Sign Checklist #1: RaptureReady gives the worst advice possible.

In the last article, I posted a picture of a sign that lists four websites to visit and one bible verse to read. The sign was posted by a local church group. I promised to visit each website on the list to find a topic to write about.

The first website is RaptureReady. On RaptureReady, I found an article about suicide.

This is a touchy subject for me. I suffered with clinical depression most of my adult life. My depression was most likely caused by a chemical imbalance. During most of my depression, I was a christian. I sought help from christian counselors. One pastor even advised me to throw my medication away. That was, of course, the exact opposite of what he should have told me.

Here's what RaptureReady has to say.

Please, if you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, seek the help of a pastor or Christian counselor. Do not try to carry this battle on your own. The devil is fighting hard for you; don’t give in to his lies. Find a good Christian counselor who can determine whether you may have a medical issue that is causing depression. Realize that whatever you are facing will pass. If you allow God to help you through it, you will be taking victory over Satan’s grasp on you. Don’t let him steal one more moment of the joy that God has set before you! (emphasis mine)

Don't get me wrong. Seeking counsel is the best thing you can do. There are some very good christian couselors. But, there are also some very bad ones as well. The problem I have with this article is that most church leaders that I know are not qualified to diagnose medical conditions. The article is advising the reader to seek spiritual counsel first to determine if he/she should see a doctor. This, in my opinion, is the worst advise in the case of suicidal thoughts. A doctor is the first person you should see.

Also, in the case of clinical depression, the symptoms of depression often do not pass. They may just keep getting worse until the victim gives up completely and commits suicide. Keep in mind that I am talking about clinical depression which is a medical condition. You don't become clincally depressed because your girlfriend dumped you. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Here's my advice. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are experiencing severe depression, find a good doctor (perferably a pychologist) who can determine whether you may have a medical condition that is causing depression.