1)

If the root of mental illness is sin, Andy, who committed the sin?

1st of all, we’re all sinners and our hearts are exceedingly wicked, both morally & physically. Even when we strive to be good in all things, our best is as disgusting to God as filthy rags, without repentance and redemption thru Christ our Savior(Psa 101, Ecc 9:3, Jer 17:9, Joh 8:44, Isa 64:6, Rom 3:10).

2)

If so, why isn’t every sinner…and that includes every one of us…mentally ill?

The Bible compares Satan as to a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy. Satan will exploit whatever mental, physical and/or spiritual weaknesses he can find in us, in order to bring us down (Deu 18:9-13, Job 1:5-2:10, 1Pe 5:7-9, 2Co 11:13-15, Eph 6:10-18).

That said, we need to be clear on the difference between mental ‘impairment’, ie injury, trauma or some other physical damage, versus ‘illness’ such as bi-polarism, depression, schizophrenia etc. As a result of our sins, we’re afflicted in different ways, however, seeking after God’s wisdom, self-discipline, soberness and vigilence, resisting irrational emotions and unmotivated by Man’s approval are keywords to avoid suffering mental illness (Psa 101, Book of Proverbs, Daniel 1, Luk 16:15, Rom 1:17-32, 2Ti 2:15), and/or cognitive dissonance (Isaiah 44, especially verses 18-20).

3)

Many or most doctors in this field believe that mental problems stem from a physical cause and it is hard to dispute that.

The root of sin is rebellion and the consequences may manifest itself in various ways to include physical diseases, depression, paranoia and/or insanity by demon possession. When one looks at Biblical cases of possession (1Sa 16:12-23, 1Sa 28:5-20, Mat 8:16-34, Mat 9:20-33, Mat 12:22-45, Act 8:6-24, Act 16:16-18), the traits all fall under the secular term ‘mental illness’. Also, note the difference in which those with “natural” physical disabilities are healed versus those with demonic-induced impairments, and Christ’s explanation of how one comes to be possessed. In any case, the medical profession hasn’t cured mental illness of any sort, they merely alter the outward manifestations of illness, i.e. sedation and/or shorting-out impulses.

Only Christ can heal mental illness. As for the Christian, if there’s a case of one suffering from mentally illness, then there’s a case unconfessed sin(s) somewhere (1Jo 1:9, James 1) because fullness of joy and mental anguish are simply incompatible in a state of forgiveness.

Bottomline, altho Satan cannot know our hearts (1Ki 8:39, 2Ch 6:30, Psa 44:21, Psa 139:23-24), he is the supreme psychologist bar none — as he entices with images of sweet tempations, while jerking the chains of sanity. He has used sex most effectively to bind and torment mankind since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Man simply cannot free himself by applying the best that science can offer.

Politically speaking, in reviewing the verses, I can’t help but notice how descriptive they are of our leading secular progressives. While no one has a lock on Truth & Wisdom, not everyone wants to hear, let alone abide by them.

But change “someTHING”, to “someBODY”, and then the connection is clear — or at least it should be. “Intent” has nothing to do with consequence. A child had been harmed, in both cases.

As Christians, we understand that ALL sin separates us from a sinless God. We know that Jesus died for the liar, just as He died for the pedophile.

So, despite how we may “feel” about those who hurt children (in my “natural” mind, I’d be one of the first to grab a pistol), we’re still obligated to pray for them, asking God to do a work in their lives, and bring them to repentance and wholeness. God loves them.

Pray for them? Forgive them? Love them? Protect children from them? All of the above!

Putting them in jail, or keeping track of their location should have nothing to do with forgiveness. Having said that, and affirming that it seems to be what my personal hero advocates, I have to admit that pedophilia is something that I am unable to be very forgiving about.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I do make a distinction between pedophiles and sexual addiction. However, I believe the distinction is only one of degree. It has been my experience that sexual addiction starts off with “safe” or “soft” pornography and progresses to more and more shocking materials. The problem is that these materials cease to become shocking or repugnant to the addict. All sexual addicts eventually find themselves in places they never thought they would go. They go there in search of the high. Pornography is just like a drug. Most (but not all) sexual addicts also end up acting out their addiction in the real world. Some chase women (affairs or prostitutes), some become “bisexual” and some become pedophiles. (I haven’t covered all the perversions, but I’m sure you get the idea.) Having said that, many sex addicts do not become pedophiles etc. Some of us posess the self control or just aren’t wired that way. I don’t know why that is.

I make a distinction between guilt or conviction and shame. Guilt or conviction is a realization, given by God, that an individual has sinned and deserves punishment or the consequences of that sin. Shame is an unhealthy wallowing in sin that prevents an individual from repenting and moving past the sin. Guilt reforms, shame destroys.

I don’t know what research you are reading, but many (not all, I know) abusers (and many sex addicts) were abused themselves. Not only have I read this research, but I am personally familiar with my own story and that of others.

from Ralph:There’s this smell coming off your writings that you’re trying to use the “disease” label to evoke pity from others and to hide from yourself the awfulness of actions you have taken.

I don’t think I am misinterpreting what Ralph had to say here. I take it personally because I suffer from sexual addiction and I can identify with the sufferings of other addicts. If you will read my original post I only ask that we openly discuss the issue. That is still what I want.

I am a sinner, saved by Grace. Every one who reads these words is the same (plus or minus the Grace, depending on their acceptance of it). All sin is the same in the eyes of God. I don’t expect non Christians to understand this. I hope that the Church may someday learn to help sexual sinners just like any other. Being short of that understanding I will model Christ and challenge those of you without sin to throw the stones. (AGAIN, I am NOT saying prison is not appropriate for those who break the law!)

We can keep on praying for them afterwards too. There’s no reason you can’t or shouldn’t pray for someone’s soul while you are chasing, catching, trying and punishing them. Doing so is good for the souls of those who have to do the unpleasant work of protecting society so that they don’t become infected by the evil they have to work with on a daily basis, so that they remain in a mind frame of “protectors of the innocent” rather than one of vindictiveness.

If so, why isn’t every sinner…and that includes every one of us…mentally ill?

Many or most doctors in this field believe that mental problems stem from a physical cause and it is hard to dispute that.

Therefore, heart problems, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and scores of other illness that beset human beings are brought on by the sins of the “victims”.

The majority of those who suffer mentally are not out there committing crimes. Some of them even have a fear of leaving their homes.

I disagree with your blanket statement that “criminality and mental illness are irreversibly linked”.

The root of mental illness is sin, therefore criminality & mental illness are irreversibly linked. However, since you don’t take religion into account the distinction would be meaningless.

Since society has decided to secularize mental illness, we have to look at it in that context. History has shown that “victims” of mental illness were banished from society. We did likewise by banishment to asylums. Now that we’re so enlightened, we have welcomed them back into our society and as a result suffer from repeated violations of our social codes.

Grey areas thoroughly intrigue me, and I’d love to hear your ideas. I’m not religious, so I don’t take religious concepts into account…

Child molestation is a very different thing from sexual addiction. It is a form of rape. And yes, rape must have legal consequences.

We should not talk about sexual addictions without shame, and we should not talk about food or alcohol addiction without shame. They are shameful things. Shame is the first step to repentance and healing. Without it we really are just hairless apes. In order to deal with sexual offenses openly, we must openly admit that they are, indeed, shameful things.

Please don’t ever use that phrase “cycle of abuse” again. Most people who have been abused, sexually or otherwise, do NOT commit abuse themselves. Being abused is not an excuse for committing abuse, and using what Alan Dershowitz called “the abuse excuse” leads the offender farther away from redemption.

I wonder why you are taking this discussion so personally when, if your assertions are true, it is not about you at all. This isn’t about legal adult behavior with adults. No one is suggesting imprisoning you. I don’t accuse you of deliberately misconstruing what we’re saying, but perhaps you should consider why it seems to have struck such a nerve.

God bless everyone here.

I don’t disagree with anything you have said. I only ask that we as a society deal openly with the issue of sexual addiction much in the same manner as we do alchoholism.

It’s time for us to grow up talk about sexual problems in a mature manner. We are about to lose a generation of young men. The prevalance of pornography has expoloded. This is but the first step in producing a generation of “perverts”. We don’t have enough jail space to hold everyone who is going to deserve it in 30 years.