Can spirituality be harmful?
Certain sorts of religion and religious beliefs are not always helpful to people with mental illness, and have in a number of cases led to the rejection and fear of people with mental health problems.
In some sections of religion, people with mental illness have been seen to be possessed by demons or evil spirits, or by good but powerful spirits.
For other people, mental illness is blamed on 'sins' that they have committed. Such people have often been advised not to accept professional help but rather to look inwardly to themselves or in extreme circumstances to exorcism.
These are not positive attitudes or actions to mental illness and may actually harm the person still further.
Those with mental illness may be vulnerable and consequently may be exploited by members of faith communities. Extreme religious groups often have highly developed recruitment practices for finding vulnerable people and drawing them in within the cult or sect environment, and engaging in its practices and often set ways of thinking - many people without mental illness will also experience vulnerability in times of difficulty and emotional distress and so may also be expolited.
Although cults are an extreme outcome, the main issue remains that mental illness can leave vulnerable people open to exploitation from others who wish to impose their views on others. So, even more moderate religious groups can influence individuals into a certain way of thinking.
For other people, mental illness is blamed on 'sins' that they have committed. Such people have often been advised not to accept professional help but rather to look inwardly to themselves or in extreme circumstances to exorcism.
These are not positive attitudes or actions to mental illness and may actually harm the person still further.
Those with mental illness may be vulnerable and consequently may be exploited by members of faith communities. Extreme religious groups often have highly developed recruitment practices for finding vulnerable people and drawing them in within the cult or sect environment, and engaging in its practices and often set ways of thinking - many people without mental illness will also experience vulnerability in times of difficulty and emotional distress and so may also be expolited.
Although cults are an extreme outcome, the main issue remains that mental illness can leave vulnerable people open to exploitation from others who wish to impose their views on others. So, even more moderate religious groups can influence individuals into a certain way of thinking.
