I’m aware a lot of church people, who think they are Christians, believe all mental illness, is demonic. I’ve had people tell me I am demonic. I’ve had insinuations I am a child of the devil. I’ve had church people tell me I need an exorcism. I’ve had church people tell me I have the ‘seeds of Satan within me’, because I’ve been raped 100’s of times, by a paedophile and a psychopath. All spiritual, psychological and emotional abuse. But, they have remorse, no guilt, no shame, no empathy.
I’m aware of the (wrong) literal and abusive interpretations of the Bible. But, I truly did believe, not all church people think like this.
I believed my counsellor (church person) did not believe this. Until I heard her say, that mental health/illness – is ‘the dark side’. Which means demonic and of Satan. And she said this to a whole heap of church people, at a conference. So, they no doubt would all think the same. She wouldn’t have said it otherwise.
I would never have believed I would hear that attitude from her. Of all the things we have different opinions on, I did not ever assume this would be one of them.
It has shocked and devastated me, to a level I cannot even describe. It is a huge betrayal, to know that for 4 years I have talked to this woman, told her things I have never told anyone else. I’ve trusted her more than any person I have ever trusted. And all along, she believes my mental health issues, mean I am demonic, evil, of Satan. I’m on ‘the dark side’.
The repercussions of this, are huge. And on many levels.
These kinds of abusive and incorrect attitudes, promote and worsen stigma about mental health/illness.
These attitudes, re-traumatise those who have mental health issues, caused by abuse.
These attitudes, hurt, harm, abuse and devastate people, who have already been harmed enough.
And I don’t give a fuck what Bible interpretations people wish to choose…… it is a deep lack of empathy and compassion, to say those with mental health issues are all on ‘the dark side’. Continue reading
