Posted by Dinah on October 24, 2002, at 2:34:19
In reply to Dinah, sunday school Re: Agreement or Confutation, posted by snood on October 24, 2002, at 0:14:50
Ummm. Well, actually I decided to go to one class after being unable to reach the class leader by phone. To her credit, she backed off the sin aspect of the class materials, defining sin as just being an impediment to being as close to God as we can be. I was ok with that as I know that sometimes when I'm not at my best, I don't feel as close to God as I could.
But it didn't seem right somehow to let the whole thing pass unmentioned. So I pointed out that the book was giving some pretty clear examples of classic presentations of real mental illness. And that it was often an added burden to those suffering already to be told that they can be cured by faith alone, since the implication is that they just aren't trying hard enough or their faith is not strong enough. The last thing we need is more guilt. I also pointed to an example or two in the first chapter of problems that would benefit from medication and CBT in addition to faith. And I also listened politely to the presentation of the lesson. At the end, I quietly gave my book to someone who hadn't got one yet.
I'm not sure if I explained how I felt in such a way that it was understood. I may bave just confirmed their view of me as somewhat odd, and a bit contentious. But it didn't seem right somehow to say nothing.
I'm sure that with debate and the narrowing of definitions and agreement on disclaimers, we could have come to a meeting of the minds, as the class leader is not an unreasonable woman. But that just seemed too disruptive to the class members.
poster:Dinah
thread:1086
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20021001/msgs/1155.html