood. Ergo, they come across religion, the one place that won't shun them, especially if they are made in "God's Image" like everyone else. It draws them in that they will be accepted regardless of their mental issues.

In a way it sounds great, but those that really need medical help can be seen as trading one extreme for another. They may be able to suppress the mental issues by preaching the word of God from the Bible or seeing meaning in scripture that to be fair is interpreted very differently between people. Hidden messages in the text is what is claimed by a lot of people in religion. Does that mean they are mentally ill? No. It is just their perception. However it just perpetuates some illnesses under the blanket we can call religious fanaticism. Can't be seen for having a specific mental illness when preaching the teachings of something that is heavily debated or seen as accepted in society.

I have come across a user or two on the site here that used God and religion as a way to talk about everything going on in their lives that either he would have no direct involvement in or would be used as a shield for behavior that was asinine. Needless to say it resulted in a block when God wasn't even brought in the conversation at all, it just revolved around inconsistencies and lack of proof regarding being stalked that I pointed out made no sense.

Back on track here though. I believe that religion gets used as a medium to enable behaviors of those that really need mental health help or they do it because it is a place where they can feel accepted and not judged if they are following a belief that offers forgiveness and acceptance to those who seek it.

Sleeper07 · Answer

Pious people believe their bibles word for word because it helps them get through life; it is simply a system of faith that God will take care of them or is watching over them.

The stories in the bible often have the interpretations of how to navigate life, and for a lot of people it has helped them find meaning in their existence through the lessons being portrayed within the bible.

For instance, it is believed that God is that spirit which calls upon you to make the greatest sacrifice, in order to embark on a meaningful endeavor that will break you out into greatness. The story of Jesus embodies how one must always live truthfully with accordance to what they believe in.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/oZe0Xcivbzw

That is if you don't believe that hell exists, then I would also agree that you would be wrong, because the reality is that hell is all mental. When social anxiety hits you while you're approaching a good looking girl, that's you being placed in a hell of your creation. When you have that inner voice inside you telling you to avoid confrontation because xyz, and then you fail to act as you would've liked to, as you should've done, then that means you are in hell.

I personally don't believe that everything in the bible alone is ethical, for instance when John the Baptist was imprisoned, Jesus had every chance to take action and free his friend, but he chose to do nothing and had one of his followers send him some food until his head was chopped off. Nonetheless the story of John the Baptist presents how one shouldn't succumb to the illusion of pussy and simp.

I personally do believe there is a God. I also do believe the latter of which I spoke where he is a spirit that calls you to embark on something greater. I do not however, subscribe to Christianity, that is I don't pray, I don't think depicting the martyr of Jesus is in any way beautiful even as a statue. I also don't put my faith in God himself.

There was an Islamic person who brought up an excellent point, in that in the ingenuity of man and his creations, and how far we have come in techonological advancement, some mind had to create what we have, from computers and everything. Ironically enough, everything is constructed in a form that is reflective of something with mechanical complexity. Someone had to put all of that in order. And despite not knowing what Nitrogen even was in the year 0, we are in fact as human beings mechanical compositions of the same elements found in dirt (soil), even stardust, yes believe it or not we are made from the very same thing that the Milky Way galaxy is.

In much the same way everything in earth has a mechanical complexity to it; someone had to create that complexity, from the way an electron moves in an atom, to how a mother will breast feed her child, and nurture it with love. That to me is all God's doing, even evolution. Even baby snakes are born with the instinct to kill.

But I do agree with what you said, in that people try to attach their lives towards a false subscription to the idea that everything is the bible, and that the idea of hell is evil. They demonize sex, which is predominantly responsible for the harsh backlash from women through feminism.

It's my firm belief that we should all strive to live closer with our natural instincts and desires, to live a fulfilling life, that way you can be true to what you actually value instead of some cultist belief or system like marriage.

normalice · Answer

Being a well rounded civilized person is not instinctive. It takes work. And the whole point of religion was to avoid the need for mental work at a time when humanity didn't have the tools it needed to do that work. It was a LARP people pretended was real because reality was too confusing and unforgiving. It created order and forgiveness people could believe in.

But now we do have the tools to cope with reality so not only do we have to deal with all the people who haven't done the work to learn how to use those tools, but also those who went in the opposite direction and are deeply insecure about the ever increasing hints that it might have been the wrong direction. Every religious authority figure caught raping kids. Every religious authority caught scamming their congregation. Every non-religious persons condecension.. it all weighs on people who just want to be saved from responsibilites of their own free will and they cling more frantically instead of prepare themselves to accept that responsibility. I do think our species is about to abandon religion in general, though. Might be 100 years. Or, maybe far right religious people will continue to take over governments around the world and set us back to the dark ages. Who knows..

spg12212122 · Answer

It's all about pain, emotion, and self-importance the bible mentions, that evil came into the world out of pride and questioning our self-importance. We cannot escape pain and ask ourselves what our relationship with the universe is, whether we are simply meaningless, or whether God is too powerful to be gentle and forgiving.

Most of us know God wants us to come as we are, and that we all are inferior compared to him so many are afraid of what he might think. So we assume archetypes that give us a sense of power and direction and importance. It's the striving for meaning in our life using a supernatural allegory of the true balance of justice and good and evil in the world it all makes sense no matter how bizarre. That the world gives us a sense of pain and unfairness and these archetypes have a sense of righteousness to be superior to that pain and powerful enough to intervene in our suffering and stop us from hurting.

It distorts our essence such as our main skills and nature such as our values imposing another value system on our own that may not align with our nature or essence.

Robbey · Answer

I think illness/wellness, dysfunction etc. among Christians (and I am a committed Christian) is largely reflective of the society/culture in which Christians. So, in assuming that you're actually just asking about American Christians, then the answer lies in why is mental illness so pervasive in the USA. And the answer to that is too complex and multifaceted to answer properly on a social media platform. However, I do suspect that the problem is ultimately a consequence of a culture that has largely come unglued in the last 75 years or so.

AMS700CX4u2 · Answer

Sometimes people who are socially inept will seek out a group of people whose doctrine is treated as though it is chiseled in stone. They don't consider that the point of the christian faith is forgiveness. None of us deserve our salvation. They have usually been chastised for things beyond their control. They feel that the bible is about absolutes. If that were so, the story would have ended before Deuteronomy. It really disturbs me that many of the hymns of the early 20 th century treat the concept of a peaceful mission as war. Nuff said. It is rampant in today's church.

MementoMori777 · Answer

There's fake Christians, I actually believe a majority of Christians are fake, they lack the connection with God and just use the Bible for their own benefit, they twist the words, there's a difference between not understanding it and completely twisting it, nowhere in the Bible does it mention that for example people that are sexually confused go to hell because of that reason, or that because you sinned once that you'll go to hell, they seem to completely throw out the part that God loves them which contradicts their twisted version of God's words, the problem is that God's words are filtered through human minds and that's where it all starts to get confusing to certain people.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

Have you seen Muslims go boom in the last 10 years? What about these non-theistic cult members of being woke? Every group has their crazies. So you're Christian... big deal. I have them lining up across the street at the abortion clinic to kneel and pray every day for those aborted babies every day for the last 3 years. It takes the better part of me not to go up to them and tell them they might be wasting their time.

I say have your faith, but don't waste your time doing stupid shit with it.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

This stems from following what men say and teach rather than following what the Bible actually teaches.

The Bible clearly talks about this 1 Timothy and 2 Peter.

1 Timothy 4:1-5

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with Thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with Thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

PointTaken · Answer

From what I've seen, they follow one guy who gives his perspective of the Bible. He can use one line and turn to mean something completely different and they go by it. If you go to church, the people there will love you and tell you to treat everyone with love respect them. Once you leave, you're dead to them.

XHopelessRomanticX · Answer

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a true Christian. And not everyone who claims to do something for Christ does so out of love for Christ. But we need to remember; humans are sinful by nature, and Christians are not the exception. Christians still struggle with sin, anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Many of the cult leaders you hear about are people who believe they are incapable of sinning.

God is greater than the sins of mankind, and God is capable of using some of the worst moments in history to bring about good. One good thing that happened from the crusades was bringing back the Greek Bible, which indirectly sparked the Protestant Reformation; which helped bring Christianity to the United States, and even pointed out some of the things within the Catholic Church that were not good (such as simony and views regarding salvation)

Anonymous · Answer

I don't know if I'd call the mentally ill.😆 I'd say it's man's arrogance. God's word is perfect but man is not so naturally he'll get it wrong sometimes. This is why it so important to talk to God

I was saved over 20 years. Ago and I remember my understanding of my faith then vs. now. I try to remind myself we're all imperfect people. I try to keep it simple. God says "ask and it will be revealed to you". Which means I can ask ANY question and God WILL answer me. But where we go wrong sometimes is not understanding that DOESN'T mean it'll be in OUR desired timeline or necessarily in the WAY we expect. And I also if you're not doing it from a position of love. Then you're doing it wrong.

Lionman95 · Answer

I think it´s a problem of society in general. Many people nowadays are mentally ill. I think the problem that Christianity is especially attractive for many of them since churches have a hard time setting boundaries and red lines. Jesus said he came to save sinners and come to the ill people not the rightous, so many churches try to avoid setting boundaries to obey that command and try to help exactly those people while not realising they get them a platform that way.

RealMarek · Answer

The reason is the same as why so many non-believers and (especially) “woke” adherents are mentally ill: Western culture is in terminal and catastrophic decline, as witnessed by its collapsing fertility, the bankruptcy of its fine arts, and even the recycling of old plot lines and sequel after sequel in its movies. This sort of thing has happened before and Christians are not immune to the maladies of their culture. Augustine understood as much, writing during the collapse of the Greco-Roman culture.

LordOfThePines · Answer

I think it is for several reasons. Firstly, priests and especially evangelical preachers deliberately preach to the gullible and those primed to believe outlandish claims. Secondly, christians tend to demonize mental illness as well, demonic influence, so it is to be treated with prayer and god as opposed to therapy and medication. Thirdly, they are primed to believe that they are made perfect as they are by god, so what need is there to fix it? Lastly, it can at minimum, be because most humans have some form of mental illness.

Berethor · Answer

What you talk about? death penalty for gays is right from the bible, it more than protesting.

Daniela1982 · Answer

Not all who call themselves Christians are. Some think they can do anything they want because they are saved. But without repentance all their faith is futile.

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

sage2021 · Answer

I think you're describing the democrats - they act pretty crazy. I am a Christian woman, and it's not the Christian's that appear mentally - it's definitely the democrats. They HATE Christians because they are evil! Remember, thus us a spiritual warfare we are living through.

jshm2 · Answer

That fuck all to do with belief, kiddo.

It's like saying "why are so many cops no better than petty criminals?" Their job is little to do with their personality and their behaviours. If anything, their behaviours and personalities are masked by the job.

Also. Most Christians aren't Christian. They just give lip service.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Because the Church is welcoming to all, and they say come to Jesus if you are broken. So the broken people come. Lol

bamesjond0069 · Answer

"And God never told Christian nationalists to go out in the streets protesting against gays..."

Hmm I wonder what he did say about gays? Gee willakers golly gee, maybe in the Bible it says... nah couldn't be.

The church is filled with mentally disturbed individuals. Like ones who read the Bible and then disregard what it says. They like to do it about gays especially. God is very clear about gays.

Why is the Christian faith full of so many mentally ill people?

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