Banned by HWA! recently posted a piece about the Philadelphia Church of God's views on depression. According to the PCG, it's all about breaking God's law and Satan's influence.
As someone who has struggled with depression for years, I can tell you with great confidence that such a view is simplistic and wrongheaded. Some of the greatest men in history have been plagued by depression (e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, FDR, Churchill, etc.) In fact, their efforts to outrun/suppress/defeat their depression are regarded by most of the folks who have studied their lives as being key to whatever success we attribute to them. In other words, depression is a much more complex phenomenon than the PCG's take on it would suggest.
According to the folks over at WebMD, the major causes of depression are:
"Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can increase the vulnerability to clinical depression later in life.
Certain medications. Some drugs, such as isotretinoin (used to treat acne), the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression.
Conflict. Depression in someone who has the biological vulnerability to develop depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, may increase the risk of depression.
Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex trait, meaning that there are probably many different genes that each exert small effects, rather than a single gene that contributes to disease risk. The genetics of depression, like most psychiatric disorders, are not as simple or straightforward as in purely genetic diseases such as Huntington's chorea or cystic fibrosis.
Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. However, the syndrome of clinical depression is never just a "normal" response to stressful life events.
Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can contribute to the risk of developing clinical depression.
Serious illnesses. Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition.
Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression."
--https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression#1
In other words, while I'm not going to dispute the assertion that SOME depression may be attributable to law breaking and/or Satan, it is ridiculous to suggest that all of it (or maybe even the biggest part of it) is attributable to those two things. What about a biological predisposition for depression? What about sadness/grief over death/loss? What about mental illness? What about events beyond our control? What about suffering abuse at the hands of someone else? What about being disfellowshipped or shunned by a cult?
I remember reading somewhere that God doesn't despise a broken and contrite heart, and that those who mourn will be comforted. I also seem to remember the Apostle Paul telling us not to mourn in the same fashion as folks who are not Christians (not that we shouldn't mourn/grieve - just not in the same way!). I seem to recall Jesus Christ telling his followers that not everything bad that happens is the consequence of someone sinning - that there is something called time and chance (sometimes towers collapse, tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes arise).
No, depression is a very HUMAN phenomenon, and it is not all attributable to Satan and sinning. And, by the way, how does reducing the phenomenon to those causes help anyone who is suffering from the phenomenon? It doesn't do anything for me!
It seems to me that the more appropriate course of action for anyone claiming to be a Christian is one of empathy, compassion and love. Shouldn't we be strengthening the hands that are weak and comforting the brokenhearted? Why were we instructed to look after the fatherless and the widows?Why were we instructed to provide for those in need and minister to those in prison? What do you think?
As someone who has struggled with depression for years, I can tell you with great confidence that such a view is simplistic and wrongheaded. Some of the greatest men in history have been plagued by depression (e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, FDR, Churchill, etc.) In fact, their efforts to outrun/suppress/defeat their depression are regarded by most of the folks who have studied their lives as being key to whatever success we attribute to them. In other words, depression is a much more complex phenomenon than the PCG's take on it would suggest.
According to the folks over at WebMD, the major causes of depression are:
"Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can increase the vulnerability to clinical depression later in life.
Certain medications. Some drugs, such as isotretinoin (used to treat acne), the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can increase your risk of depression.
Conflict. Depression in someone who has the biological vulnerability to develop depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, may increase the risk of depression.
Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex trait, meaning that there are probably many different genes that each exert small effects, rather than a single gene that contributes to disease risk. The genetics of depression, like most psychiatric disorders, are not as simple or straightforward as in purely genetic diseases such as Huntington's chorea or cystic fibrosis.
Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. However, the syndrome of clinical depression is never just a "normal" response to stressful life events.
Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can contribute to the risk of developing clinical depression.
Serious illnesses. Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition.
Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression."
--https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression#1
In other words, while I'm not going to dispute the assertion that SOME depression may be attributable to law breaking and/or Satan, it is ridiculous to suggest that all of it (or maybe even the biggest part of it) is attributable to those two things. What about a biological predisposition for depression? What about sadness/grief over death/loss? What about mental illness? What about events beyond our control? What about suffering abuse at the hands of someone else? What about being disfellowshipped or shunned by a cult?
I remember reading somewhere that God doesn't despise a broken and contrite heart, and that those who mourn will be comforted. I also seem to remember the Apostle Paul telling us not to mourn in the same fashion as folks who are not Christians (not that we shouldn't mourn/grieve - just not in the same way!). I seem to recall Jesus Christ telling his followers that not everything bad that happens is the consequence of someone sinning - that there is something called time and chance (sometimes towers collapse, tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes arise).
No, depression is a very HUMAN phenomenon, and it is not all attributable to Satan and sinning. And, by the way, how does reducing the phenomenon to those causes help anyone who is suffering from the phenomenon? It doesn't do anything for me!
It seems to me that the more appropriate course of action for anyone claiming to be a Christian is one of empathy, compassion and love. Shouldn't we be strengthening the hands that are weak and comforting the brokenhearted? Why were we instructed to look after the fatherless and the widows?Why were we instructed to provide for those in need and minister to those in prison? What do you think?
Back in the early days of the old Painful Truth Forum, we discussed this. While depression is not unknown to the general population of humanity, I believe that depression and its companion, paranoia, are significantly more prevalent amongst members of the Armstrong movement. How could they not be?
ReplyDeleteAs I observed during the early days of the new millennium, inherent in the process leading up to an Armstrong conversion is the downgrading or elimination of all things pleasurable or hope-inducing about the current world in which we live. These are supplanted by the new “realities” of Armstrongism. Everything around you, including your unconverted colleagues, friends and family will soon be destroyed (first in 1972-75, and thereafter constantly resetting at 3-5 years). All new styles and activities which might be fun are of the devil (at least until the styles begin showing up at Goodwill instead of expensive department stores). Authoritarianism, harsh judgmental powerful members of the ministry suddenly swooping down to invade what you had previously known to be your privacy, and to enforce their will upon all members, and teaching the membership that that is also God’s M.O., leads to paranoia which spills into all aspects of members’ lives. This is a very strong and lasting pathology amongst members’ offspring who were cruelly raised under the principles of the childrearing booklet. Even in its mildest application, it taught that love is conditional, and that the emotional needs of members and children are inconsequential, and to be suppressed as opposed to being recognized and met.
People might say, “Why BB, what you say is simply untrue! Unlike the Baptists, SDAs, and Mormons, at least we got to continue drinking alcohol!” However, in certain personality types, that of itself can lead to depression, and personality change towards the cruel end of the behavioral scale.
Even when people leave Armstrongism, there are established habit and thought patterns which have been part of daily existence for years or decades. These are often not subject to rapid rehabilitation or recovery. The worst characteristics often smolder silently like an asymptomatic viral or bacterial infection. The less observant, the people who do not take regular personal introspection, may not realize the extent ot the damage until something similar to hep C destruction of their liver, or akin to the mind destruction of tertiary syphilis has taken its toll. There are continuing fruits of Armstrongism, they are not good, and they are not OK.
However, the news is not all bad. Being on a recovery path improves our plights. It may not immediately take us to the state in which we might have been if Armstrongism had never been introduced into our lives, but at least we’re now on a better course, with a set of better and more positive goals.
Armstrongism has been sarcastically described as being the gift that keeps on giving, and that pithy little saying is much more accurate than most realize. It’s overwhelming sometimes to contemplate the full extent. It’s why Jesus was especially harsh with the Pharisees, and warned against their leavening.
BB
If depression was solely in consequence of breaking God's law, then why is there more depression in some age groups then others? Are some ages more inclined to sin? In the same way that anxiety is about the future, depression is about the past. It is a function of sorrow. Jesus wept. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. But he didn't sin.
ReplyDeleteAs to depression in the Armstrong movement, yeah, if you were there and you didn't think about God instead of prophecy, then I can see it could have been a problem for you. Or if you thought more about what the minister said about you than you did about what God says about you, then it could have been a problem. People need to learn that thoughts trigger emotions. If you want to feel differently, then THINK differently. Phil. 4:8 is a good place to start.
Hey!! Thanks for the post. Mental health disorder like depression really ruin your life completely. I know this because I gonna through this horrible state of mind. To over come the depression I searched for the best Counselling in Chelsea. Finally, I get rid of it. Hey! you have shared really a great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and helping others.
DeleteHey!! Thanks for the post. In reality depression is not a disease but it is mental state that makes a person to feel isolated from society and experience no interest in social and personal life. But Psychotherapy in West London really help me a lot to get out of my depression issues.
ReplyDeleteI realize that this is an old thread but as someone who has suffered depression I wanted to chime in.
ReplyDeleteIt irritates me every time a speaker gives a sermon on depression for they haven't a clue unless they've suffered it and looked into the many causes.
Is depression caused by sin? Yes, but that is too simplistic an answer. I've found that the biggest reason for depression is a chemical imbalance in the body. In my case the culprit is a low vitamin D level.
Why is that sin? Because in the food industries greed our foodstuff now lacks sufficient vitamins and minerals that our bodies need.
Do I play a part in that sin? Yes, in part. The desire to buy the lowest priced foods is part of the problem.
I've learned that getting my vitamin D levels up from 32ng/mL to above 80ng/mL that my depression symptoms are greatly improved.
I'm sure that low vitamin D isn't the only cause of our many ills, but a deficiency in any vitamin or mineral can have great impact on our body's fragile chemical levels.