I am sad to be writing this post about a problem still happening after thirty years of absolute offensive ignorance from many church leaders, but here it is. There is a common theory about mental illness and depression which suggests that our brains are like a sensor, and a breakdown is from bad living. In fact, the idea is that the low moods expose a sinful lifestyle of some sort, and possibly the person with the depression deserves to feel bad.
It is utterly ridiculous and I was shocked to hear it from an actual doctor who presents at a well known intellectual program that I myself have enjoyed listening to sometimes. But there is no excuse for peddling those lies that perpetuate the blame and cruelty to those who have medical conditions. It would be a tragedy even if mental health resources that refuted it weren't abundant in our country and world. But the science has been very successful in helping some people, as well as a whole dignified profession of people who actually cared.
Mistakes like these broaden the divide between people who participate in mainstream, secular society and the fellowship of the church. It makes congregations who are taught these lies turn into cult-like, out-of-touch dens of religious freaks who wear koolats and drink even worse kool-aid together.
And that's not to mention the suffering of those with anxiety, depression, or even worse, the psychosis conditions that cause people to depend on imperfect medicine for their whole lives. The challenge of mental illness is overwhelming, and no one can afford for the church people to be even more deluded.
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