Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
If not kept in check, they will do that. The battle really is not doctrinal, or even religious validity, but which law do we follow - secular or religious?
Proverbs 17:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
The Pastor had gone into detail explaining the verse Proverbs 17:22. While explaining the verse, he showed an illustration on a screen of a full medicine cabinet with all sorts of medicine. As I was listening to the sermon, he went on talking about how all the answers is in the Bible to heal us and taking medicine when feeling unwell isn't necessary. The Pastor went on saying medicine is a waste of money and for us to follow God's word in the Bible when feeling any "negative" emotion like sadness, depression, worry, fear, anger etc.
I really despise it when any Pastor mix Mental Health and Spiritual Health. A close family member of mine had committed suicide years ago. She had been struggling with depression and schizophrenia for a few years. I know she did believe in God. Her mind was unhealthy and whatever she was going through, no word in the Bible could help her.
I do think Pastors need to be more sensitive when it comes to mental health issues. While I do think the Bible can do wonders to our spiritual health and well-being. it's not a cure-all. Sometimes, people need help from a licensed professional.
After the sermon, I talked to him a few minutes privately. I told him that I take medicine under Doctor's orders because of a health condition. At first he said, talk to your doctor to see if the dosage can be reduced or eliminated. I was like, um, no that can't be done with the health condition I have. I can become seriously ill from an infection. Then he was like follow doctor's orders and do what they say.
Then I brought up an example of some people having to take medicine because of diabetes. He had the nerve to say it's because people eat the wrong food. After the Pastor said that, I just couldn't deal with his ignorance any more and I walked away from the conversation
While it's true to some extent that diabetes is caused by eating unhealthy, there's other reasons as well.
God has put health care professionals on Earth to help us. Taking medicine under Dr. orders and following directions on OTC medicines when feeling unwell isn't a "sin" in my opinion.
He was wrong to teach that, and is flirting with disaster. If you are under doctor's orders, listen to the doc. That pastor has no business telling you to stop taking prescribed medication.
Having said that, I do believe that sometimes medications are over-prescribed. But it's not up to him to make a blanket statement. God does not consider your medication to be sin or a lack of faith.
Well -said. I may even agree with you about over - prescription. But a preacher, especially one not trained in medicine, should keep his nose out of it.
Im not sure about this, I can certainly understand where that preacher is coming from, but I also recognize the argument of the opposition.
I think its become extremely difficult, if not impossible to determine whether evil is being disguised as good or vice versa, I do not think its a coincidence though that modern life is like this, in order for a deception to effectively trick majority of people, its going to have to be very very good/ convincing.
Many people say not to trust preachers when it comes to what medicine you should or should not take, but look at society today, many people now trust law enforcement to determine if someone is taking or being given 'too much' medicine. They are trying to demonize a certain group of drugs only due to the fact that a small percentage of users choose to abuse them...that sounds pretty familiar doesnt it?!!
No. On first sight it doesn't. An area for discussion, but the differences are that the law is based on evidence (in theory) and comes from the best information that science provide, and science has shown itself a better modeller of rerality than religion.
So, given that it's always a 'best we can do' method, and the views of society, law and science can evolve, it is always going to be better than pronouncements supposed to be accepted because of religious faith and not only without any medical validation but in spite of it.
It's not going to happen for a while - maybe not ever, but I have a short list of people who will be given a three strikes option - deliver or shut up, Fine, and Jail. in that order.
Dangerous advice. That way of thinking cost me years.
Same here. I suffered for 10 horrendous years because of dangerous, ignorant, arrogant teachings like this. Once I finally realized my church was dead wrong about using bible verses vs using necessary medications, I started wondering what else they were wrong about. That led to my complete disbelief in the bible and the christian faith, and after a difficult transition period (of feeling certain I would go to hell for no longer believing), I ended up a very happy, open-minded, free-thinking agnostic.
"Pastors" like OP described absolutely make my blood boil, and my heart break for all the lives being ruined.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
That way of thinking cost me years.
