My last post on Catholic Forums..psychological/spiritual and apologetics

[grotto]

Dear Reen12 - I’ll just wait here for you to return - its okay to leave when you know you have people who care about you that will be glad to hear from you again! After you get down the road and it dawns on you - you will want to return as fast as you can to share your loving thoughts, hopes and strengths!

 

[reen12]

Hi, shannin,

Thanks for your reply to my original post.
Please note that I used “some”:

“The “phlogiston” theory of our own day, I believe,
is to treat some psychological difficulties as if
these are generated by spiritual difficulties.” quote reen12

Take the example of Judas. I tentatively put forward
the thought that what the man needed was to repent,
not seek help for a mental illness.

A person burden by substantial sin and the guilt
that is generated by same and feels “down” about
it, would probably benefit from reconciliation and
communion. But that is totally different from
“clinical depression.”

A person with mental illness would surely benefit
from receiving the Sacrament of the Sick.

In some cases of mental disorder, I think prayer and
the sacraments can be particularly of benefit:
anxiety disorders, for example. But with, say,
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, with religious
features, * than are dreamt
of in [non-disordered minds."]
as in: “There are more things in life than are
dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio.”

Why do I feel like I’m calling across a great
distance?

reen12*

 

[reen12]

Dear Shinobu,

Thank you for your kind reply to my post. One
of the forum members, NightRider, helped me a
lot, so at the end of this thread, I’m gonna take
a rest and later return refreshed.

That’s grand that you’ve only had one panic
attack in the last 2 years, Shinobu. I’ve
only had about 3 over the last 10 years, and
I know how dreadful they can be. Praise God
for His mercy to you.

Be well, OK?
Maureen [reen12]

 

[reen12]

Hello, Catholic Tom,

Thank you for your kind words. You’re right, I’ve
got to somehow learn how not to take stuff
personally.
I don’t know as what I write is deep, but it is
sometimes complex. I’m going to finish this
thread, take a rest, and then come back.

Bless your heart, Catholic Tom,
reen12

 

[reen12]

Dear grotto,

Well I’m glad to know that I’ll have others who
look forward to my resuming posting after a rest!
God smile on you, grotto,
Maureen [reen12]

 

[Philthy]

reen12:

A postscript,

Someone who loves and cares about me cautioned
me to consider not posting to these forums, for fear
that it would cause me hurt. That person was right.

reen

Hi reen-

I’m an eye doctor. I have had many patients tell me that they trust God to heal their eyes and have resisted some simple treatments (drops) which I’ve prescribed. I found this difficult to respond to at first since I was basically attacking their relationship with God. But then I realized that it was entirely illogical for them to believe that my talents and the combined talents of others (which resulted in medicines) are not the gifts of healing from God that they desire.

It was nice of you to reach out to others with your talent of articulation and your knowledge of psychological disunctions. I think the advice you got from the friend above was good advice. I don’t have any significant psychologica/emotional challenges(just a little SAD) and I still find that I need to keep my distance from posting too much. As much as you will be missed, do what you need to do to keep yourself healthy. If your situation changes in the future and you’re more comfortable posting OCCASIONALLY great, but don’t get overinvolved, and stay out of the apologetics and non-catholic forums. I wish you well. Spring time is the perfect time for you to have made this decision for a new start.

Phil

 

[junglesplash]

To give up the catholic faith is to bring trouble into your life my freind.

Please think seriously about what you are doing

Peace

reen12:

I’ve been reading some threads dealing with
persons having psychological difficulties within
the faith.

How about this analogy?

150 years ago, a physical disease was overtaking
one village and town after another. The leading
lights of the day came up with the theory of
“phlogiston”, a substance that they postulated
caused the disease. Their solution?
The city fathers set out smudge-pots around the
city to try to ward off this physical threat.

Years later, when the microbic theory of disease
was formulated, genuine progress was made.

The parallel? Researchers today are looking into
brain structure, chemical messengers called
neurotransmitters and a host of other factors
that may generate psychological difficulties…independent
of a person’s religious beliefs or lack thereof.

The “phlogiston” theory of our own day, I believe,
is to treat some psychological difficulties as if
these are generated by spiritual difficulties.

It’s as if Fulton Sheen were still on TV,
and severe scrupulosity was considered a pastoral problem.
It’s not 1955. It’s 2005. Treat the medical problem
first…or even concurrently…with spiritual solutions.

To do anything less, to me, is a form of blaming
the victim, based on, I’m sorry to say, sheer
ignorance of medical realities. *

There’s a ready made religion for those who think
prayer alone and trust in God is the solution. It
was founded by Mary Baker Eddy and is called
Christian Science. Surely Catholicism is not
Christian Science.

This will be my last post on Catholic Forums.
I’ve tried my best to convey a reality that I’m
all too familiar with, and suggest lines of approach
that represent, to me, a *genuine **spiritual response
to people who are suffering…I think to little or no
avail. I give up.

reen12

 

[reen12]

Dear Phil,

Thanks for your concern. I’m taking what you’ve
said to heart.
[Even a touch of SAD can be a bummer.]

reen12

 

[NightRider]

junglesplash:

To give up the catholic faith is to bring trouble into your life my freind.

Please think seriously about what you are doing

Peace

I don’t think reen is giving up the Catholic faith, junglesplash, she is merely going to take a break from these Forums! and that is not giving up the Catholic faith! God bless you,

Geraldine