Why are only certain things in the catechism excused under the "mental illness" umbrella

[HeWept]

Self-harm is a very sensitive topic. In the catechism, the writers mention that God's mercy potentially lifts the weight off those who are driven down the path to it by certain conditions of the mind. I was reading about it last week with someone (for clarification, that someone is a Catholic and I am a different denomination).

The person I was reading it with asked why the "conditions of the mind" part is only used as a way out in that particular topic. I asked what they meant, and they gave the example of lust. Lust can come in forms that one might say challenge our closeness to God. They then mentioned that "conditions of the mind" might sadly curse an individual to find compatibility impossible, such as people coming back from war who almost inherently cannot rest their mind on a single love and are internally clinically wandering, an example of the vast web certain conditions are and how they might play out. I didn't know what to answer. Why the reservations?

 

[Neckelehamiah]

Do you have scripture to back this up?

The verse that comes to mind for me is James 2:10.

It reads like this:
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

By the means of this scripture I would assume that rather than reservations, there are renegades.

There are people who have mental health struggles and there are people who don’t. It doesn’t matter what sin you commit or what your mental status is. What matters is whether or not you choose to acknowledge your wrongdoings and repent.

I hope this helps!

 

[chevyontheriver]

Self-harm is a very sensitive topic. In the catechism, the writers mention that God's mercy potentially lifts the weight off those who are driven down the path to it by certain conditions of the mind. I was reading about it last week with someone (for clarification, that someone is a Catholic and I am a different denomination).

The person I was reading it with asked why the "conditions of the mind" part is only used as a way out in that particular topic. I asked what they meant, and they gave the example of lust. Lust can come in forms that one might say challenge our closeness to God. They then mentioned that "conditions of the mind" might sadly curse an individual to find compatibility impossible, such as people coming back from war who almost inherently cannot rest their mind on a single love and are internally clinically wandering, an example of the vast web certain conditions are and how they might play out. I didn't know what to answer. Why the reservations?

Conditions of the mind can apply to all sins. Look at the conditions for mortal sins in the Catechism. Three things are needed. It has to be serious matter. You have to know it is serious matter. And you have to choose it freely. That last part is the relevant part here. Does an addict ‘freely choose’ to shoot up? Now there would be some responsibility, but diminished. There could also be responsibility in how one got to that situation. God sees all of that better than we can.

 

[B Griffin]

Self-harm is a very sensitive topic. In the catechism, the writers mention that God's mercy potentially lifts the weight off those who are driven down the path to it by certain conditions of the mind. I was reading about it last week with someone (for clarification, that someone is a Catholic and I am a different denomination).

The person I was reading it with asked why the "conditions of the mind" part is only used as a way out in that particular topic. I asked what they meant, and they gave the example of lust. Lust can come in forms that one might say challenge our closeness to God. They then mentioned that "conditions of the mind" might sadly curse an individual to find compatibility impossible, such as people coming back from war who almost inherently cannot rest their mind on a single love and are internally clinically wandering, an example of the vast web certain conditions are and how they might play out. I didn't know what to answer. Why the reservations?

Is this a quest to understand the contents of the catechism or is in an effort to find a way to lift the burdens of sin off a sinner's back?

 

[timf]

Catechisms are written by churches as an attempt to simplify the bible. Perhaps done with good intentions, the danger is when the misrepresent things. For example, Christians do not need to worry about paying for sins.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Self-harm is not exactly like a mental illness. Many people end up cutting or with eating disorders as an attempt to exercise control over anxieties.This can be addressed therapeutically.

 

[Neckelehamiah]

I have to agree to disagree.

Self harm in itself is not a mental illness, but rather a coping mechanism.

It can easily become an addiction.

But where is the line drawn between a habit and a sickness?

I believe addiction is a sickness.

But again, as I mentioned in my previous reply here, the Bible states that all sins are equal in God’s eyes.

In other words: every sin of humankind is both equally excusable and equally inexcusable.

What you choose to make of that information is entirely up to you.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Luke 15:17 KJV
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!


Ecclesiastes 9:3 KJV
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Ecclesiastes 7:25 KJV
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

Luke 6:11 KJV
11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

 

[chevyontheriver]

But again, as I mentioned in my previous reply here, the Bible states that all sins are equal in God’s eyes.

Is that why the Bible says in 1 Jn 5 "16 If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God * will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal."?

 

[HeWept]

Do you have scripture to back this up?

No, the concept I'm asking about seems unique to the catechism.

Is this a quest to understand the contents of the catechism or is in an effort to find a way to lift the burdens of sin off a sinner's back?

Understanding the catechism. It's an observance that was noticed and piqued my curiosity.

 

[David Lamb]

Catechisms are written by churches as an attempt to simplify the bible. Perhaps done with good intentions, the danger is when the misrepresent things. For example, Christians do not need to worry about paying for sins.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Self-harm is not exactly like a mental illness. Many people end up cutting or with eating disorders as an attempt to exercise control over anxieties.This can be addressed therapeutically.

Yes, and it's catechisms. Unfortunately, the OP doesn't say which catechism is meant here.

 

[B Griffin]

Understanding the catechism. It's an observance that was noticed and piqued my curiosity.

Thanks for the clarification. I can't help with that.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Yes, and it's catechisms. Unfortunately, the OP doesn't say which catechism is meant here.

I think we can assume it is the recent Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). If so, the paragraphs are numbered so people can quickly reference the contents. If not, it would be good to know which catechism was used.

 

[RamiC]

Do you have scripture to back this up?

The verse that comes to mind for me is James 2:10.

It reads like this:
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

By the means of this scripture I would assume that rather than reservations, there are renegades.

There are people who have mental health struggles and there are people who don’t. It doesn’t matter what sin you commit or what your mental status is. What matters is whether or not you choose to acknowledge your wrongdoings and repent.

I hope this helps!

10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2 10-13

The part I have chosen to bold is what comes to my own mind.