Do you think religion is useful for recovery?

[Anxieyote]

I don't think it's uncommon for people to recommend religion to suicidal people. I have been listening to sermons from a few mega churches recently, and they aren't too bad. I don't personally believe in God, but the pastors that are hired for these sermons are good at what they do. I feel a heightened sense of importance and purpose after listening to them, and it feels really good to have someone say they care about you, or that God cares about you.

I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree, but religion feels like a lot of gussied-up bullshit. I feel like Christianity just happens to have become the most digestible form of religion for the masses, and a coping mechanism for those who have been weakened by life's hardships.

I'm trying to decide if the good outweighs the bad, though. Church is a chance for almost anyone to be included in a group, regardless of their knowledge of the Bible. The social benefits alone are compelling. I went to church growing up, and although I wasn't exceptionally close with anyone there, they began to feel like a second family with how often I'd see them. And if you ever go to a service an hour or so before it starts, you basically get a free socialization pass with whoever you want to talk to. Everybody's eating donuts, drinking coffee, and chilling—they don't care who you are; you can just introduce yourself and start talking.

What are you guy's views on religion? Yay or nay? Are you like me; too cynical to fully buy into they concept of God?

 

[everydayiloveyou]

Religion is what helped me not kill myself back when I was younger. It really helps me because I feel alone a lot, back then was when I felt the most alone. Reading the Bible, praying and begging for a sign, and having a small miracle happen to me (as crazy as it may sound) saved my life. I felt like I was being heard and that I could have hope again.

I've never gone to church though. I'm a lesbian woman so I don't think most churches would accept me, but that's ok since I don't need a pastor or group to interpret the Bible for me, I can do that myself. I can see how going to church could really help people though.

Some people stay alive for their dog, or because they have a good friendship with someone online. Plus, Christianity is not the only religion out there. Lots of people find solace in practicig Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc. I think if it helps someone find positive purpose and meaning in their life then it's a worthy thing.

 

[Celerity]

Answering this was awkward.

I answered yes because it seems to be true, but I no longer find any argument for a benevolent higher power convincing, and that is the one religious concept I have found to be the most promising for suicidal people.

 

[Pure]

Yes. Abrahamic religions run on attributing suicide as a great sin which takes away the option for them which forces them to improve their lives in theory.

Abrahamic religions generally run on fear loathing and paternalism. I began to delve into African traditional religions (I'm African) and I found great comfort in learning that we (before the Christians and Muslims came) believed that we chose our personality prior to birth and that bad things that happened isn't a reflection of our choices.

 

[Makko]

Religion is an end, not a means. If you're an atheist, simply stay one. It's better from your mental health than cynically trying on religion like a hat in case it's "useful".

 

[deflationary]

It might be, if you can find or design one that works for you. Might as well give it a try. It's not like we're rational beings. Wishful thinking can go a long way. Though odds are that if you're suicidal, wishful thinking doesn't work as well for you as it does for most people.

 

[demuic]

I don't think it will help you unless you truly believe in it and, and you can't force yourself to believe in something that you don't. Some people are not wired at all to believe in susperstitions. If someone can use it as a positive way of being charitable or connecting with others without all the dogma or forcing it on other people, that's probably the best way to go about it.

 

[timf]

Religions (including Christianity) can be presented as something useful. Christianity spread significantly in its first 300 years under very adverse circumstances. One reason was the transformed lives of a formerly alcoholic husband or a previously shrewish wife presented such a compelling testimony.

Sadly, much of Christianity today (like many other religions) presents itself as a system to make people feel better. While this can provide short term relief and thus be a survival tool, it can fall short of something upon which to build a new life.

While feeling good can be appealing, long term progress is usually built on a foundation of finding truth. Each person has to search out truth for themselves. If a particular religion can lead you to truth, follow it. If you find you were mistaken or wish to grow closer to truth, you may have to change course occasionally.

It has been said that I am embarrassed about what I thought five years ago and I hope to be embarrassed five years from now about what I believe today. This is meant to show a life of continuing to grow closer to truth.

Truth is useful in that it illuminates reality even in a brutal way (captured a little with the phrase "the cold light of truth"). Another thread recently asked is suicidal people had a more clear view of reality. In a way, people driven to consider suicide are often able to see through things others find comfort in.

A lack of comfort can often make truth seem disadvantageous. However, one can find comfort in truth. For example, acknowledging that we are all flawed can allow one to set aside the effort to maintain an image of sufficiency. What religion can do is give us an understanding of truth that lets us build a life with comfort or even joy in spite of all the problems that exist.

Alternatively some can find in religion a comfort from truth. Each person has to seek his own path.

 

[Dysgenic Pup]

It could work for some but I doubt someone who has built a cynical/pessimistic mindset and has had suicidal thoughts for a long period time will believe in any such thing.

 

[clown_17]

I think it can help some lucky people.

Personally it just makes me angry. I have no respect or appreciation for a god that let me end up here. Also there's alot of hypocrisy in the Old Testament. God is supposed to be someone forgiving who welcomed the sinners, yet they doomed the golden calf worshippers to wander the desert for their whole lives. Besides the obvious impossibility, the fact that the bible is so unclear that everyone has an different interpretation shows that there's a problem.

 

[Anxieyote]

Besides the obvious impossibility, the fact that the bible is so unclear that everyone has an different interpretation shows that there's a problem.

That's the part that bothers me the most. The Bible can mean whatever you want it to mean.

My parents used to send me to youth groups when I was a kid, and the youth leader would go around in a circle and ask each of us what we thought a certain Bible verse meant. He'd always reply with, "Yeah, it could mean that. Good interpretation!"

And I'm sitting there like…why on earth are you letting kids decide what the Bible means? Literally everyone was just ascribing their own personal anecdotes, and they encouraged it. Whatever issues you happen to be going through right now, are issues that Bible verses were made specifically for…what a happy coincidence.

And now you see churches nationwide backpedaling on anti-gay rhetoric because it's unpopular, and even going as far to say that Jesus was pro-LGBT and cherrypicking verses that could even vaguely be interpreted as gay pride. What a joke.

 

[callme]

Why sell yourself short that you are a weak person who constantly must be in pain, and therefore always challenged and tested? Why rely on a false promise of hope for another life, after death, just to avoid living this one if you can?

Remember the divine plan? It turns out, if his majesty the invisible drives our fate, then it turns out all of us including you deserve to be in this situation, because god. So what are we to do, embrace it and pray, over and over again? If there's a divine plan, what's the bloody deal with praying any use of?

Pain is mainly what makes us overcome life, probably what eases fear of death.. no need to involve the occult in it to explain it, or to know it's true. In case you want to live, make life a challlenge of your own, going on as long as you want.

 

[Chiisai]

I admit it helped me when I was younger without the thought of finances, bills, health, family, and the future without them but now that adulting is here and had some quite bad turns and decisions that I was unaware would greatly impact my life in the following thoughts stated above, it will really be of a great difficulty.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

Mm, I think this is a good question to ask but the options are very limited, very black-and-white. There's more reasons why someone may answer no, and with all due respect…not everyone who would say no has such harsh views.

I think the answer just depends on a lot of circumstances. For example, even in a general religion (like Christianity), there are a variety of groups, sects, cults, whatever with their own secondary beliefs. These secondary beliefs, and potential rules/attitudes/general atmosphere that follow, can cause a lot of harm and worsen one's mental issues…even if the fundamentals/core beliefs of the main religion can help guide a person towards recovery. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the religion itself is damaging, it just means that the particular group (etc) is damaging, if that makes sense. Those who are religious may also have their beliefs for reasons outside of a desire to 'help themselves feel better'.

Stepping away from those nuances, I think it's important to consider the level and type of support that the individual has from other believers, the style of leadership, the goals of the group that the individual belongs to….many factors are in play, I guess. Ideally the person has good support from others in the religion, feels valued, finds meaning/purpose/comfort in their beliefs, any higher power(s), things like that….which could help them recover.

Really went on a tangent here and it may be all over the place, but eh. No one has to read this post. It was just nice to have something to think about for a bit.

 

[UseItOrLoseIt]

You asking that question, and having the opinions about it that you have is kinda proof that you wouldn't find it useful.
You could find some comfort in the community, yes, but as far as finding salvation (a fancy way of saying recovery) through true believing - it's a personal journey and a personal discovery and if and when you do find and accept it as the truth, as your truth, you will recognize it by the absence of the need for asking questions like these.

At least, this is what I gathered from the few authentic and genuine religious people I know, and by how my own non-religious epiphanies were revealed to me.

 

[Seiko]

Your reasons to stay alive—spiritual or not—need to be meaningful to you. For some, this is religion. Holding onto something as a means to get through can work; but if you weren't formerly religious, you probably won't get much value out of it. Though, there may be a sense of belonging as well as comradery in church-goers to be found.

I tried my solemn best to reintroduce Catholicism in my life as I was baptized and confirmed as one, as well as having prior sacraments. It wasn't enough. The authenticity of my faith could easily be disputed. I have since recovered for a good ~1-2 months, but religion played no part.

I know what it feels like to try and latch onto anything in attempts to ride the mental wave out of it. You might not find what other people find meaningful, meaningful. That's okay: the best beliefs you have are ones that doesn't wither with time or duress, and this could be anything.

 

[callme]

Though, there may be a sense of belonging as well as comradery in church-goers to be found.

In the act of comparing clothing.

 

[Bluescreen]

The Belief in something like God is a part of our Nature. This must have a reason, that it is so widespread, otherwise, if it was really as destructive as the new superstupid new Atheists keep shouting around, it would have not been prefered by evolution.

I for myself don't believe in a loving and caring God and it's not helpful to do so just because it is better for mental health. But, of course, I have the same Mechanisms in myself and do and believe in other illogical, stupid things. We are not made to be superlogical, intelligent beings without feelings and always looking for the truth, deal with it. If you are too far from that what is normal, you are endangered to suffer. No, we don't look for the truth, a good lie helps us to cope with life. But you have to believe that the lie is true.

 

[cooldude420]

former minister..... i still believe.....it is what has made me suicidal. its....complicated 4 me

 

[Naufrago]

For many religion plays a key role in their lives, belonging to something or someone.
For others, they want to be guided and tell them what to do or not to do.
But religion is not the same thing as faith; although it looks the same. Faith is personal, religion is group.

For many religion plays a key role in their lives, belonging to something or someone.
For others, they want to be guided and tell them what to do or not to do.
But religion is not the same thing as faith; although it looks the same. Faith is personal, religion is group.

If it's good for you to group... move on.

 

[TotallyIsolated]

Religion will make you worse. Proselytism preys upon vulnerable people who are easier to manipulate. They aren't interested in helping anyone, and if you did convert they wouldn't treat you with any respect or care for you. All they want is control over your life. Don't fall for it.