Justice_League

I wouldn’t know. I’m not a Scientologist and have never really studied many of their positions on anything. I do know that just because someone has a PhD behind their name doesn’t automatically mean that their words and opinions represent the truth. Even if they did, I definitely wouldn’t trust the opinion of someone who had never met and evaluated their patient in person. The fact that they would even try to make a diagnosis under those circumstances renders that PhD pretty meaningless in my eyes.

Actually this is incredibly false. With the greater focus on mental/behavioral health that we have in place in our health system today- now more than ever, primary care docs are attuned to pick up on the subtle signs of a mental health problem. If one was suspected, a patient would be referred to the appropriate specialist. Obviously Trump wasn’t, so what’s your concern?

Yes, absolutely! It is absolute MALPRACTICE for a “mental health professional” to presume to diagnose ANYONE without even having evaluated them in person. This is purely opinion and nothing else. Miss muffet, would you like a government appointed “mental health professional” to come into your home and decide whether or not you are fit to live your life as you are currently, against your will? Keep in mind that this “professional”, if they do not agree with your opinions or methods, despite the attestation of your personal physician that you are mentally sound, could state that you are a danger to yourself and your family and recommend that you be removed from your current circumstances. How’s that for personal liberty?

Who is “THEY”? Do you think that every person’s destiny or future should be decided by whom the worldly ivy league institutions have deemed “mental health professionals”?

And who exactly is that who is “qualified”? Which mental health ...professionals.... are you referring to?

Many worldly “psychologists” or “psychiatrists” are full of worldly you-know-what.... and you should know that. What value would their opinions add to anything in this discussion?

Are you qualified to evaluate his need for mental health missmuffet... or for that matter... ANYONE’S mental heath or need for a mental health eval??

Hi Lily, I do know how you feel on some level. I’ve had to distance myself from my family as well due to those relationships being toxic and emotionally abusive. My mother in particular claims to be a very strong Christian but she is actually an extremely unhealthy person who isolates herself from the rest of the world. Many of these types will play the martyr/victim role and will always try to twist everything back onto others... That can be one of the hardest parts to deal with. Satan’s influence can take on many forms. I’m glad that you have been able to distance yourself from what sounds like a really unhealthy situation and that you’ve been able to find godly friends and support to surround yourself with. I know that the holidays can be an especially hard time when you’re dealing with family estrangement... I know it is for me. I usually have to battle with feeling like there is something wrong with me for not getting together with them during the holidays, especially if I’m having to explain myself to strangers who don’t really understand the situation. But most people will never understand what that really feels like unless they have experienced it in their own lives. Family doesn’t have to be blood if those people don’t treat you like the valuable individual you are. God provides and can bring true love and family into our lives through other means. God bless!

So true!

Why anyone would care about Miley Cyrus’ opinion on this issue I’ll never know... She’s just virtue signaling for props from the rest of her Hollywood/show biz buddies. They’re all so self-absorbed and attention-starved that they’re just clamoring to be the hot political commentator of the moment.

Just disgusting. Doesn’t take very long for the rest of the Hollywood lemmings to follow suit.

Hi Amy, Thank you for your kind words and I’m sorry to hear about your own struggles with your father. Dealing with someone who is manipulative can be especially difficult because it can cause so much self-doubt. I know it does for me. God bless.

Hi GandalfTheWise, Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it. That's really well said. I like your username

Disagree. And no, it’s not. But thanks for the input.

Nope. But thanks for your input.

Hi there, I’m curious if anyone here has had to deal with an estranged relationship with their parents? Have you ever gotten to the point where the relationship was too dysfunctional and toxic to go on? The Lord says we must forgive, but are we under any obligation to continue a relationship with a parent when they bring toxic negativity into your life? I have attempted to bring up problems and challenges with the parent on multiple occasions, to no avail. I think the worst part is that this parent in question believes themselves to be a very strong Christian and also has a martyr-like attitude, to the point where they honestly believe that they have done no wrong and are completely unwilling and unable to examine their own faults. The other unfortunate thing is that this parent has become somewhat of a recluse to the outside world, and doesn’t really have any connection to any outside sources that might provide any sort of counter or challenge to their point of view or faults either. My parent is not part of any church and does not really even have any real-life friends (besides other Christians they converse with on the internet and message boards who do not have any way of really knowing who my parent is and what they are like). In short, my parent has completely excluded and shut out anyone from their life who might challenge them in regards to their attitude, and created a false world to live in, in which 1) they are always right and good 2) they are always the victim, and 3) anyone who disagrees with them is in the wrong and is blocked out of their life. I’m hoping to get some input, primarily from others who come from dysfunctional family backgrounds... if anyone might have any to offer. Thanks for reading and God bless.

Actually, I made no statement of judgment towards her. Judgment vs. discernment. There is a difference between being self-righteously judgmental in regards to another person’s sin, and using discernment in regards to moral right vs. wrong and what God’s word has to say about it. I explained why I believe her stance to be incorrect, and put forth some probing questions which I hope would lead her to examine the Word and her own beliefs about judging the behavior of otbers when we are all sinners.

The scripture is pretty clear to me. Why would you want to hold on so tightly to the idea that you have a right to cast judgment upon others? You admitted yourself that you are a smoker. So by your logic, it is not permissible for you to cast judgment upon another smoker. However, it is permissible for you to cast judgment upon a glutton, a drinker of coffee or alcohol, or some other type of sinner? If you truly accept the fact that you yourself are a sinner, then what right could you possibly feel in your heart to cast judgement upon others for any of their sins - regardless of the details of the particular sin?

I see that you have no other defense for your stance on the issue. Sadly this is what happens when things get a little bit too real! I would sincerely urge you to deeply re-examine God's word on this issue and your own attitude towards judgment of others.

No, actually. Nothing from what you have posted says anything about when and what sort of judgment of another Christian is permissible. It simply points out when judgment is not permissible. Maybe we could write up a list of which sins you feel that you personally have not committed- that way you'll have a running list of which sins you are allowed to judge other Christians for? All of this is to say that maybe you should just leave the judgments to God.

I do not see where any of this says that you have the right to judge another person for their sin.

This verse says nothing that I can see about a person having the right to judge another person as long as they haven't committed the exact same sin. The point is that we are all guilty of great sin; therefore, what right do you have to judge another person unless you yourself are free of sin?

Here is some of what the Bible says... James 4:12: "12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" Romans 14:10: "10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat."

Thank you Blueyedjewel! I don't usually get the chance to be on much! Nice to meet you!

That was a nice way to dodge the question. Do you have the scripture where it says explicitly that you have the right to judge other sinners, as long as you are not committing the exact same sin?