"Thorns Among The Seed"

The Awakening of the Emotional Tragedy of 9/11

2013-09-24T08:32:00.000-05:00

Picture is in commemoration of a first responder and dear friend Paul Palmisano. Paul is a principle that teaches troubled teens and was on the scene of 9/11 to help and provide assistance anyway he could. 9/11 is a very hard day for him to get through. The memory of 9/11 will be forever with him, and as tragic as it was to be at ground zero that day, Paul has shown resilience through his pain and continues to help those that seem so helpless to help themselves. I am very honored by his friendship. This page is also dedicated to those troubled kids that he loves so much. Please visit the school and see what Paul is doing with his life twelve years later. www.ourlife.academy.com

Abstract
Twelve years ago on September 11, 2001 the American people were faced with a national media crisis as the twin towers in lower Manhattan collapsed from terror attacks in full living color from the comfort of their homes. Never has such an event shook the stability and securities of millions of citizens as each individual can vividly give an account of what transpired that day. There have been close to 3000 deaths that occurred from the attacks and 2000 more from health conditions afterwards. There will be an examination of interventions that were used, and the pros and cons of how this one act of aggression on American soil has reshaped a new era of counter terrorism. There are many questions that are full of gaping debates on how the crisis was handled and what might have been done differently by governing officials. Looking back and into the future America still struggles to find solutions on a grander scale that can bring us to clearer objectives in the wake of 9/11 attacks. While wars are still being consumed by those past events, there are thousands of military personnel that are still facing the crisis of war, and also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder along with a country that has grown weary to a battle that is still not clearly defined. There are still many unfulfilled answers that have not been given, which leaves no scab to the current wound of knowing the full truth of what happened on that day, and how it changed our complete perceptions overnight. Until clear answers are given, there is no end to what this aggression has cost so many in their search to find healing. Americans are looking for closure to what happened on that day. The evidence that will be presented will be based on research of those that seek the truth about 9/11, and more effective ways that we can deal with a crisis that is still plaguing the minds of the American psyche as we continue to deal with terrorist attacks abroad.

The Awakening of the Emotional Tragedy of 9/11

Description of the Crisis

It was a clear and beautiful skyline across New York City the morning of 9/11. Four American planes were high jacked after they were boarded. Two of the planes were purposely driven into the World Trade Center in New York City. When the first plane hit, most people believed it had been a terrible mistake or accident, and then several minutes later another plane hit the other building. It became quite obvious to most people that the country had been attacked from within. The entire country was in a state of shock as millions watched the towers burn and collapse from their television sets in the comfort of their homes. Another plane destroyed part of the Pentagon building, and the forth one crashed in Pennsylvania. According to the News broadcast that morning the passengers had tried to prevent the plane from crashing into any more buildings, and a few of the passengers had broken into the cock pit and struggled with the terrorists while crashing into an open field killing all that were on board.

Who would do such a thing, was the ultimate question of every American that morning. There were a total of 19 terrorists that were involved in the incident of all four planes. There were news reports that were calling this group Al Qaeda. America was told that they opposed western culture, and they practiced an extreme form of Islam that had been orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden. (Natalie Smith, 2013)

The strike hit at the heart of America, and there was great mourning, anger and confusion that flooded the entire country. The entire media was flooded with coverage as it played over and over with the scenes of that horrible morning. Americans were not prepared for any attack of this magnitude. The United States had been protected from invasions with the vast sizes of the oceans of both coast lands. At this particular time terrorism was something that most common people in America did not concern themselves with, but the fate of the attack of September the 11^th brought the shock and horror of what can change the feelings of safety to a very insecure feeling of fear, rage and helplessness.

It was a different crisis; something Americans had never experienced from their very homes. It was an unthinkable act that our very own planes would become the weapons that destroyed our landmark of national freedom along with thousands of working Americans that set from their desks conducting business from the apple of our land. Most people can still remember exactly where they were and what they were doing at the time of the attacks.

There was horror and destruction at ground zero as many first responders, policemen and fireman sacrificed their lives to save any remaining survivors. In the American spirit this attack entered the hearts and minds of all that witnessed the tragedy, and many are still unable to grasp such a horrible incident. The faces covered in white ash running away from the building. The jumpers that fell to their death rather than being burned alive was not a motion picture coming from the screens, but real life people just like the rest of us. These scenes are buried into the memories of all that witnessed these events on that memorable day that will never be forgotten.

Historical Context of September the 11^th after the First Five Years

In October following the attacks, the US and its allies invaded Afghanistan where the terrorist cell was based. The Taliban government was protecting Osama Bin Laden and there were training camps that were being ran from the country itself. US forces destroyed the Taliban. Since 2001 there were many Al Qaeda members that were captured or killed. The US then invaded Iraq in 2003 because of intelligence that Sad am Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction. This war was one that was well supported by most of the American people because of the fear that was inflicted from the attack on 9/11. It was later determined that no chemical weapons had been found. Hussein was later captured and executed by an Iraqi court. The US government took steps to ensure tighter security and safety for the American people during this time. Airports were more secured and people welcomed the changes hoping it would make lives more secure from the events of 9/11. Public buildings were more secure, and a new government position was taken to secure Americans against terrorism known as Home Land Security.

According to Christopher Reed (2004), in global statistics of war world wide 9/11 was relatively minor, but due to the fact that Americans have lived for centuries protected by bodies of ocean water, the US was over confident that no foreigners or invaders could bomb the area. Reed stated, “September 11^th carnage was psychologically catastrophic. Americans said it changed the world, but in fact Americans, or the US government, are making the most changes” (p 1). Americans have taken losses in the casualties of war, but the war against terror cannot be so formalized, but that is really not the point of the statement. Americans need to be advised that the world is a very shocking and violent place and 9/11 is a constant reminder of the day that a country awoke from their sleep (Reed, 2004).

During this time period President Bush made claims that war in Afghanistan and Iraq had made not just the US safer, but the entire world. This statement is simply not true. The death toll from terrorism in the year 2002 was approximately 750. In 2003 it was around 650. In 2004 it exceeded 1000 deaths, and this did not include the 191 deaths in Madrid, and the 271 deaths in the Shiite festival in Iraq the same month (Reed, 2004). The most hoped for incident had not occurred, the capture of Bin Laden as he presumed to move about from cave to cave in neighboring countries. The frustrations and effect of war was taking a toll on the American people will very little closure of the atrocities of 9/11. America was suffering causalities of war, and the structure of a safe place has been changed by the new policies of Home land Securities.

Historical Context 10 years after the Tragedy of 9/11

According to the Lancet journal (2011), the attacks of 9/11 were the deadliest seen on American Soil since World War 2. The events from that day changed the Historical Trajectory of the United States of America, and it continues today to have profound effects and consequences in health. It was further stated that “One inadvertent consequence was that, on a population level, anxiety, fear, and sometimes xenophobia were fostered at home and overseas”. (p 1). Many American Muslims felt stigmatized and intimidated, while the government continued to shift its spending priorities into home land security and emergency preparedness, and because of these things, health as a whole suffered greatly. (Lancet Journal, 2011).

Ten years after the 9/11 attacks New York City is still greatly affected. During this time more focus was being placed on the surveillance of the World Trade Center survivors and there long term mental and physical health concerns. In 2010 Health and Compensation Act was established providing 2.8 billion dollars with those that had been affected by illnesses caused by the attack of the World Trade Center. There were 3000 victims as well as first responders that endured ongoing health problems that needed a continuation of treatment. The health of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is an ongoing concern. There were an estimated 46,000 troops that were currently serving in Iraq with 98,000 deployed to Afghanistan. There was a growing number of military personnel that were returning with brain injuries as well as Post Traumatic Disorder, depression, suicide, alcohol misuse, and sometimes aggressive behavior towards others. As many as 10 to 20 percent of soldiers that have been exposed to combat were suffering from mental illness that resulted from the 9/11 attacks as they were called to defend the country against terrorism (Lancet Journal, 2011).

What has the country learned from the attacks of 9/11?

The greatest significance to 9/11 is that the entire country woke up to something it had little knowledge of because of our vulnerabilities of our constructed safe haven. Our minds turned away from the simple things, and made us examine other parts of the global world, and the ugly faces of terrorism, no matter who was responsible there have been huge debates on what actually happened on the date of 9/11. In the wake of the incident the country rose above it differences and united for a time period with people that simply dropped everything they were doing at the time to reach out to a disaster they felt so helpless to. It was a clear example of the human spirit and empathy towards each other in the period of shock and despair. Many people had a growing concern for their families at home, and viewed what happened to those that passed on could have been their own family members. It was a call of the American people to act quickly, and there was a huge response during a time that the complete Nation mourned over the aggression on civilian suffering and loss.

In the response of war I think there has been discovery that has been seen that terrorism brought a new type of crisis in which we were not fully prepared, even those that had been trained for such events ever expected something so tragic. Terrorist knew that playing upon the fears of the American people would create an unbearable wound. In the progress to move forward we have ventured out to learn more about global cultures in trying to grasp an understanding of how something like this could have occurred. Looking back to what happened from the beginning until now, we definitely need to be more psychologically prepared for terrorist attacks and there will be years of studying new crisis interventions to meet that calling in the future.

What we failed to understand was the impact of who was affected by these senseless attacks. According to Roxane Irvine (2011), she stated that “most of the research has considered the burden of posttraumatic stress disorder on individuals who were proximal to the attacks, lost a loved one, or engaged in cleanup or recovery, but the psychological impact spilled over beyond those directly exposed, affecting those who merely witnessed the attacks indirectly. Indeed, this spillover went far beyond posttraumatic stress responses” (p 427). Although many questions have remained unanswered, psychological research is making impressive contributions towards bringing these topics that are of great consequence to our survival past an attack such as 9/11.

The aftermath of 9/11 also opened up new doors that included faith based groups that have proven to have valid consideration to helping those with these types of disorders. Before 9/11 there were no answers in a way to intervene outside of secular means, but many felt the need of spiritual interventions as well as other resources to help them cope. There has been a huge increase of lay counselors that have increased since the incident of 9/11. There has never been a greater need of spiritual strength in the face of complete darkness and despair. Many of the survivors and first responders felt a strong desire to help, and most drew incredible strength from God to help them digest what they were up against.

I hope in the field of crisis interventions there will be more spiritual counseling on a wider scale so that we can prepare Americans on an individual basis of the realities of what can happen in the wake of such a man-made disaster. Not only as a crisis counselor intervening, but also educating people to be aware of the dangers and stay diligent in the days ahead. Many believe that 9/11 was a huge call for Americans to get there houses in order, and to also prepare themselves for the evil that dwells among us. 9/11 was a clear call to awake from every individual perspective.

Taking a look closer at the Interventions that were used after the 9/11 attacks.

There are several aspects of crisis intervention that should be clarified through the attacks of 9/11. According to Irwin Mansdorf (2008), first there needs to be an understanding that terror attacks are far different from other disasters. There is no warning or familiar scope of nature. Second, the stress was not only associated to those that were victims, but were felt across the country, showing 44 % of adults and 35% of children showing what is called as substantial symptoms that related to upsetting reminders, disturbing memories, unable to concentrate, sleep deprivation and irritabilities. This crisis is one that is known as crisis by observation. The third and most important of all is how terror can create an ongoing personal threat in different societies. This creates an ongoing need for vigilance that is not at all common in other types of crisis or natural disasters (Mansdorf, 2008). He further suggests that this type of exposure to terrorism increases the vulnerability on a wider scale, and there have been suggestions made that pre attack intervention or preparation would be helpful in dealing with these sorts of symptoms.

Although there is some evidence of research that indicates that immediate calls for psychological first aid rather than those of clinical interventions, there are questions that have been raised about conducting any intervention at all, because research has also shown that some people may if fact do better the less emotion they express at the particular time of the trauma. CISM has a lengthy history and there have been questions that have been raised about the efficacy. The most controversial aspect of CISM is the debriefing phase where it takes place within 24 hours of the crisis. It is where emotional expression is encouraged, and a review of the experience in group settings to cognitively process the experience. At Oxford University there was a study that was conducted known as the Cochrane group study. The conclusion regarding the one session was viewed as direct and blunt. Psychological debriefing can contribute to making the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder worse. It is also not recommended for depression, anxiety or psychological morbidity. The study indicated that it may further the risk of PTSD as well as depression (Mansdorf, 2008). After reviewing the evidence of the use of CISM with the first responders of 9/11 there is also research that would strongly disagree, and the arguments were defended by an accurate debriefing rather than one with lack of proper training. A high base line of hyper arousal has a tendency to show worse results than other types of de briefing. After the attacks of 9/11 the APA published fact sheets that encouraged the usage of resilience in dealing with psychological symptoms. The fact sheet identified with the belief that most individuals were able to deal with high levels of stress and challenges. Resilience is defined as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma and tragedies. Consistent with the ability of resilience, there were a large number of people that suffered from PTSD, it was apparent that the largest majority of those that were exposed to terrorism showed a positive display of resilience. On a reasonable basis it should be stressed on the importance of realistically providing an assessment of the damage from any attack, and the focus would be well on resilience, and using several specific interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy, medications as needed for high risk individuals that suffer a serious stress reaction (Mansdorf, 2008).

Terror victims are unique and should not be treated the same as those from other disasters or trauma. Regarding the events of 9/11 there would be a great deal of relevance and meaning to this particular group in the act of supported adjustment and reducing fears of a further attack or future terrorism. The main objective is not whether psychological help should be given, but rather to know the limits, or if intervention should be needed at all. Providing intrusive intervention could intensify the trauma by not allowing natural coping skills to be engaged would not be productive in the events of terror attacks. There should never be an intention to expose individuals to emotional levels that are not productive. There was a review of crisis intervention that included several approaches including CISM and debriefing and the reports came back effective, and it was focused on guidance on handling emotional and behavioral symptoms. There is no definite treatment for terror related attacks. This is the reason it is vitally important to take a conservative outlook while being extremely careful to not worsen the crisis or cause harm by intrusively conducting interventions. It is critical that one does not attempt to overtreatment. There are disasters with crisis intervention workers and their thoughts are well and meaningful, but sometimes poorly prepared volunteers that are seeking to help providing psychological assistance can be over intrusive which could possibly cause the crisis to worsen for the individual if they are suffering from PTSD. There will be a continuation of broad scientific based interventions that will continue to be developed as past events continues to occur. In the mind of a crisis intervention team, the main focus should be to do no harm intrusively, and to be empathetic to those that suffer from such incidences (Mansdorf, 2008).

Conclusion

There are still many unanswered questions that surround the attack of 9/11, and with truthful answers there is a closure that can take place in the minds of those that witnessed these things personally, as well as indirectly. There are wide spread debates that have surfaced about whether we were told the truth of what occurred on the day of the attacks. It is in the spirit of men and women to search out the truth, and then the bondage of freedom can be released. There are many families that are still wondering about what happened to their loved ones, and question why the investigations of 9/11 are still incomplete. Many of these problems have caused divisions even among our very government and where there is truth, there is closure. Many people wonder if the wars have helped the situation of safety for those of our country. Many people still live in a dark place concerning 9/11. It was a dreaded scar that struck deep in the heart of every American that morning. While sometimes it is not apparent for us to be able to understand something as horrible as 9/11, it is encouraging to think we can go back to that day where the country met in a united spiritual place that impacted our nation. Learning to overcome and perhaps less of knowing why is what we long to seek in the days ahead as God guides us to move forward as a divine people who will lean on one another through our attempts to rise through the ashes. Resilience is what has made this country the greatest of all nations. May we live by that, and learn tolerance towards one another as we move forward in a dangerous world. Perhaps in spite of the tragedies surrounding what happened on 9/11, it was a time like no other that we needed to awaken from the sleeping giant known as evil.

Have You Truly Made Your Amends?

2013-08-15T10:24:00.002-05:00

I have lived with regrets and hurt other people and while my past no longer controls who I am, there is accountabilities that follow through every injury. Anger is masked through hurt and when you steal a child's identity for selfish reasons in sobriety they are going to experience injustice and loss of what happened to their childhood. A great deal of emotional abuse is covered with alcohol and substances, but when we rise above those numbing factors, reality is still there in their minds.

Never excuse your behavior and there are times we have to listen to those that we have robbed and cheated, even when it sounds angry. This is a part of the healing process and if you are not ready to deal with those issues then you are not equipped to deal with your past or your accountability over the damage that was done. I pray for those that are not willing to understand or be honest.

While we know that we are supposed to honor our father and mother, very close to that passage it also states that Father's do not provoke your son's to wrath. When dealing with these situations; until there is a breakthrough there is not one that can demand respect when they are not fully facing the damage of the hurt. Part of our accountability is taking responsibility over what we have done, and it doesn't mean disregarding those that we have harmed or playing it off. This will only accumulate more rage and resentment. Those that show no remorse for damaging one’s life have not faced the truth. They need help to come to terms with what their actions have caused. Anger is DANGER when left to itself.

Most of what someone wants is honesty, and an understanding of what was done to them. It is much easier for forgiveness to happen this way in families and relationships. Children respect protection from their parents, and when protection has been severed throughout their lives, rage builds and confusion over what happened to them is overwhelming. This happens many times in sexual abuse cases, as well as a parent that has continued to use drugs with their child. Injustice creates anger and feelings that were stolen from them in innocence. Every child wishes they could do what they want but in reality they grow up, and if they are allowed to destroy themselves with a parent's consent or participation, they later realize how much protection they truly needed while wondering how this could happen to them. We were never meant to be our children's friends, or include them in situations that could ruin their lives, or even kill them.

There are many unanswered questions of why they were violated, and blame that person when they become addicted to sex or drugs. This is a horrible battle of one moving through this in their recovery process, and is a step towards healing. It is a long road to acceptance, and learning to forgive those that hurt us unjustly. Anger is part of it, and families that wish to make amends cannot do this without accountability for their actions. There is no covering or mask that God does not witness, and while many people seek God while searching for answers, this one thing cannot be skipped over. The injury has to heal and sometimes if there is no accountability, the person must deal with that anger alone. Through the process of forgiveness and restoration we must look to God, even when others fail us or remain to stay as they are. We have no control and in our healing we have to give that anger over to God or we self-destruct. Some things are too hard for us alone, but with God all things are possible. Prayers!

Denial is spiritual blindness that leads to deception. If you walk in spiritual blindness, you will never be able to see where you are going, or clearly hear God’s voice in your life. This is not a blame game, or a post to trample anyone with condemnation; it is a heart cry for the innocence lost. I will speak up for those that cannot speak, and my words will trust in the Holy Spirit to heal and restore brokenness. My prayers will flood like a river into the utter most parts of those secret places where there is no voice. It is for a little girl and boy that have carried this burden for way to long. It is for the man or woman that cannot face up to their wrongs. I pray transformation and reconciliation into the process of healing and recovery. May God guide you and be with you on a journey towards freedom and restoration. There is nothing that cannot be forgiven, but every stone will be turned over and no secret will be covered.

God is whom I fear and I will not be moved. We have all fallen short, and this journey is impossible to walk alone when chains are bound to our souls. Any family that is going through these trials, there is no healing that can take place until we are able to own up to the damages we have done towards others. I pray you will make a choice of accountability. You owe it to yourself and also to your loved ones. May God guide you in your decision to break the yoke of deception. I pray that you will take that step.

Breaking the Silence of Sexual Abuse in the Church

2013-07-07T21:37:00.000-05:00

Abstract

Sexual abuse among the church is an unsettling thought, but despite the discomfort there is a huge concern of covering up or silencing the growing problem. In our society today there has been a huge distortion of what healthy sexuality is and what it is not. The word sex is still one that is very discomforting among main stream churches. Very often sexual acts are covered up while perpetrators are sent off to other places to minister, and sexually abused victims are quieted and left alone to battle the afflictions of pain concerning sexual abuse. Powers can be misrepresented and very little counseling on the subject of sex has been available, and this has given rise to the openness of the media while sexual addictions are continuing to flood into the churches. The reality of protecting sexual offenders and silencing those victims that have been abused can no longer be acceptable or ignored. There is no justice of throwing out the sexual offender to be able to reoffend. There is no justice to silence the victim. There must be accountability to the offender, and the victim must never be silenced into submission. There is a growing need for trained advocates to respond to these problems and provide biblical solutions and extensive counseling to this growing population. The purpose of the paper is a labor of love that is given as a wakeup call faced by institutions in all cases of sexual exploitations. There is urgency regardless of the cost to break the chains of silence in order to help those that suffer from the growing problems of sexual addictions and victimization.

There is a great deal of discomfort among Christians when it comes to dealing with sexual issues, but there are subjects that need to be addressed in order for healing to come to those that are suffering from sexual abuse. The silence of victims can no longer be ignored or tolerated among believers in the body of Christ. Our culture has a distorted view of what authentic sexuality is and these misconceptions are not biblical. (Miller, 1993) stated “ This labor of love is given as a wakeup call to a world just starting to stir to the rumblings of the incredible challenges faced by beloved institutions in cases of sexual exploitation in their midst.” (p.iii)

Most people find it very difficult as well to address sexual abuse by church leaders, but for those that have survived; the effects of it are devastating. Often time’s victims have been blamed and the perpetrators have been protected. The Bible is clear according to Ezekiel 34, as he spoke to Israel concerning the Shepherds who are fulfilling their selfish desires, and God promises that he will rescue his sheep from their mouths, so they will no longer be food for them. God speaks and says, “I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.” (vs. 11) God truly has a heart for those that have been violated (Block, 2011).

Statistically one in three girls will be victimized, and one in six boys by the age of eighteen years of age. Most cases of sexual abuse are never reported. One third all people have been affected by sexual abuse, and with that number it would seem that more resources would be poured into that problem, but the epidemic is still largely hidden in our society. Only in the last fifteen years is the problem even being recognized, but there are professionals and survivors that are making a difference. There are misconceptions about sexual abuse; although violence does exist, but molesting a child is not always physically painful to them. Most people that think in terms of sexual abuse see a very violent picture in their minds, but there are those that prey upon their victims lavishing them with affection and gifts while violating their innocence for their own personal satisfaction. This can occur without violence or force, but through manipulation or a false sense of loving the victim. A child lacks the emotional maturity to understand the exploitation that is involved. The perpetrator can use their age and power to achieve their distorted view of personal satisfaction. Most of the time the perpetrator is someone that is close, and has a trusting relationship with the family and victim (Ferree, 2010).

There are behavior patterns of what to look for in a sexual perpetrator; these things should

be understood and also draw concern. The victims are made to feel important and valued, and
there is a longing for dependence upon the perpetrator for their help and support. The offender
will often convince the victim that they are the only one that understands them. Gradually the
abuser can introduce sexual behaviors in a way that does not seem inappropriate to the victim,
which could begin with a simple hug while moving forward with intensity as time progresses.
Finally the abuser is more blatant about their abusive behavior. This type of cohesion is more
applicable through power driven sources. Children or adolescents do not understand these types
of techniques, and they can be easily violated by those that they trust (Block, 2011).

There are very damaging consequences with those that have been victimized by church

members, leaders or caregivers and have long lasting effects on a person. The sexual violation
effects the victims entire life including their feelings, relationships, and how they view their
personal spirituality. There are enormous amounts of fear, guilt and repressed anger. The
violation can shatter the victim’s ability to trust anyone. In the process of what happens, there is
often blame towards themselves, and feelings of shame and devalue consume their emotions.
There are many things that follow a person that has been sexually abused, and some of the
symptoms include depression, panic disorders and sleeplessness. Many victims have
experienced eating disorders and can appear to be tired most of the time. A survivor of sexual
abuse has a very hard time having intimate relationships that would include healthy sexual
experiences later in life. Many sexually abused victims will turn to drug and alcohol as a coping
mechanism, or could be suicidal and have self-destructive tendencies (Block, 2011).

There are lasting spiritual effects that happen to those when trusted individuals injure them,

especially those that is closely associated with the church. There is often a great deal of
betrayal and often one might believe that God has abandoned them. They might also suffer from
self-blame, thinking it is their fault. Many victims feel that they are unworthy of God’s love.
One of the most important things we can do for someone that has suffered from sexual abuse is
to listen to them, believe them, and to reassure that the violation was not their fault.
(Block, 2011).

When sexual victims are turned away, or made to feel as if they have not told the truth they

are silenced and suffer internally, and this continues to affect every aspect of their lives. This
silence in the church and the misconceptions concerning sexuality have to be examined, because
if there is no help to be given there will continue to be more statistics that will be taken in other
ways, such as drug addictions, sexual addictions and possibly suicides, among many other self
destructive problems that will stem from the pain (Laaser, 2004).

The number one cause of death among the young is suicide. While these are difficult

problems to address we truly cannot afford to deny them any longer or simply look the other
way. Offenders must be held accountable and it is the church’s responsibility to see that they
also receive the help that they need. When sexual abuse occurs it is the responsibility of
everyone to make sure that the one that has violated someone sexually is held accountable for
their actions. Sexual victims also need to receive the proper care, and the most critical thing that
can be done for them is to hear them, and not blame or ignore their cries for help.

(Miller, 1993), stated, “The termites continue to eat deeper, and more people continue to be

injured. The solution, as Dee recognizes is to acknowledge and confront wrong, build more
precautions into the system and to educate for prevention in order to create healthier individuals,
and a healthier system” (p vi). There is hope for victims of abuse and the secondary victim, el.e.,
the church itself. That hope will only exist if we examine the dynamics and stop denying,
avoiding, ignoring, and no longer burying our heads in the sand. According to Miller she stated,
“the message of How Little We Knew is clear; This is no bad dream about to go away if we just
wait for things to settle down” (p. vii).

(Balswick, 2008)explains that “one victim described their feelings of a hushed up secret that’s

too big for seventy times seven forgiveness” (p. 244). Sexual violations are spiritual violations
and continue to have a huge impact of the victim and our society as a whole. It should make one
wonder why the subject has been so widely ignored, and from the victim’s stand point there is
distorted reasoning that forgiveness is not accepted in their reality. How sad that so many
hurting people feel as if they are to blame, and there is so safe place of comfort to be understood.

     A perpetrator uses their most powerful position to take advantage of a child’s curiosity,
innocence and vulnerabilities.    There are also cases of incest where parents or family can also
misuse their power over the child to coerce them into sexual compliance.   It completely breaks
the bond of trust in the relationship and no child is ever prepared to deal with something so
tragic. Families have also been known to minimize sexual abuse, and play it off as sexual
curiosity (Balswick, 2008).

Female children are at a higher risk for sexual abuse as much as 83 percent and boys remain

at 17 percent and preadolescence is a time of higher risk. A child is robbed of their personal
power, and this cannot be replaced once the violation has occurred. Balswick stated “ That
suffering is not to be denied or forgotten, and talking about the pain can become an eventual
pathway to healing and restoration” (p. 253). When the victim is released from the crippling
effects of what has happened to them they are then able to establish a new identity, and they are
no longer haunted by their past. There is great help that therapists and Christian counselors can
provide for those that have had to endure the secret of their pain alone (Balswick, 2008).

Sexual Offenders must recognize the pain that has been inflicted and that a serious spiritual

wound has occurred on their victim, also they must confess sincerely and remorsefully while
being able to explain to why what they did was wrong. They should not be protected by family
and friends against legal actions. This will only further the offenses that occur, while violating
against other victims. Enabling offenders is the most dangerous decision that anyone can make,
and the protectors become part of the violations. It does not matter the status because sexual
offenders come from all walks of life, and must be held accountable at all costs, and someone’s
status should never hinder a person from reporting the event if a violation has occurred
(Balswick, 2008).

Balswick stated “It is disturbing that the United States ranks as one of the more rape prone

cultures” (p.261). The statistics show that one in six women are sexually assaulted in the United
States. It is sad that blame the victim has occurred, and the reason is that females are often more
sympathetic to this occurrence than males. Very often the victims dress will be an excuse for the
assault to have taken place.   There are many victims that are victimized twice by social, health,
mental health and legal systems that are supposed to help them.   There is a need of support from
family, friends, and spiritual helpers that can be safe and trusting.   There are not enough trained
advocates that are involved in the needed work of the churches. There is a stigma with victims
and offenders and as their stories are told they feel the churches are not a safe place to turn to.

The purpose of this paper is to raise the awareness of Churches lacking the proper training of

knowing how to deal with sexual brokenness and violations. Sexual abuse is a spiritual wound
that the Church should be prepared to deal with, but because of the stigma and distortion of how
sexual concerns are not to be heard, it has failed to see the damage of what denying these factors
has contributed to. (Miller, 1993) states “that a faith that ignores accountability both to God and
to others- is in trouble” (p. vii). The answers are no easy ones to provide, but the need is great
because the potential for victims is far too many. For the individual first, churches, every
denomination and every cultural society, it is the intent to challenge God’s people to awaken, act
and as Miller states “to get one’s house in order, to live accountability, and to prevent further
injury. The intent is to further the purposes of the church and communities to acknowledge that
sexual abuse occurs everywhere, and as servants in the fields there must also be
acknowledgement of what has been ignored, and the impending damages of where our cultural
views of sex have taken us and how they have been denied and ignored (Miller, 1993).

The message is an urgent one and it is of great relevance. Our faith and action can be

revitalized and redemption can occur for these victims that have lost their place and presence of
safety within our society. The cultural impact of sex has also influenced our cultural views over
the years and the Bible has not handicapped believers, it is the culture and distortion of the true
authentic of healthy human sexuality and how that should be handled and taught among our
members. There is a growing need of spiritual counselors, and also a biblical way to deal with
sexual brokenness. 50 to 60 percent of mental patients recorded in psychiatry have battled with
these problems of sexual abuse, and there are many that grow up to become offenders
themselves (Miller, 1993).

It is imperative that exposure takes place in order to prevent revictimization by families and

the systems that are in place. Whether it is recognized or not, revictimization occurs when
voices are silenced and swept under the rug. It is a calling to the Church to address sexual abuse
when it is occurring within its own ranks. Silence is the greatest perpetrator of all (Miller, 1993).

Honoring Vivian (my courageous friend that brought this every so clearly to my attention many
years ago.)

References

Balswick, J. K. (2008). Authentic Human Sexuality: An Integrated Christian Approach. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Block, H. (2011). Understanding Sexual Abuse by a Church Leader or Caregiver 2nd Edition. Canada: Mennonite Central Committee.

Diane Langberg, P. (2011). Trauma as a Place of Service. She's My Sister, 1-5.

Ferree, M. C. (2010). No Stones. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Laaser, M. R. (2004). Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Miller, D. A. (1993). How Little We Knew. Lafayette, LA.: Prescott Press.

Patrick Carnes, P. (2001). Out of the Shadows. Center City: Hazelden.

Are you an enabler? Coming to terms with Co addiction and the cycle of enabling.

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There are multiple ways that a co addict can enable an addict. According to Carnes (2001), there are many examples of how this can occur. Many co addicts will hide the behavior of the addict. Often times co addicts will try to protect the addict from having to deal with consequences due to their behavior or actions. This could include lying, or covering up for them. Very often co addicts will justify why the addict is behaving this way. There can be grand explanations of rationalizations by the co addict to deny or overlook what is occurring with an addict. Co addicts often feel responsible for the addicts behavior or actions. There can be a great deal of self righteous criticism that is directed towards the addict by the co addict.

Martyrdom is part of the co addicts cycle in their distortion to become indispensable to the addict. The addict in turn fails to meet all the co addict expectations which is next to impossible. While the addict fails to recognize the needs of the co addict they repeat feelings of disappointed expectations and this becomes frustrating for the co addict because they simply cannot shape up the addict. There is a misconception that sex is the most important sign of love. Co addicts often validate the unworthiness that the addict is already feeling underneath. In the process of the co addicts preoccupation of the addict and their problems, it becomes unmanageable for the co addict to take care of themselves. Co addicts have a desperate need to feel loved and often times were not given that as a child (Carnes, 2001).

Co addicts are often dominating or nurturing in nature and attempt to control others around them. Addicts themselves often rely upon co addicts to pick up the peices and in most cases they are more than willing to do so. There is a high resentment that is formed between the two relationships. The addict feels that they cannot live up to the co addicts expectations and also feels a deep sense of guilt for not being able to meet those needs. This becomes an unending cycle of enabling and also the co addict looses complete control over their lives because they are totally engulfed in the reflections of the addict which makes it impossible to deal with their own problems that need to be resolved (Carnes, 2001).

The conclusion is that we in no way control the actions of another person. Very often in helping others we step into a God like role that we simply cannot fill. In doing so co addicts loose or have no personal identity outside of the addict. The addict must be accountable and in many cases the co addict will prevent that from occurring. Many co addicts are simply in denial and feel that they can help the addict through anything without the addict being accountable for their actions. This is an impossible cycle and there is no help, and many times continues out through the life of the addict never being accountable. The co addict hinders the recovery process, and can prolong an addict from being responsible for their choices and actions.

References:

Carnes, Patrick (2001), Out of the Shadows; Understanding Sexual Addiction

Reaction to No Stones, Women who have been redeemed of Sexual Addiction

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It seems to be out of the norm to hear about sexual addiction among women, but Marnie C. Ferree demonstrates courageous strength in identifying with what many women have been dealing with since the beginning of time. The paper is a reaction to what was demonstrated in the book of No Stones: Women redeemed from sexual addiction. Several topics will be addressed such as the problems surrounding sexual addiction, family dynamics, treatment of sexual addiction and the role of the church. A personal outlook will address how Marnie Ferree addresses the issues of sexual addiction among women.

Introduction

No stones had a profound impact on how I viewed a women’s story of sexual addiction. I feel the book is a blessing to anyone that struggles with any type of addiction, especially women dealing with sexual addictions. The book gave me a different outlook of sexual abuse and women that carry those wounds. Feree will demonstrate our views and they seem to be very informative on thoughts of abandonment issues along with what is defined in our psyche as sexual abuse. She shares her story of a friend that never hurt her, but violated her for 15 years. In my view of sexual addiction there would be pain and physical harm, but in Feree’s case her view of her abuser was of gentleness and compassion. The greatest impact was to view a little girl that was being fondled in a gentle way, and in her story of recovery her view was a picture of rape and physical harm and she lived in silence of her violations, but she longed for the intimacy that came from her predator. It gave me a totally different view of what many other women go through that become addicted to this type of abuse. I see a clearer vision in my understanding of how to empathize with this woman, and I feel the book will give me greater understanding in the lives of women that struggle and act out in this confusing way. I could feel the sense of abandonment and the lack of intimacy that she shared in her struggle through recovery. The book is a powerful tool, and one that I believe can lead to redemption. While the church has slept through the process of this terrible thing that has plagued our culture, this is a riveting story of how grace and restoration came to a very broken and confused family. I applaud her courage to disclose her brokenness and to help others come to a greater understanding, and to open the eyes and ears of Christians. I hope I will be able to use this information in my counseling process and I believe the book has definitely given me a great sense of understanding. Not to condone the sin, but to understand how this can happen and the empathy I need to address it in my professional career.

The Problem

Feree (2010) gives her personal experience of what she believes to be sexual addiction in women. She addresses the issues of our culture and the model of how our views have been distorted about how it seems acceptable behavior for boys to pursue sex, but the views of girls is quite the opposite and is addressed as perverted. In her view women are not supposed to enjoy sex. Feree is very clear that sexual addiction is a sin, but it is also a deeper level of a disease. It does not take away the responsibility of the damage that is causes and the accountability of what the addict has done in their sinful behavior.

Many sex addicts have been abused themselves. The majority of them have abandonment issues, and are lacking intimacy in their relationships. Many women will not address the issue of sexual addiction because the label is so horrible that most of them will continue to live in silence. The shame of living a double life is overwhelming. Signs of sexual addiction are depression, marital or relationship issues, substance abuse, eating disorders and personality disorders that are closely associated to sexual addiction (Feree, 2010).

After learning about neurochemistry and how the brain responds in the areas of pleasure associated with sex, I agree that the addiction becomes a disease when left untreated. Sex becomes similar to a hit of cocaine that provides the addict with the amount of dopamine to allow that fixation. We have no control over pleasure areas of our bodies and in the event of sexual abuse of a child, I think it is possible over a period of time that addiction can become a disease even to a child that has been violated in this way and it continues in adulthood despite the shame.

Family Dynamics

There is a picture of what sexual abuse looks like to many people, and in many cases the violations are nonviolent. Most sexual abuse occurs with people that are very close to the family. In my personal experience when I was a child I was violated and it was a painful and discomforting experience and I was able to tell my mother. The assault did not occur but a few times, but it did have an impact on my views of what healthy sexuality truly was. In the case of Feree is was a man that worked with her father in ministry and he never hurt her, and in her mind he was being loving to her and it continued for a process of fifteen years. Many girls are vulnerable and do not understand or discern the nature of sex at such a young age. They are innocent and have no escape in many of these situations. The lasting impact is the longing for intimacy and the love of a lost parent or in Feree’s case; a father that devoted his life to ministries, that was never there and losing her mother at such an early age of three. My views of a sexual addict would be someone that caused physical pain and there was no comfort or enjoyment. In Feree’s case her perceptions were that this person was compassionate and loving to her (Feree, 2010).

There are healthy and unhealthy families. In many situations secrets are not allowed to be talked about and swept under the rug. Also unhealthy families will disallow negative feelings and they are not to be entertained. It is to pretend the problem does not exist. Many unhealthy families blame the child and accuse them of having a dirty mind. Unhealthy families blame others and never take responsibility for the wrongs.

Treatment of Sexual Addiction

Feree addresses tools of recovery and she suggests to pray daily and attend twelve step meetings, and to work the steps. These steps consist of making peace with God, making peace with ourselves, making peace with others and maintaining the peace and giving it away. Reading recovery literature is helpful; journal writing and establishing accountability consisting of a sponsor, and a recovery network. Sexual addicts should seek to establish physical boundaries avoiding sex and mental emotional boundaries while enforcing those boundaries and continuing recovery. I agree that the twelve step program is a start on the road to healing and redemption. I feel that after reading this book that it added a great deal to my learning experiences and feel more confident to approach sexual addictions than I did before, and understand a great deal more than before (Feree, 2010).

Sexual Addiction and the Church

The church can no longer turn its eye’s away from sexual addiction. It is a growing problem within the church itself. We have a religious perception that sex is wrong or an ugly subject. There are mixed messages for women to look attractive, but then condemns them for having sex. There is a false sense that Christian marriages do not have sexual problems, and this is simply not the case. Girls are taught that we must be good in order to be worthy of love, and if we are sexual we are bad. Mixed messages are displayed that we must be sexual in order to be lovable. We have been taught to value our woman hood by how desirable we are sexually or romantically. Feree stated “Rather than offering grace and help to struggling believers, the church has usually been quick to shoot it’s wounded as Charles Swindoll describes it (p.55).

The church has failed miserably and it is time to stop throwing stones at women that struggle with sexual addictions. They need to be encouraged toward educated approaches that have been proven to help (Feree, 2010). I would have to agree with Feree completely on the stance that the church has taken. To understand healthy sexuality there are biblical principles that teach us the meaning and God never demonstrated that sex was a shameful thing in the committed area of relationships between a man and woman. Our distorted perceptions of misdirected thoughts of sex I feel may have contributed to the problem. There is a great need for help in these areas and to provide the same type of encouragement that Jesus did when he dealt with the issues of women that were caught in adultery. He told us that he did not come to condemn the world, but to save that which was lost. Sexual addiction is a dark place and instead of throwing stones, we need to help these broken people get the spiritual counseling that is needed in order for them to enter recovery. Grace and mercy are extensions that Christ has shown to each of us, and we have all fallen short.

I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to read and examine some of the processes of sexual addictions and to be reminded of how Jesus viewed women and never condemned them, even in the very act which they were caught. We can no longer ignore those that long to reach out for help. We must equip ourselves with the Holy Spirit having greater understanding of God’s word and how we are supposed to respond to the broken and abandoned. It is my prayer that though books like No stones we can become aware of the damages we do by turning those that are hurting away.

References

Ferree, M.C. (2010) No stones; Women redeemed from sexual addiction

Comparing Controversial Issues of Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality

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Comparing Controversial Issues of Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality

Introduction

There is a growing trend of controversy on many sensitive subjects concerning sexuality and how they should be addressed. The media and information technology has added a great deal of influence of how lives are viewed and pressures of what is acceptable, verses what can be damaging concerning sexuality. It seems there is a vast array of confusion about what is a healthy and authentic, verse what is harmful and leads down a path of brokenness and destruction. These areas will be examined and debated while seeking a healthy and whole recourse of how God intended us to live our lives to be whole and with purpose.

I. Singleness, Teenage Pregnancy

According to Amanda Gardner (September, 2012) from USA Today, she explains what a poor job our society has done teaching our children sexual education in the public school system, and how parents have neglected to talk to kids about sex, because of their embarrassment on the subject. Gardener feels that contraceptives or the discussion of STD’s has not been addressed enough with the young, nor have teenagers been directed to wait and have sexual relations later on. There are many ad campaigns on erectile dysfunction but no birth control options and emergency contraception available. According to Gardner are we doing things backwards? She expresses that the media is unhealthy and not realistic and promotes sex that does not address the consequences of sexual behavior. (Gardner, Amanda, 2012).

It is very true that parents have been ashamed to discuss sexual experience with their children and it is not productive to just tell them no. There is much more to human sexuality and the media is collecting upon the vulnerabilities of our youth. I do not however agree that birth control is the option to teach our children what sexual purity is and why it is important for them to abstain even though their experience of raging hormones are a part of their development. This issue is nothing to be ashamed of, but our children need to be prepared and understand what is happening to them, or it can become uncontrollable. The church has an obligation to teach our children about these topics as well and we need to identify with them and understand them as God does. There are consequences of the wrong choices that we make if we are not acting in accordance with the Holy Spirit. “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4 3:8 (NIV). This does not mean that sex is bad but it was meant for committed relationships and ordained by God, the point remains that if restraint is not studied or explained it can spiral into a life time of repeated destruction.

What is failed to be addressed is that birth control is offering teens a way to continue into destructive patterns that allow them to have no consequence of what they are doing. What needs to be identified is recognizing that behavior, one’s attitude or activities that are not driven by or grounded in committed, caring, trusting love for the other person and it is self-centered. While the media has focused on teenage peer groups that are influenced around the consumption of fulfilling a physical desire without considering the consequences of the choices that are made, the disheartening truth of legalized abortion comes into question with many teenage girls who possibly do not consider the consequences of what may occur later in life or the lasting results of the guilt, murder and psychological damage that has occurred. There is a pattern of not being accountable for the decision that one might be making which leads into a more painful area of destruction. Many times abortion is used as a birth control, so I think it is unwise to focus on education of birth control as abortion is also considered one of those options. It can be desensitized as birth control, but as believers we clearly understand it is murder, but the prochoice option is that you have the right to destroy another life that cannot defend itself legally. This continues to take focus away from responsibility and God’s original plan. This is greatly debated across the country today as there have been over twenty million abortions performed since 1973 Roe Verses Wade. (Clinton, Tim HS 502). It is apparent that if we continue to focus upon birth control many more lives of the innocent will have to pay the price for our irresponsible choices. I strongly disagree this approach only creates a more destructive path.

Post Abortion Syndrome can last for many years leaving the mother feeling that she will never be worthy again. Many women do not have the ability to process the painful emotions that come from abortion. It can be parallel to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many times girls are coerced by their family or father of the baby. The average age that girls are the most vulnerable are between the ages of 14-24. While we certainly do not want to promote abortions to women, if this has occurred it is very important that they know there is no sin
God cannot and does not want to forgive. All of these situations come into play when dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. There are options like adoption that would be a better course of action than simply destroying a life.

In an article written by (Savage, Lauren, June 2011), she states “Just because we are not ready or able to commit to someone emotionally, does not mean we cannot fulfill our desires sexually. Or are friends with benefits designed to crash and burn? This demonstrates what many young singles are facing today that are not willing to commit, but have sexual desires that are longing to be met. She basically states that sexual bonds only are not appropriate for everyone but if your emotions are up for it there are rules that should be followed. The most important thing is to make sure you are only interested in a physical aspect of the connection. Do not mistake sex for intimacy or deeper connections and if those feelings start to occur end the relationship immediately. (Savage, Lauren, 2011).

This is a primary example of where the media has taken us. The views here are we can be physical beings and there is no need for intimacy. Many fail to understand that sexuality and spirituality are not separate. Sexuality is a definite expression of spiritual intimacy.
We know this to be true because it is reflective of a relationship with God. Here we can examine that after the fall of man sexuality became selfish. Sex was designed so that we would meet each other’s needs not that we would seek to desire our own selfishly. Many singles are acting out of loneliness, but sexuality involves much more than having sex. This type of attitude goes hand in hand with the development of evolution and it will be addressed later in the paper, but this type of attitude goes against creation and how God created us. This attitude usually ends in pain because it is not meant to separate sexual desire from intimacy. It is important to know that God can redeem anything and also to know we are created above the animals in God’s own image which separates us from other creeping things. We are not an accident or a part of natural selection, but were purposed and willed in God’s divine image.

The church should be prepared to dispense grace when it comes to sexual problems. It is very important to have leadership that is comfortable with their own sexuality. Heart change is a part of reconciliation and redemption back to God that does not want us to suffer or injure ourselves. True love is worth waiting for and it is a healing experience to understand the true covenant of marriage that is often ignored by simple saying just say no. It is important to come to the realization that God is in the business of making things beautiful and are not meant to be shameful. Even the church has a misconception of the gift of healthy sexuality. Very often even Christians have a shameful view of sex. Sex is meant to be an intimate experience with a committed covenant that involves intimacy and wholeness in a loving manner towards each other and God (Hawkins, Ron HS 103). In the views of evolution lust is more than willing to take over the views of covenant marriage and try’s to focus on urges to pro create and while we were created physically and to have those needs, we were created in his own image and it was a purposeful one that requires self-control. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and keeps us connected to our Creator. The fall of man was because of his lack of self-control, and we have been fighting against these sins since the beginning of time.

In Psychology Today (Judith Orloff, August 2011) discusses the areas of love and lust and questions whether we understand the difference. Signs of lust include one that is totally focused upon their looks and body. You want sex but have no interest in conversation; you are lovers but not friends. She addresses signs of love which include; you enjoy quality time together other than having sex. Both listen to each other’s feelings and attempt to make each other happy. Both people motivate each other to be better people. You want to meet each other’s family and friends. (Orloff, 2011) states “Pure lust is bases solely on physical attraction and fantasy, it often dissipates when the real person surfaces.” While I agree with the information from the article there is not much stated about union of a covenant that was never meant to be broken, or how we should address those issues of lust that have seemed to lead us down the wrong path in our relationships. Eros is a passionate love that can be compared to lust that is only temporary. It often involves erotica and burning desire that should only be demonstrated in a committed relationship, because very often this type of emotion plays out and the relationship will end. In the communion of marriage there is freedom to play and have the greatest passion towards each other. A Godly relationship is a cord of three and God has given them the joy of freedom to desire and please one another in complete fulfillment.

II. Pornography, Extra Marital Affairs and Cohabitation

The media has promoted a false sense of sexuality and most women have been portrayed as objects to be lusted after which has lead our culture to have little value of the purpose of committed covenants established by God. We might have to ask ourselves what is the price of perfection and who is defining that definition. Women have been placed upon the advertisement billboards in entertainment and we have to wonder has the exploitation improved in our era? Sadly since media has demonstrated this idea our culture has taken on the same attributes(Stephanie Berberick, 2010).

Men often compare women in their personal relationships to what they perceive in the media whether it be television, magazines or billboards. This has led to drastic increases in plastic surgeries, an increase in sexual assaults, along with many eating disorders. (Berberick, 2010) stated, “Many women find they are not happy with themselves or their bodies and the media machine is pushing more images that refuse to let women find peace.” (p.5, pg. 1). In our culture women are instructed how to behave, how to dress and apply makeup and what the world perceives her body should look like and how they are to treat their lover. There is a great deal of exploitation especially in advertising which makes it almost impossible to escape. It reduces women to a collection of body parts and gives an effect that they are less than human. It seems to be a popular stance for women to have as many sexual partners as possible and if you can sell your sexiness then you have the power to do anything. When behaviors are modeled in this form pornography is adopted into the equation that can create long lasting damage and destruction upon a women’s ability to keep up the pace and compete with visualizations that come from pornography. We are sending the wrong signal when sex becomes competitive, because whoever hooks up with the most boys becomes the coolest girl. Men begin to develop thinking patterns that women are playthings. More women are suffering from depression, eating disorders, rape and discontentment to model a visual standard that is impossible to follow. Sadly while trying to keep up the pace of sexy or desirable intimate relationships are damaged and lose their meaning and the result follows high risk behaviors that are self-destructive (Stephanie N. Berberick, 2010).

According to (Joshua Scott, 2012), from Men’s Health magazine men admit when they view hard core pornography it will surface in dreams and also in intimate sexual relations with other women. Men carry images of erotic images and some experience anxiety in their relationships with their partners because they cannot separate those images from their partners. Evolution believes that men have evolved to pursue busty women who are more than happy to engage in casual sex. Pornography offers easy access to commitment free sex with multiple partners. This behavior can be dangerous and can reinforce behavior in the same way that cocaine would. When men think below the belt line they have little judgment and do not make good decisions. Men that view pornographic material are more likely to have extra marital affairs. Scott (2012) quoted “We’re being impacted all the time by what we consume with our eyes and ears and brains. There is no question about it.” (p. 5). Men deny that pornography has this effect upon them but statistically this is not true. According to Scott he states “when you have an orgasm, there’s a release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone, presumably to bind you to your partner, if your viewing pornography, your partner is the screen in front of you.” (p. 7).

Men are struggling against many issues as well, such as guilt, fear and discouragement and this blocks their abilities to worship God and hold their head up high according to Steve Arterburn (HS 402). We have a standard to live by and men have to decide what that will be for their lives. The world’s standard allows what two people agree upon and the church’s standard is to try harder and to be good. There is a worldly standard and one that was created by God and we are forever struggling between them. Sexual integrity comes from one person and that person is a man’s wife. To make a commitment with the eyes is to bounce one’s eyes away. When this occurs a man’s wife will be more attracted towards him. A husband will honor God and his wife and a man’s wife will begin to connect with him (Arterburn, Steve HS 402).

In an article of Ethic health (April, 2013), there is expression of extra marital affairs being common among men and women both. Where once there were divine connections in earlier times but because of modern times and changes in culture life is overpowered by materialism and family is only considered as a social structure. If marriage is damaged and strained because of neglect then extramarital affairs is a concern. When two people can no longer communicate it can be a critical risk factor. According to Power in Data (Alice G.
Walton, Feb, 2012) identifies that marriage is a big commitment. There is a fear factor that is determining more acts of cohabitation because the anxiety of what happens in divorce. Co habitation makes it easier to end the relationship with out the financial strain of ruin. It seems the primary reason is the fear of divorce. NBC News reported (Jo Nel Aleccia, May, 2013) that women are adapting more to cohabitation relationships and are lasting longer according to a government study. The article expresses that it is becoming more widely acceptable to be in a committed relationship without the legal document to bind it. Cohabitating is making sure that the women were ready for the challenges of marriage.

People are in constant spiritual warfare, and we see that fear of divorce is the primary reason for cohabitating and pressures that can lead up to being unfaithful in committed relationships. We sincerely need to learn Godly desires in our healthy relationships, and sex was created to be intimate and fulfilling and not something dirty and to be ashamed to discuss. We should be open in our communications about sex that leads to long lasting intimacy. Our past culture had a perception that sex was disgusting and that is what led to the fall of Adam and Eve and this is simply a fable and untrue. Sexuality was created as a gift by God that is to be a joyful experience and not a shameful act. Most people that fall into temptation are seeking intimacy that is lacking in their committed relationships. We can no longer avoid the topic of sex because it is vital that we see it as God see’s it and it is not an ugly act, it was meant for pleasure among two people to please one another in a committed relationship. (Laaser, Mark, HS 102).

III. Homosexuality

According to David P. Barash (Nov. 2012), from the Chronicle of Higher Education homosexuality is viewed in the natural selection process through evolution. Statistics show that homosexual men produce only 20 percent of children compared to heterosexual men. This article is led by science and biology but is clearly speaking on the terms of evolution. It has been an amazing journey to see how much of the evolution process in engrained in our culture that fuels our sexual preferences and identifies. According to David Haskell (March 2013) Haskell quoted “Stepping from the northern border of the mall into the Smithsonian’s National History we come face to face with our great ape ancestors.” Apes once shared homosexual tendencies and this is the theory of a natural occurrence with homosexuality. We can clearly see throughout the conclusions of the paper that evolutionary thoughts have taken over the views of having a loving creator that endorsed a man and woman to become one flesh. In researching over the materials that I have gathered I discovered something hidden that I was completely unaware of. We will address biology verses creation among those that struggle with homosexuality and this will conclude my discoveries of learning some of the hidden factors of damage that evolution has caused in every facet of sexuality.

It is true that many people struggle with these tendencies but just because someone struggles with attraction of the same sex does not mean they are homosexual. Many do not choose to experience this behavior but there are choices about what to do with these tendencies through God’s power and mercy that is made available to them. We can help those acknowledge those experiences without integrating them into a gay lifestyle. They can be encouraged to meet physical and emotional needs in other areas. Mark Yarhouse quoted that “counseling alone is not enough to change someone’s lifestyle. The power to change results from a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not the tendency that can be helped, but one area that can be controlled through spiritual counseling and help from others that have experienced the same tendencies and have found sanctification in there recovery.

We have briefly identified with many controversial issues relating to our culture that affects our ideals about sexuality. Believers in Christ have often injured others or often ignored those that were dealing with the emotional effects of sin. This has given way to the form of media and culture to establish these patterns while the church as slipped sexuality under the carpet because of the shameful feelings that we as believers may all be struggling with. Sex is not a shameful act and until we can properly identify these issues according to how God identifies with them we cannot help these broken areas that desperately need to be redeemed.

References

Aleccia, JoNel (May 5, 2013) the new normal: Cohabitation on the rise, study finds

Barash, David (Nov 2012), The Evolutionary Mystery of Homosexuality

Ethnic Health (April 2013), Extramarital affairs and its possible solutions

Featherstone, Liza (June 2012) You, Me and Porn Makes Three

Gardner, Amanda (Sept 2010) Teens “unhealthy sex exposure blamed on TV, music,
Web

Haskell, David G. (March 29, 2013) Nature’s case for Same Sex Marriages

Orloff, Judith (August 15, 2011) Psychology Today; Lust vs Love: Do you know the difference.

Savage, Lauren (June 2011) Life 2 Point Oh; No strings attached: Does Sex
Without Commitment Work?

Scott, Joshua (April 2013) Men’s Health; Is Porn Harmful?

Walton, Alice (Feb 2012) Power in Data; The Marriage Problem: Why many are choosing cohabitation instead.

Precepts of Sexuality

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Precepts of Sexuality

Sexuality has been distorted on many levels in our modern culture. Christians face a great deal of spiritual warfare around the subject of sexuality. This is not the way that God intended for it to be, but since the fall of Adam and Eve there has been a shameful cloud that has been harboring over views concerning sexuality. Sex was created by God himself, and he ordained it from the beginning of creation. We seriously need to guard our hearts over these attacks so we can learn to fulfill our God-given desires through godly healthy relationships (Laaser, M. HS 102).

Our present culture has transformed the meaning of sex into an economic craze of immorality. Character has not been considered by the greed of the wealthy that have progressed into a vacuum destroying the moral value of sexuality. It is a problem that all people face because of the desensitizing media that has pointed in the direction of sexual exploitation. Godly sexuality is meant to bring us into an authentic relationship through communicating, making a connection between each other, and communion in marriage (Balswick & Balswick, 2003).

Authentic sexuality is not shameful, and God created it to be natural. God made man and woman to respond to one another in intimate ways as part of His sovereign plan in the communion of marriage. Godly relationships treat one another with honor and deep respect, and this union was not meant to be exploited by shame because God fully intended for the act of sex to be for enjoyment. Less than one hundred years ago couples were told not to engage in too much intercourse because the act of sex is what lead Adam and Eve down the wrong path. Sex was viewed as disgusting or shameful, and this is not what the scriptures show us to be true. This is a direct act of how culture, even among the church can develop misconceptions that are invaded by culture (Balswick & Balswick, 2003).

Sin can distort the act of sex itself and this is a direct correlation of the fall of man. We no longer live in a perfect state, and with the fall came turmoil that effected every perception of our lives. While sexuality was God’s gift designed by a man and woman under a covenant the distortion has led us away from God’s divine plan because of our fallen nature. Sin has disrupted our relationships in many areas of jealousy, slander, murder, neglect and guilt since that time of deception in the garden. It was the disobedience that led to sin and not the willful communion of sex between Adam and Eve. Sex was created by God to be enjoyed between man and woman by their covenant to God and each other (Balswick & Balswick, 2003).

According to Hawkins, R. HS 103, we as believers have to come to the understanding that God created beautiful things, and sex was not meant to be a shameful act between committed couples. The church as failed to teach Godly principles on the subject of sex, and parents have avoided training their children in the understanding of healthy sexuality. The subject of sex has been swept under the rug and I feel a reason for this is because of the misconception of culture and the shame the church has portrayed on the subject. An important thing to remember is God created sex for our good and our pleasure, and it was not intended to be an evil act the way that the church has addressed it. God had a plan between a man and woman to enter into a covenant with him, and the two would become one flesh and created sex to fulfill relationships with intimacy and a closer walk with God.

We can read in Genesis 1:26-31 and Song of Solomon 2:24-25 how God sanctified His purposes and it is a huge misconception to belief that sex is an evil act. The church has failed to teach these principles, while ignoring the subject under the perceptions of embarrassment and shame. Believers strife to abide by the fruit of the spirit and one important aspect is self-control. If we have no self-control it can lead to ungodliness and causes constrains in all aspects of life. This clearly does not demonstrate extinction, nor is shame considered to be
God’s logic or reasoning. There is no satisfaction in the appetite of sex outside of a covenant and God’s heart is through the act of marriage and commitment. Genesis 2: 18-25, Proverbs 5: 1-23 (Hawkins, Ron HS 103).

There is an understanding of why God instituted a covenant and this clearly needs to be understood in our modern culture. Modern sexuality has become distorted by the viewing of media and cultural values that lead to sin. If sex is taken out of the protection of marriage, relationships become further apart sexually than ever before, so when God designed his plan he also had our wellbeing at the closeness of his heart so our lives would be created in wholeness.

There are values in relationships for making sex a priority and it would include intimacy in the relationship and time should be scheduled for the fulfilling of these needs. God is creative and we should also be creative when loving our partners as long as both consenting (Hart, A., Hart, C., Weber & Taylor HS 105).

Until we understand these important precepts towards sexuality, there will be little change in our modern culture. Until the church makes a stand to defend sexuality as pureness and Godly in a covenant relationship there will be a distortion that among believers sex is evil or an undesirable subject. It is the ultimate responsibility of believers to speak truthfully and scripturally about the precepts concerning sexuality and how God intended us to have healthy and fulfilling relations in our marriages that create wholeness and completeness in our lives.

Men need to feel respected, and women have a need for quality relationships and through our modern culture we have seen the damage that has been created through the structure of our families and distorted views. There is a need for sacred trust. Ephesians 5:33 explains how a woman needs to feel loved. When this happens the husband in turn will have a more responsive partner if he demonstrates that love towards her (Mayo, J. HS 205). Russ Willington (HS 206) addresses a critical point that we should clearly understand as he stated “Christians who live in bondage to shame are missing the freedom and pleasure that God intended for them to experience. This can lead to sad consequences outside of a covenant, because sex will never be complete without the nurturing of true intimacy that is ordained by God through our love towards him. It leads to bitterness, betrayal, broken families and self-condemning shame. He clearly designed sexuality to be enjoyable and not something to confuse with evil. He also understood the complications of what would occur if self-control was not understood in the covenant of marriage. As believers we have failed to give these warnings. We often speak of sexuality as an evil entity distorted with shame, but that was never God’s intention. God designed it for our pleasure and to also be fruitful.

Relationships have to be nurtured and not neglected. While working on our lives together we have to look at the positive things in our partner, and laugh with them and also learn how to touch without it being sexual at times. God does not abandon us without instructions and clearly explains it in the writings of the Song of Solomon. There are clear instructions on how to avoid pain in our relationships. Chris McCluskey (HS 202), stated “Couples who learn how to enjoy the spirit of the act of making love, have a unique “super glue” that holds their marriage together and glorifies God through their oneness.”

In my conclusion of sexual precepts there is one very important thing that every believer needs to consider about sexuality; The church and culture have mislead the understanding that sex is a behavior, and it is up to each individual to choose in the appropriation, however; the Bible teaches something different. God created sexuality and it is about the whole person, and not just a behavior or choice. When our young generation struggle in these areas it is up to believers to help them understand what is behind these natural urges and drives and not to destroy these occurrences with shame and distortions. God hardwired men and women to be in union with one another in a commitment of marriage. If we cannot explain these things to the young, they will be distorted in their views of sexuality and will be trodden under by the popularity of modern sexuality that has no structure of morality. While we steer towards the marriage vows being destroyed by the media, what are we doing in our churches to address these issues scripturally. Just say no is not enough. We have to teach and evaluate the outcome of what can occur when those natural feelings are out of control.

There are consequences and reasons why God ordained a covenant between a man and a woman. It was to create wholeness and trust that leads to a fulfilling life in Him, and when we engage those natural experiences with out that bond of union, our relationships are destroyed and the scars are left with shame and unworthiness. I think we can do better. The media is winning and destroying the moral character of the covenant of marriage as we sit quietly and refuse to look at these Godly precepts. We can no longer ignore these things. Judgment starts at the house of God and we can no longer ignore these serious issues and the sadness of their outcome.

References:

Balswick Judith K.., Balswick Jack O. (2003) Authentic Human Sexuality;An Integrated

Christian Approach 2^nd Edition

Hawkins, Ron (HS 103) God’s Great Idea: Toward a Theology of Sexuality

Laaser, Mark (HS 102) The Seven Desires: The Roots of Healthy Relationships

Mayo, Joseph M.D, Mayo, Mary Ann, MA (HS 205) Sex after 40: Menopause and Aging

McClusky, Chris (HS 202) The Spirit of the Act: Having Sex or Making Love?

Rosenau, D., Taylor, D., Sytsma, M. (HS 204) Battling Disorders of Desire

Willingham, Russ (HS 206) Sexual Healing: Breaking Free From Guilt, Shame, and the Past

Prescription Drugged Nation under Corporate Deceit.

2013-03-10T18:56:00.000-05:00

Prescription Drugged Nation under Corporate Deceit

When prescribed medications are misused there is a great danger of physiological dependence as well as psychological dependence. There is a growing concern of those taking prescription medications for other reasons of which it was prescribed. This would include taking too much of a drug, taking it too often, or taking it longer than it should be taken. This would include; increasing the tolerance of a drug, along with withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued, or the repeated use of it as a way to avoid withdrawal (SAMHSA, May 2006).

There are three groups that are of vital concern in the abuse and addiction of prescription medications. The first group would be the elderly and it is very hard to estimate, but one study was conducted and the determination found that up to 11% percent of older women are abusing or not correctly taking prescription medications. Baby boomers that abuse prescription medications are expected to increase because of the growing population of adults in this generation. There are currently no assessment instruments that are presently being used to diagnosis drug abuse for the elderly. The abuse of prescription medications includes inappropriate prescribing, and lack of monitoring of health care professionals (Culberson & Ziska, 2008).

The second group would include school age children in grades 7-12. The surveys that have been conducted conclude that 50% of this young age group believes there is no concern in abusing prescription medications and 30% believe that pain relievers are not addictive. When the objective is to enhance mental or physical capacity the adverse effects can be ignored (Hernandez & Nelson, 2010). There are increasing amounts of younger school age children that are committing more crime, also there is a huge rise in suicide, and there is known evidence of the black labeling box that warns of the known side effects. Suicidal thoughts are one of the main concerns in psychotropic drugging (Hernandez & Nelson, 2010).

The third group would be the incarcerated, which would include all age groups that affect our growing society of the addicted criteria. Many offenders have a history of substance abuse that leads them into criminal activity. While there is still lack of treatment, many are given prescription medications to deal with issues that could be substance abuse problems, or they are dealing with dual diagnosis, and are not getting the proper treatment, or the resources to stay out of the revolving door of the prison systems.

Prescription drug abuse or misuse is becoming an epidemic, and it includes all age groups, but among the elderly it is believed to be the most ignored. While substance abuse affects our society as a whole; it is easier to understand the overcrowdings in the prison systems and yet there does not seem to be a slowdown of addicts being incarcerated. My primary focus would be a recovery program designed to benefit those that are imprisoned, and this would include all the age groups presented above.

A national survey was conducted in 2002-2004 and in the conclusions of the study most abuse of prescription abuse was found in rural, suburban, and small to medium populations. Prescription medications can be very difficult to detect in urine screenings because of their structural characteristics. There is growing evidence that leads to health problems, family life, the work force and law enforcement. There is a burden is our society today of non-medical prescription drug abuse and on a national level the cost was estimated at 9.5 billion in 2005. This abuse leads to more incarcerations, legal costs, correctional expenditures, and police resources. It also leads to increased morbidity and death among workers, and decreased productivity resulting in economic loss. There are further conclusions that lead to individuals being diagnosed having related comorbidities such as, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and other mental disorders (Hernandez & Nelson, 2010). David Levin (2012) stated “there have been more overdose deaths involving prescription drugs than heroin and cocaine since 2003, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2007, 27,000 unintentional drug overdose deaths occurred in the US” (p.1 p. 1).

In mental health occupations we often leave out spiritual aspects of the client’s life and many times this can be very important to them. Many of these clients want someone to believe in them, or to find something inside of them that they are unable to detect or see. Or to simply care about them and not just for the simple fact of it being a mental health worker’s job to do so. (Mark Ragins, MD, 2005).

According to Robert L. DuPont (2010) if the trend continues with prescription drug abuse the largest problem of the new century will be the misuse of controlled substances. It is not an easy task because in making changes in this area it will require improvements which will greatly affect the practice of medicine. (DuPont, 2010). Doctors will have to adhere to new changing laws or could possibly face losing their licenses.

There is a growing trend of patients that doctor shop in order to get their drug of choice. It is many times in the hands of the doctors to use their integrity and decide whether these drugs should be administered. There are so many known side effects, it can be overwhelming. With regular MD’s there is not enough training in substance abuse to deter some of the issues of prescription misuse that are being addressed. (Caplan, et al (2007). “The factors that predict recovery from benzodiazepine dependence are still being elucidated” (Caplan, et al, 2007 p. 367). Most therapies that are being used are cognitive behavioral therapies, to a supervised tapering regimen that is being helpful and also 12 step recovery programs. Between 1991 and 2001 prescriptions for stimulants rose from less than 2 million to over 10 million. It is also been noted that 6 % of school age children are on stimulants. (Caplan, 2007).

There are many grave warning that signal in a few short years, psychotropic drugging will affect most all areas in our lives. You may not understand the complete picture of what is happening but examining the problems we are facing, we have become a Godless nation and the subsitute that has taken over our empathy towards those that need spiritual deliverance is that of a medicine bottle. The quick fix generation of let's get this done quick, so we can take on the next one. All the while more addictions are occuring. The crime rate is increasing and very often in studies of mass shootings there is the underlying issue of the use of these pychotropical drugs. The drug problem far out weighs the debatable issue of gun control.

People do not generally have a chemical problem, they have life problems. The chemicals cover up the root so the bondage of sin is buried deep within them. In this aspect there is little hope for real healing or deliverance. God says we should not be slaves to men. This tragedy has happened while our eyes were closed and there are grave consequences of what will happen to rationality or our identity with our Creator.

There are billions of dollars collected yearly in the racket of psychotropic drugging. Deaths that have occured are overwhelming. Children being moved into the mass marketing of the corporations. On and on it's just another brick in the wall. (Pink Floyd). Prisons are being built around us enslaving those that believe they are free. The medical model is soliciting and buying into the scheme and deception of mass marketing of these dangerous drugs. While there is misuse, there is also misdiagnois that puts the patient is jeopardy of what could possibly occur when the chemicals alter there patterns of thinking. There is something terribly wrong when corporations decide that shyness is a disease and shy people must be medicated.

There is so much compiling evidence of what has occured, and the price one is willing to equate to it. I ask you to become aware, because whether you personally are struggling with this problem, we all know someone that we love that is going through this system of drugging. Share your information with them, along with prayer that they will at least take a closer look of other alternatives and the resources that are available for them to seek help.

Addressing the Church about Sexual Addiction

2013-02-10T18:51:00.001-06:00

Abstract

Laaser, Mark R. (2004), introduces us to the problems that are facing the world in the areas of sexual addiction. He not only addresses the world, but one of the most vital addictions that face the church as well. It appears that he is attempting to break the silence, so that we can address the problems instead of the body of Christ living in total denial of how these things have been ignored in the past. There has been silence, along with many cover ups to spare embarrassment and shame, and this has ultimately caused us to overlook serious problems inside the body of Christ. According to Laaser (2004), at least 40 percent of Pastors have examined pornography from internet connections from research that has been conducted. The church is still in denial and has little training in what we can do to reach out to those that are dealing with sexual addiction. The internet has widely opened the doors to bring pornography to those in the comfort of their homes. Laaser (2004), having experiences with his own sexual addiction has taken a courageous stand to offer help, and also exposure about the growing problem and healthy ways of dealing with this addiction instead of ignoring the problem. This book grappled me as I read through it, and I embraced the transparency to bring this issue out into the open so we can learn how to deal with these situations by no longer ignoring the impact of how it has affected the overall view of the clergy and our churches in modern times. The book gives a bold view of coming to terms with these issues among the body of Christ and the importance of not only addressing the problems we are facing, but recovery that can lead sexual addicts into healing and redemption if they are willing to admit the problem. As the body of Christ we can no longer live in the denial of the problems we are facing as a body of believers. There is a growing fear that if sexual addicts are found out they will be cast out and cut off among believers entirely. I see this book as an act of courage, and one that can no longer be denied.

Summary

Laaser, Mark R. (2004) brings a topic home to the body of Christ that has up until recently been considered the sin of secrecy. This book seems to be targeted towards the church and address that Christians are not exempt from sexual addiction. Laaser (2004) takes a bold stance that we can no longer deny the problems that are occurring inside the churches. It seems that it is a very difficult topic for most Christians to address, but not one that can be denied any longer. Laaser further stated, “The availability of pornography through mainstream media has increased dramatically. We are waging a war on sexual addiction and sexual morality-and we are losing.” (p.17).

According to Laaser (2004), pastors have been slapped on the hand and removed from their pulpits and sent to other churches where the problems persist. The idea of treatment was one that was basically never addressed. What most people fail to realize is that most sex addicts have been victims of childhood abuse. “Some sex offenders are sociopaths meaning they have no sense of right or wrong” (Laaser, 2004 p. 43). These disorders can cause them to act out in fits of rage, anger and a need to control others. Laaser discusses the issue of sexual addicts need to be boastful which can lead to self-righteous attitudes. They are constantly trying to convince others that they are good people.

Many people that suffer from sexual addiction do not acknowledge that it is that bad. Laaser explains that sexual addicts need to be confronted about their sexual behavior, and many need to account for the consequences for the pain they cause for themselves and others. Many sexual addicts want to be in the right group of people and can often become prejudiced to others outside the group they are connected to. This leads to self-righteous perceptions (Laaser, 2004). When problems like this arise among believers, sexual addicts believe they can be miraculously delivered from sexual temptations, and this is a misconception because if this were true, God would remove our ability to exercise free will. Laaser states “the bible is consistently teaching us that temptations give us opportunity to make moral choices for ourselves, and in turn this builds us up in strength” (p. 54).

Sexual addicts are not able to express themselves emotionally, nor will they allow themselves to be vulnerable towards others. (Laaser, 2004). Laaser furthered explained that sex addicts are far more comfortable speaking about their feelings with strangers more so than those they are close to. Many times they spend money on themselves and do not like to explain what happened to it, or to be held accountable in their overspending habits. “Sexual addicts need to learn how to deal with emotional and spiritual issues in healthy ways, before they can deal with the addiction itself” (Laaser, 2004 p. 58). Sexual addicts use humor that is constantly surrounded around sexual content, or telling sexual jokes, which can lead to sexual harassment. They currently are obsessed with pornography, and will often hide material to keep it from being found. Many signs can be seen if you know what to look for. Laaser states that “They tell sexual jokes; they touch people in ways that do not feel right, they give to many hugs, and they are looking, always looking” (p.67).

Laaser explains that our spirits and minds are filtered to everything we soak in and when former abuse has transpired the living water of Christ can be poured into this person, and it comes out still poisoned with beliefs that they are worthless. Until those wounds are identified and confronted these issues are not resolved, even after a person accepts the Lord (Laaser, 2004).

Laaser examines what he calls rules. 1). we don’t talk. 2). we don’t feel. 3). we minimize our problems. 4). we blame others for our problems. 5). we minimize our problems. This becomes apparent that we do not want to experience the pain of what needs to occur in order to lead us towards recovery and redemption. Laaser states “God can use our brokenness to be wonderful healers. The problem occurs when these people only know how to take care of others and have no idea of how to care for themselves” (p. 99). This creates imbalance, stress, anger and burn out. There are many broken people that have suffered abandonment, and while they may seem like they are physically present, they seem very cold and unresponsive or show a lack of concern. (Laaser, 2004). “Emotional incest can occur when an alliance if formed against one parent, and if the other parent does not prevent this or goes along with it, it creates a very painful feeling of abandonment” (p. 100).

Laaser addresses the roles of sexual addiction, which begins in unhealthy family dynamics, abuse, wounded self, shame, coping, surviving, and leading to sexual addiction. Laaser also addresses three spiritual questions. 1. Do you want to get well? 2. What are you thirsty for? 3. Are you willing to die to yourself? Sexual addiction is very prevalent in the churches today so we have to start to acknowledge the issues and stop pushing it under the rug, because it will fester as history has proven this time and time again.

Analysis

It seems very clear that Laaser is acknowledging the problem of sexual addiction and pleading throughout his writings that the church can no longer stand in denial of this destructive pattern that has come through sexual addiction. He brings a great deal of enlightment about how our childhood can lead into these destructive patterns when abuse has occurred, and can also be dangerous is they are not attended to. From what I have read, it seems that the author is trying to address the church to understand the causes, and to stop hiding an epidemic of destruction that is growing in magnitude by so much exposer in the modern world to sexual themes. Laaser is trying to address the causes of the problem, and also giving his audience clear warning signs of what can happen through denial. Laaser provides research that is quiet shocking in revealing that forty percent of pastors have viewed pornography on the internet. I think his argument is clear, but somewhat vague in the accountability of the addict themselves. Overall I find the book to be very resourceful, truthful and forth right. If the subject of sexual addiction is addressed, and is a relevant problem within our society then our churches should be the first ones willing to acknowledge the problems and to work towards healing and recovery. I am in agreement that in spite of the discomfort of the subject, it can no longer be hidden or swept away.

Conclusion

I think this book is a great tool to bring awareness of the causes of sexual addiction. While the church seeks to shun those people that have this disorder, we must examine the root cause of why these actions are carried out, and do all that we can to work together towards recovery and redemption for both victim and the one that invades that area of trust. I would like to see this book fall into the hands of every pastor, youth leader and Christian Counselor, to the abuser and the victim. While I think there was more attention focused on the addict, there needs to be closure for victims in these times of healing to understand how these horrible things can occur. One of the stages of victimization is forgiveness and it can be very hard, and can take many years to reach this point of recovery, but I think this book could be vital in helping someone find the strength to forgive. We often seek to deny those things that we cannot understand. While we may not ever be able to fully understand it, we need to be mindful of this problem and seek to understand why and how people fall into the vicious cycle of sexual addiction. Until we seek to understand the pain of others, we can’t help in their path to healing, recovery and redemption which lead to the way of the cross and knowing that the Lord bore all sins and died for all.

References

Laaser, Mark R. Dr. (2004) Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction

Prescription Drug Abuse "Science Verses Faith"

2013-01-31T12:40:00.000-06:00

Prescription drug abuse is my greatest concern in the culture that we are presently living in. There are many reasons that I have been alerted to this. The mass marketing of Pharmaceutical companies that I believe have an advertising effect to desensitizing people that they reflect back to their doctors a need for the medication. According to Inaba and Cohen (2007) there are an estimated 5 to 33 percent of our elderly that are on these drugs, and they have a misconception about sharing their drugs with others that they believe might have the same aliment. It is further stated that 1/3 of the elderly in intermediate care facilities are on long lasting meds that are not designed for the elderly. (Inaba & Cohen,2007).

Inaba & Cohen (2007) have stated, “America is in the midst of a prescription drug abuse epidemic, mainly opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines.” (p 4.1). It is shocking to learn that over 10,000 people die yearly because of this epidemic and millions are harmed from side effects that come from their usages, and we do not fully understand the full magnitude from these side effects long term. It is my concern that I am seeing no slowdown from the medical model or from the companies that are producing new amounts of them on a huge marketing scale.

Inaba & Cohen (2007) also express concern for the young. It is an alarming situation when children or adolescents can go to their parents medicine cabinets and retrieve dangerous drugs, and can even sell them to friends for up to ten dollars each. It seems that many oversight the issues concerning prescription drug abuse or the accidental injuries that can occur for the sake of its legality. Prescription drugs and still drugs, and we need to have a wider awareness of the dangers with more information given about the known side effects and how it’s going to determine the next generation along with the impact on our society for many years to come.

Drug addictions that control our lives compare a great deal to idols and strongholds that seem impossible to overcome. Spirituality can lead to redemption, while the medical model may only treat the symptom. The highest calling that is indicated to me in my journey to work with others that are struggling with these types of overpowering addictions is to bring hope through redemption, and not just a medication that merely will not cure, but only treat the top layer of the problem that may lie within the root. The Lord is able to deliver us from these things and not just put a bandaid on our wounds.

While the medical model struggles with the options that can cure the result, spirituality and the presence of the Lord in our lives gives us peace and redemption to know that will Him all things are possible, and we can overcome. I long for healing and though we may use medications to aid us along in that journey, we want to ensure those that we walk along side with that all hope is not lost, and our only option does not rest completely within the medical model. Our concern is to do no harm, so it is critical that we learn about these things while walking along side one of the road to recovery, not just the treatment alone.

References:

Cohen, W.E. & Inaba, D.S. (2007) Uppers, Downers, All Arounders 7^th Edition

2013-01-17T13:59:00.000-06:00

Biases that we Create According to our Personal Desires

In Luke 24:17, Jesus questions two of his followers about their conversation as he walks beside them along the road. The men did not recognize him while seeming sad and shocked at the same time that He had not heard of the crucifixion. They used doubting degrees of emotion expressing how they had hoped that He was the Messiah, who had come to rescue Israel in verse 21. Their latest report came from the women who stated His body was missing and the angel appeared to them saying that He is alive (22-23).

Jesus called the people foolish, because they did not conceive all the writings of the prophets. He told them that it was clearly foretold He must suffer. He explained to them the writings of the prophets. They did not recognize him until they broke break and He disappeared before them. In the culture the men were living in at this particular time the Jews were not accepting of a suffering Messiah. They wanted a reigning King to deliver them from the Romans. The Jews were only accepting of their personal needs in the present, and it blinded them spiritually to the true Messiah. Jesus was not what they had hoped for. The culture rejected him just as Isaiah 53 predicted that they would.

Through proper research we must seek a general approach according to Shaughnessy & Zechmeister & Zechmeister (2012). In our personal view of thinking we can mistake misleading evidence by not fully researching or clearly evaluating the claim. This was the exact point that Jesus made to the followers in (Luke 24:26). Intuition alone is not enough to base clear evidence without doing careful research, because very often we can be distorted by cognitive biases and should proceed to consider all of the evidence that is available. (Shaughnessy & Zechmeister & Zechmeister, 2012).

There appears to be a biased situation between Martha and Mary in (Luke 10:38-42). Martha is more concerned with the preparation of Jesus being in her home while her younger sister Mary sits at his feet hanging on every word He speaks. Martha grows frustrated and tells Jesus that he needs to tell Mary that she should help pitch in with what needs to be done. Jesus responds to Martha from Luke 10:41 “Martha, Martha, “the Lord answered you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha was blinded by preparing to have Jesus in her home more than the presence of His fellowship. The preparation of business had little value or concern over the blessing of fellowship with the Lord. The smaller details can blind us from the larger existence of the truth. Mary considered all things and discerned what was more important of the two.

References:

Shaughnessy & Zechmeister & Zechmeister (2012), Ninth Edition, Research Methods in Psychology.

Emotional Effects of Divorce on Children

2012-10-01T21:35:00.001-05:00

Emotional Effects of Divorce on Children

There are millions of children every year that suffer from the emotional effects of divorce. According to Baer, Hoffman & Mooney (2007) approximately 40 percent of marriages will end in divorce, and most divorces happen before children reach their eighteenth birthday. Most parents facing divorce want to protect their children, but often times avoiding the issue can add to their levels of stress. (Debord, K., 1994). Debord explains that it can be frightening for children, and although it may be hard for parents to explain; children need to be encouraged and parents need to help children adapt to their new life changing environment. Children are suddenly forced to face the reality that everything in their life is going to be different. One of the greatest fears of children is change. (Debord, K., 1994). Children can also experience developmental issues with attachment, and fear of abandonment. Research will show that divorce does not just affect children’s lives for a few years, but can follow them throughout their lives (Debord, K., 1994).

Children are faced with the loss of attachment, which can lead to self-blame in the early years of childhood, and they can also experience the fear of losing the other parent and who will take care of them. (Debord, K., 1994) Debord gives examples of children and different stressors that are created in separate age groups. These stages are based on the levels of a child’s understanding and perception in their particular age groups.

Debord clarifies that while infants may not understand the roles of conflict, they can react to the levels of stress that the parent demonstrates which could cause loss of appetite, more spitting up and fussiness. A toddler can understand that a parent is no longer in the home, but does not have the cognitive abilities to understand why. This can cause the child to be clingy, insecure and not be able to rest well. They may experience anger and not understand why they are mad, and toddlers have a fear of both parents being absent (Debord, K., 1994).

Preschool children do not have the cognitive abilities to understand what divorce or separation means. They know that one parent is no longer active as before, and this can cause uncertainty and the preschooler may resort to self-blame. Nightmares can also occur during the process and grief over the loss of the parent no longer in the home. (Debord, K., 1994).

Early elementary age children are aware of divorce, and that parents may not have the love they once did. They may experience feelings of deception, and has hopes that parents will reconcile. Early elementary age children experience feelings of rejection of the absent parent. They may also experience stomach problems along with headaches. They definitely fear what will become of their future (Debord, K., 1994).

Preteen and adolescents are able to understand a divorce, but can be very unaccepting of it. They can become disillusioned, experience anger, and also feel abandonment from the absent parent (Debord, K., 1994). Preteens will try to take advantage of stress levels of both parents. They can also appeal to take over the household, and this is a time period where drugs may evolve, because of the stresses caused from the divorce. Suddenly they may feel as if they have to mature to fast, and they also experience great stress of what the future will hold for them concerning college and financial aspects that could affect them. They may also have great concerns over their own relationships, and whether they can attain long term commitments. (Debord, K., 1994).

According to Fagan &Churchhill (2012) “Divorce causes irreparable harm to all involved, but most especially the children.” (p.1). Culture has certainly changed over the past few generations, because what was once conceived as a tragedy can often be considered a celebration when partners choose to divorce now. (Fagan & Churchhill, 2012). This is a sad occurrence because according to Fagan & Churchhill “it diminishes children’s future competence in all five of society’s major tasks or institutions: family, school, religion, marketplace and government” (p.1). There is no way we can accurately predict what will happen to a child that experiences divorce, but research has shown that the limits of divorced children are lowered because of it, and the effects are high in number and are serious(Fagan & Churchhill, 2012). According to Fagan &Churchhill (2012), these are determinable concerns about divorce and the effects on children.

1.) Religious practice: Divorce diminishes the frequency of worship of God

and recourse to Him in prayer. 2.) Education: Divorce diminishes children’s

learning capacity and educational attainment. 3.) The marketplace: Divorce

reduces household income and deeply cuts individual earning capacity.

4.) Government: Divorce significantly increases crime, abuse and neglect, drug

use, and the costs of compensating government services. 5.) Health and well

being: Divorce weakens children’s health and longevity. It also increases

behavioral, emotional, and psychiatric risks, including even suicide.

Fagan & Churchhill (2012) further conclude that while parents are dealing with two sets of problems during the divorce that children’s support is extremely lower, than those of parents that live together. They receive less emotional support, and this weakens the parent child relationship. It can be harder for the child to fully trust the parent after a divorce occurs. (Fagan & Churchhill, 2012). Final statements that have been addressed by Fagan & Churchhill are the children’s view of divorce.

“Regardless of age, children of divorce deeply resent the strains and difficulties

which arise in long-held family celebrations, traditions, daily rituals, and special

times, and rate these changes as major losses.

It seems obvious that divorce is going to take a toll, even when children have positive peers to encourage them. This will lessen the degree of stress, but some of the losses that come from divorce cannot be replaced, and unfortunately this can carry on throughout the life of the child into adulthood. It is apparent that divorce has caused collateral damages to our culture and society. When looking at the statistics of divorce and thinking of the aspects of children; it becomes clearer of the present condition of what is being faced in the next generation as the numbers increase.

Sometimes divorce is necessary if a child’s welfare is in danger, or if there is domestic violence involved, but the transition can still be hurtful and misunderstood by separation. It is very complex when parents make the child choose whom they can love. It can be damaging when parents use the children as weapons against the other one. In the state of Texas before divorce can be granted each party is required to take a course on how to remain civil in the areas of interest focused upon the child. The author would hope to see requirements that would involve unique counseling to address issues related to the children, before granting divorce.

While partners may have someone to represent them during a divorce, many times children have no outlet or voice. This leaves them vulnerable to all the things discussed above.

According to Mathews D. Wayne (n.r.) there are short term effects as well as long term effects. A great deal of what a child must go through depends upon the parent’s ability to deal with their anger towards one another, and to maintain the parenting role. It is important that the absent parent is able to establish a satisfying part that is mutually acceptable with the children, or child. It is imperative that children of divorce have a healthy and trusting outlet to address things that take place in their lives. If the problems of divorce continue in anger and discontent, usually the child is the victim of an occurrence he was not responsible for. (Matthews, D. Wayne). There is no escape of harm that will affect a child through divorce, but there are ways that children can begin their own personal healing and grief of the loss. More focus in the court systems should address the implications of stress that comes from divorce, but too often children are overlooked, and they are left with long lasting effects that will be carried out in their adult lives, and the patterns will be repeated. Divorce does not only hurt the emotional wellbeing of a child, but it breaks down the strength of a family unit throughout the country, which has a negative impact of our society as a whole.

Parents should know that not all the negative effects will occur mentioned in this paper, but in the case of a child in distress and going through a crisis because of divorce, parents should be responsible to help their child get through the transition. Sensitivity to a child is critical during this period according to (Foulkes, L., 2001). The emotional state of a child should be a primary concern, and the child should never be left to themselves to absorb the stress of divorce alone. This will have a serious impact on the child depending upon their support system, and if there problems are being addressed. Children need the continuing reassurance that they are loved by both parents and it is important for healthy relationships between them to continue, in spite of the situation of the adults. The author would hope that more emphasis would be placed upon the stress of what children are going through, because in the long run, they are the ones that will suffer the most from adult decisions. The conclusions of the arguments would be that divorce is far more crucial to the wellbeing of a child, and parents need to know the emotional implications of what can become of their children, in the process of their decision making alternatives. If investments are made in families, counseling should be an option that promotes reconciliation if that is possible. Adults do not always consider the implications of what can come from impulsive decisions. Children are worth an effort, and if counseling does not prove successful, parents need to be fully aware of the emotional upheaval that happens to children. Again, the court system can address these problems if they are brought to the table, but it takes awareness and concern for the emotional welfare of children. Children are the future, and they deserve to grow up physically and emotionally stable. There are things that can be done. Churches can take part in counseling families, and leading them towards reconciliation. Until our entire society sees the problem, the emotional effects of divorce will not improve.

References

Baer, T., Hoffman, M., & Mooney, N. (2000). The Effects of Divorce on Children

Debord, K., (1994).The Effects of Divorce on Children

Focus on the Kids, North Carolina Cooperative Extention Service

Fagan, P., &Churchill, A. (2012). The Effects of Divorce on Children.

Marriage and Religion Research Institute

Foulkes, L. (2001). The Effects of Divorce on Children

Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida, P.A.

Matthews, W.D. (2012). Long –term Effects of Divorce on Children

The lies behind the mask of addiction and how the health system plays into it.

2012-09-28T13:32:00.000-05:00

This subject can be very challenging, so the most important things that professionals should address is to make sure that these mental disorders are not mimicking substance abuse or addiction. Doweiko (2012) explains some of these challenges. A health care professional needs to be able to know the differences between symptoms of a mental disorder and problems that are occurring because of SUD’s. He further explains that patients that mention a substance abuse problem will have the same signs as someone that is battling mental illnesses. Some of the problem areas will be reduced or subside after the person remains clean. Doweiko (2012), addresses that it can take up to two months to accurately diagnosis someone with dual disorders. We can be left with a dilemma of a misdiagnosis, if the patient is not willing to admit to SUD problems. Before diagnosing these problems accurately it is very important, because people can be exposed to medications that they do not need, and also a label of mental illness on their medical record. Extreme caution should be taken before drawing a conclusion about a dual diagnosis (Doweiko, 2012).

Anxiety disorder is one that can be mimicked by patients if there is not a correct evaluation made. Doweiko (2012), again expresses the importance of proper diagnosis to know whether or not the symptoms are from the SUD or the mental disorder. Doweiko states “one symptom of alcohol syndrome is anxiety” (p. 323). It is more proper to examine patients for at least three weeks of abstinence before the proper diagnosis can be evaluated correctly. If the anxiety persists without a substance than most likely the patient will have an anxiety disorder. (Doweiko, 2012).

     Bio polar disorders can also be mimicked if there are signs of amphetamines, alcohol, and cannabis, and manic expressions or depression can follow withdrawal from these compounds. According to Doweiko “The relationship between the bipolar affective disorders and the SUDs is quite complicated”. (p 325) He further explains that clinician have an accurate history of the patient in order to determine whether the symptoms worsen or started after the patient began to abuse drugs. (Doweiko, 2012). It is of the up most importance that a complete work up of mental history is done on the patient. If a patient has a long history with SUD’s there might not be a way to determine dual diagnosis. In the case of depression it can be extremely difficult as well, because these problems could be a mask because of the SUD’s. (Doweiko, 2012).

     If someone goes into outpatient treatment and complains of anxiety and have been using drugs and are not being honest, we face a mis diagnosis of this patient. Could the medical model be giving drugs to people that really do not need them? Could it be a factor of enabling them to self medicate. There is a growing problem of addicts playing the system. I know three of them that do this on a regular basis, and have even laughed about the medication they receive while nothing is being addressed about the real issues of their SUD's. Doweiko (2012) also addressed the mislabeling of someone and having it permenately on their medical records. There are most definitely serious dual diagnosis, but I have to question after finding out the lack of training in the medical model concerning SUD's if we are making to many mistakes. In many of the MHMR clinics people can walk off the street and go in to get a diagnosis and walk out with drugs. There are lots of these patients that are simply wanting to self medicate. I pray that we find a way of getting proper evaluations of these people so we do not become enablers of what we are trying to treat.

I know this is very important, because I have dealt with addicts, and have seen situations to where they will go into a clinic and fifteen minutes later walk out with a hand full of prescription drugs. If an addict wants to self-medicate or cannot get their drug of choice, it is becoming a problem of working the system, because a proper diagnosis is not being made. This is an extreme problem, and according to the research I read this week, it is very clear that proper diagnosis should be made before evaluating a patient and it can take up to several months if there is a substance abuse problem that has been addressed. The biggest challenge is how to correctly diagnosis someone that is hiding behind there substance abuse problem. If medical personal are not getting the proper training in this area, how can we be sure we are not self-medicating drug addicts and worsening the problem? This is a question I ask myself daily, and wonder why changes are not being made.

References: Doweiko H. (2012) Concepts of Chemical Dependency Eighth Edition

Model of Addiction

2012-09-07T23:23:00.002-05:00

Models of Addictions

Medical Model of Substance Use Disorders- According to (Doweiko, H.E., 2012) medical model addresses assumptions that there is a possibility of disease, and it further results in biological upheaval. As the environment presents itself, it can trigger genetic factors in theperson that could be inherited. E.M. Jellinek is the majority of the reason that alcohol was accepted as a medical disease. Jellinek addressed alcohol in four different stages. 1)Pre alcoholic stage: known as relief drinking. 2) Prodromal stage: blackouts and guilt overdrinking. 3) self-esteem suffers and social functions are avoided that do not cater to drinking activities. 4) Chronic stage: destruction of morals and tremors. Doweiko (2012).

Doweiko (2012) further states “there is no single, universally accepted disease model of SUDs. The medical model is loosely associated with numerous theories, and many have suggested that our fate is tied to genetics, but genetic inheritance does not define our behavior. If this were the case there could be no responsibility placed upon the behavior of the abuser. A person s environment and personal experiences can determine whether genetic occurrences will kick in. External forces can be a determining factor as well.

It may signal relief to place the responsibility of the problem on genetics. We are still in immature stages of being able to evaluate genetics relating to the risks for psychiatric illnesses. According to Doweiko (2012) he further states that it is foundational ignorance that the medical and, psychological professionals speak out about patient’s genetic makeup towards addictions as if there was little hope, as if they were destined to develop a disorder with the lack of knowledge we have about biogenetics. Further critics of the pharmaceutical industry such as (cited Breggin,Peter, 2008; Doweiko, 2012) stated:

Healthcare providers and the general public have been bamboozled by much advertised speculations that brain scans can demonstrate the existence of mental disorders, or even diagnose them. In reality, no psychiatric disorder is demonstrable or diagnosable by brain scan, or by other medical or biological tests.

Doweiko (2012) further addresses that healthcare persons understanding is that a disorder exists inside an individual. This is a false illusion that is not being represented, and it is allowing for misrepresentation that biological factors redeem excuses for behavior that is unacceptable. Biology being an excuse by health care professionals. This leaves no accountability or hope for change.

A personality model of substance use is a theory that there is an addictive personality. According to Doweiko (2012) this arose during the 20^th century in the beginning of psychoanalysis that had to do with hidden trauma that may have caused a person to turn to alcohol or drugs. Doweiko (2012) stated “Psychoanalytic writers hold that individuals used alcohol to numb themselves to emotional pain”. (p. 348) it is considered to be positive reinforcement, pleasure or euphoria, and also helps to deal with bad emotional states.

Substance Use Disorders: The Final Common Pathway Theory. When using substances there rewards from the drug diminish over time and the increase of the drug is needed to satisfy dopamine levels. If the pleasure grows to boredom other compounds are sought out to increase the euphoric feeling according to Doweiko (2012). Eventually the drugs overwhelm the brains

reward system, and this causes it to fire enormously after using the drug. Disease model seems to be dominate in the United States. There are many insights as stated by Doweiko (2012), but all of these approaches are unable to explain the complexity of SUD adequately.

     While we know there are some biological factors that consist with this viewpoint, there is entirely to much medicating or allowing the person that is addicted to believe they will be this way their entire lives. If we treat based on medical models, everyone with the problem with a mental disorder and substance abuse problem will be treated with psychotropic drugs, which in fact is what is happening today. While I do agree with temporary treatment, medical professionals are not trained in the field of addiction, so this limits them to medicating. The medical model leaves out the hope of change from addiction.

     In AA they address their meetings that I am Jane Do and I am an alcoholic. This however does not mean that Jane will stay in that addictive state, nor does it mean that all people with mental disorders will be inprisoned to that state of occurrence. This medical model is bandaging the problem and not cutting it at the root. There is power in redemption and also hope and change outside of the biological genetic aspect. Most in the profession of psychology have little training on dealing with substance disorders. Now that the prison systems are so full and most of them have substance abuse disorders medical models enslave them with the theories of the disease model. I think our society has suffered greatly in our culture here in the United States because of this. Also the United States is preferenced to the medical model, and over the past years it is not proving it's success.

     I agree that we are in a debate of nature, nurture and spiritual examinations here, and I hope that testing will be done on other groups to determine ways to live a free life and not one that is weighed down in the prison system or meds, because it is creating one of the worst problems within our society. I am not biased to the medical or genetic problems, but the disease model has not proven to be effective on the National level. There is redemptive work that goes to the center of the root, and we do not only have to treat this problem medically, but I believe the problem for many can be cured and that is the path that is hopeful among Celebrate Recovery groups that have had high success rates dealing with addictions.

     To grasp the best of these concepts and use what resources that are available. The United States is biased to the medical model and this is very discouraging, and there is a growing need for substance abuse counselors like never before. Jesus Christ was the greatest of all Cognitive teachers and it is my believe if we follow his model there can be healing of the sick and a cure for addiction. Once again I would like to express I am not ruling out the medical model, but we need to move forward with other ways that could be more helpful that will lead to lasting results.

Addictions result from the degrading effects of sin on or in creation. This includes the self and the sin of others and the world. The body is in need of redemption. We are not in a glorified state yet, and that leaves us in a vulnerable state to all kinds of things. Full healing can only be found in Jesus Christ and his redemptive work. (Clinton, T. 2005)

References

Clinton, T. (2005) Caring for people God's way; A New Guide for Christian Counseling

Doweiko, H.E. (2012) Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8^th Ed.)

2012-06-18T10:41:00.003-05:00

Substance Abuse Statistics Among College Students are Alarming!

According to (Matics,Greg Feb. 2010) from the Jackson Harold Newspaper article stated the statistics were stunning in the rise of local drug abuse. (Haskins, Amy) public health educator with the Jackson County Health Department and project director for the Jackson County Anti-Drug Coalition presented statistics of growing drug use.

In the 2009 survey conducted by (Haskins) 21.8 percent of 10^th graders, 33.3 % of high school juniors and 23.3% of high school seniors admitted to drug use. More alarming was the fact the survey also gave a 10% increase of sixth graders that have begun the cycle of drinking, 11.2 showed tobacco usage and 12% were currently using marijuana. Haskins further said, “West Virginia has experienced a 550% increase in prescription drug abuse.” West Virginia residents average some 15 prescriptions each. These statistics provided a “Take Back Program” disposing of unused prescription drugs is being planned by the Jackson County Anti-Drug Coalition for Year 2 of their grant. Looking over the statistics, drug usage continues to rise with an extremely high percentage rate of youngsters abusing prescription pills which were astronomical and of huge concern. The survey helped them acknowledge a severe drug problem within their state and they were able to determine a plan of action by the results.

According to an article published by (Leinwand,Donna; March 2007, USA TODAY) 5.4 million full time college students use drugs and also binge on alcohol at least once a month by a study that was conducted portraying an urgent problem on college campuses around the nation. The study was released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. The study found that students had a higher level of drug usage than the general population in the public sector. 22.9 % of students meet the medical condition for alcohol or drug abuse dependence – compulsively abusing substances despite the negative consequences involved, comparing with 8.5% of all people 12 and older.

The study also included students who admitted to abusing painkillers such as Percocet, Vicodin and OxyContin. Compared to the survey from 1993 it only rose 1 percent that year and in 2005 it increased to 3.1 percent. The percentage of the students smoking marijuana heavily jumped from 1.9% in 1993 to 4% in 2005. Cocaine and heroin rose from 5.4 in 1993 to 8.2 in 2005. The percentage of students who admitted or reported to binge drinking three or more times during the week rose from 19.7% in 1993 to 22.8% in 2001. The study found in 2005, 83% of arrests on campus involved alcohol. These percentages also show a growing increase in drugs and alcohol but the most shocking in this survey was that college students had a higher percentage rating than those that were not attending college 12 and older. This was a surprising result to me as many people are veiled into believing most drug problems occur with the less fortunate and uneducated. This should be a wakeup call to college campuses to bring awareness and to try to bring it under control. This was a national survey so the statistics of college students using drugs and alcohol are very high and should be a concern for the health and safety of the students attending colleges.

References:

Leinwand, D. (March 15, 2007) College Drug use, binge drinking rise. USA TODAY.

Matics, G. (February 2, 2010) Substance abuse statistics among youngsters alarming. The West Virginia Jackson Herald.

Are we Presenting the Truth or Tradition?

2012-06-18T10:11:00.000-05:00

1. What are some ways the Christian gospel is perceived in our culture?

Many people believe in our culture that we can reach God through good works, so primary most people think we can be a good person and do good things. Jesus paid the price for our sins, so no amount of good works can pardon your way into heaven. It is not through good works, but by faith and the good works flow naturally by our belief and love of the Savior. There are many misconceptions that we can confess our belief of the Savior and He will bring abundant prosperity, so in our culture the prosperity gospel can bring deceptions. Jesus said according to (NIV, Matt. 16:24) " If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me".

2. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian gospel?

One of the main reasons is a sense of pride. Pride blocks change, and that comes along with transformation and sacrifices. In our Western culture we are people that are ruled by self. This is a huge reason many will turn away from the gospel, because they want to live their own way. We live in a generation of quick fixes, and transformation takes time and growth. We want to have it our way, and accepting the gospel means we give our life over to the Savior.

3. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian gospel?

There is a great deal of confusion within many of our churches. We have to trust and believe in Christ, and not in our religion. I think a great deal of this has to do with tradition that has nothing to do with the word of God. Self righteous attitudes can attribute to the effect of making others feel loved or unworthy. People may be in oppressive bondage, and feel that they are not good enough. This is Satan's greatest lie. Jesus will accept anyone right where they are. Most have a perception that if they are not perfect, God will reject them. They do not understand the gift of salvation, mercy or grace. Most people have not studied on their own, and have also dealt with spiritual abuse. We should never fall into the trap of listening to anyone or anything without examining it with the word of God. It could also possibly be they have been raised in another doctrine their entire lives. It is hard to break free from what you are use to. Again the issue of pride will blind us to search out the truth.

4. What are some specific intellectual reasons people may reject the Christian gospel?

The majority of adults are learning the theories of evolution in universities today. Evolution had flooded the public schools and students are not learning about these things at a young age. They are being taught Darwinism, that ultimately scatches God away from the black board. We fail to examine things for ourselves, or to take the time to examine both sides of the issue. We see social media has taken on this same effect on our children. Astrology, New Age movement, and also atheists have flooded outlets of the younger generation. For the younger generation many will seek to solve their problems through Psychology and other outlets like drug and alcohol. Most people do not understand the power of the Holy Spirit, and how it can direct our lives and shape us into the purposes of God.

5. What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the Christian gospel?

Jesus was a friend of sinners. He may have not agreed with their lifestyle but he would listen to them. He primarily could see through to their heart. Loving your neighbor regardless of who they are is a step in the right direction. No one cares about what you have to say, until they can see how much you care. We will not agree with other people all the time. They will not have the same belief system that we do, but we can be a light to them by the way we live our lives through Jesus Christ. We need to understand more, listen more, and learn more about one another instead of judging. If the only friends that we ever acquire are merely Christians, I am not sure how well our ministry will be. We must be the light in the dark places. Our focus should be on Christ first, and he demonstrates the greatest love of all.

References:

The Holy Bible, New International Version Matthew 16:4

The Greatest Paradox of Confusion about the Commision of Christ

2012-05-17T11:17:00.000-05:00

Paradox of Confusion about the Commision of Christ

Most people are not taught about the discernment of the Holy Spirit. Discernment is allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our lives. There is; however, a huge paradox of confusion at times, because God calls Christians to be set apart and then the scriptures turn around and instruct us to go into the world.

Christ knew the hearts of all He came into contact with, because he was the Son of God. He was all knowing.

We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. The night before the death of Christ, He prayed for the will of God over the lives of the disciples in every area of their life. His prayer was not to take them out of the world, but He wanted them to be protected from the enemy. It is my belief that we must look at, listen and understand the world in which we live for the sake of advancing God's Kingdom. It is the calling of us in his plan of redemption.

While avoiding to live as the ways of the world, we are still called to live in it, and to also understand it. Christians were set apart for stewardship. Christians are not intended to be locked away and oppressed by fear. We can easily forfeit our calling if we are living out of the world verses going into it.

Temptation is not sin unless it is entertained by our actions. If we cannot watch television, listen to the radio or read a book without falling into sin, then we should not engage in these things. If an evil thought enters our minds, and we have rejected that thought then no sin has been committed. If we; however, take pleasure in preverse thoughts we have fallen into a sinful position.

We must not allow sinful thoughts to build nests in the process of our thinking.

In my closing statement I would like to express that Jesus was tempted in every way imaginable, and yet he did not sin. Christ promises that we will never be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, and he will not leave us without a way of escape. In Ephesians 6 we are reminded of the warfare we will battle in the world. Ephesians 6:13 instructs us to take the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We carry a sheild of faith so we are able to quench all the feiry darts of the wicked. Our final aim is to carry the Sword of the Spirit in all our goings. We are to go into the world wise as serpants and harmless as doves. Understanding a fallen world helps us to understand our own purposes in life. All things work together for good to all those that are called according to his purposes.

Christian Counseling through Discipleship

2012-04-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

Christian Counseling through Discipleship

As the entire country has exploded in the field of Psychology and medicating the mentally ill, there is a huge concern if this approach is the exact one that should be taken alone. There is a growing concern of prescription drug use, which is in fact simply medicating the problem instead of completely addressing it, so that the disorder can possibly be overcome. Could this be that God has been taken out of the equation? In the early field of Psychology there was little focus on the spiritual healing of those that had been abused or terribly hurt by problems, or associated with things that left them incapable of facing on their own. Still today there is little focus on the spiritual side of Psychology or the profession has little to say about Biblical truths. In fact, they do not include spiritual healing and restoration in their practices at all in secular Psychology

It is of great hope that through some of the information generated on three topics on the subject, a clear conclusion can be drawn that could possibly change the course of how the problems have been addressed with those that are spiritual oppressed, tormented by issues of pride, and also the sins of the ancestors that may be also affecting their lives to this day.

     Psychology is clearly not the enemy, although the precepts have not always led to lasting
results.   There have been many breakthroughs in the development of disorders, and also
cognitive therapies to change behavior patterns. The problems that are associated with the
outcome are that there has been little room, or attention given for using cognitive therapies,
including spiritual revelations, this had led the profession in a childlike state that cannot heal
mental illnesses. The fruits of its work alone are not bearing the results that is needed in the dark
world today.    In order to broaden our paths of healing the broken, the definition of truth must
be defined, and there is no other answer that can ever supersede the ultimate understanding and
healing power of Jesus Christ.

Society has denied the roots of the problem and it has been left with only a band aid for the cure, and are neglecting the true healing source of redemption and restoration in the lives that are spiraling into a black hole of hopelessness. Christians and the Churches can no longer afford to not confront these issues. Christian encourages must press on to be servants in the commission that Christ has called them to be.

Neil Anderson addressed many of these issues in his book Discipleship Counseling,
(Anderson, Neil. T., 2003 Discipleship Counseling) Anderson presents a huge amount of
information that is being used among Christian professionals working in the Counseling
profession. The information is very insightful and gives great hope to the encourager to engage
on some of these areas to help the growing numbers of people that are suffering.

Helping the Spiritually Oppressed

According to Anderson (2003), he states “When we lack the expertise and the patience, we resort to some kind of power mode to correct people or circumstances”. (p 173) Anderson raises the question in thoughts of what happens if the lights have been extinguished within the Churches? He concludes there is great damage that follows this path. Anderson (2003) states below:

Pharisaic leaders in such ministries are more concerned about controlling others than about developing self-control. They do not want to set their people free. They want to control
them. Such people have never really entered into the experience of spiritual life. They go to church and critique the message and the music.

Dealing with spiritual bondage will draw persecution and attacks according to Armstrong (2003). Scripture is a reminder to pray for those that are persecuted or cursed. Some of the self-righteous spirits that are in leadership positions will actually prevent those that are seeking to come to the truth as Anderson (2003) goes on to explain. (p 176). Legalism is not spirituality. It is a religious man made tradition, and it can create a huge amount of bondage. Jesus greatly warned against this in Matthew Chapter 23. He called them hypocrites that sought to close the doors of the Kingdom that prevented those that needed it the most while turning them away from the truth. (Matthew 23:13).

There are many concerns of the spiritually abused also, and this can also create a lack of distrust, and also lead one down a path of complete hopelessness with absolutely no faith at all. The problems are in every aspect of the world today. When dealing with a broken spirit it is extremely important to understand the fruits of the spirit, and how to address ourselves to them. Men and women of God must be led by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what will prove our character and it is not of self-effort, but the working of the Spirit that comes through Christ. Galatians 6:22-25 (NT) but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. If we live by the Spirit so let us walk by the Spirit. This gives us the instructions of how we should relate to those when we are encouraging or giving counsel to others. Anderson stated, “Satan has gained access to people’s lives because of the openings they have given him”. To give lasting hope to those that are dealing with spiritual oppression, there is a need to be fully prepared for spiritual warfare, and know how to put on the helmet of salvation. This is the greatest weakness of secular Psychology because these important issues are not addressed.

According to Diane Langberg (2011) she stated, “You see, trauma does not heal apart from
being spoken and it needs to be heard in the context of a safe relationship where the dignity of
the one who has been crushed is restored”. (p 3) She concludes that Christian encouragers are to
go, and to patiently listen, be there is the face of the enemy, and do so in love. Langberg (2011)
spoke no truer words when she addresses the question of “Is not this what Christ did for all”? To
be Christ like is how love is reflected towards others, even in the very presence of evil.
He will equip those with the power of his Holy Spirit.

Overcoming the Issues of Pride

Pride will always come before a huge fall according to scriptures. Becoming obsessed with the self-mode will not make the best results in the counseling profession. Many fail to realize that this very issue is what led to the downfall of Lucifer when he rebelled against God. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. Humans are born into pride, because of what happened in the beginning of creation, when Eve wanted to have the equality of God. Anderson (2003) stated that “hell is where people say, “My will be done.” Heaven is where we say, “Thy will be done.” Do you see the exact opposite of the two? One is totally motivated to self, and the other is governed by the Spirit of God. So this brings the subject to motive, and why people pursue what they do. What appears to be a helpful situation could in fact not be at all, if it is being ruled by the spirit of pride. Anderson (2003) continues to remind others, that helping people should be clothed in kindness and humility towards others. God is against the proud. Those that are attended with self-absorption are blind leaders. Jesus constantly brings to our attention the working of the Spirit. Those that operate outside of the fruit of the spirit can be deceivers, and full of themselves, so it would be an impossible task for them to encourage others effectively. The motive is false deception.

Anderson (2003) stated that “the more we are able to accomplish by the grace of God, the more susceptible we are to pride. (p 295). It appears that Anderson is trying to warn others than even in grace, pride will come and sweep Encouragers away if they are led away in boasting, because of our good works. The works of an Encourager are sacrificial, and they are done under the authority of the Holy Spirit, and nothing that is done in themselves. We do these things to give glory and honor to the Lord, and not to seek our own gratifications. It is His working power that gives those the abilities, and the gift of the Spirit to walk beside others in the healing process.

Others must have teachable spirits in order to grow in maturity. Counseling is a muscle, constantly flexing and growing in the process of helping others

Overcoming Ancestral Sins

Many people are born into dysfunctional families. Often sins are passed down from one generation to the next according to Anderson (2003). Anderson also states that “it is the final links of bondage that have chained them to their past”.(p 329) Anderson continues to address the occult experiences in family heritage, and how it has a great influence on what people carry around with them. He states “Unless we make concerted efforts to do otherwise, we will perpetuate the habits, customs and traditions passed on in our families for generations.” (p 330)

People develop habits early on, and were not necessarily taught these things. It is a natural
reaction to pick up things from those related to others. It can be passed down for several
generations, and many of these contracted habits can be harmful. Anderson states that “we are
not guilty because of our parents sins. Yet because they sinned, we are vulnerable to what they
have taught and modeled for us”.

The Prophets in the Old Testament warned us about the sins of ancestral decent. According to Anderson (2003) National or corporate repentance cannot happen effectively without individual repentance. (p 335) If past sins are left to fester, they will be passed down to the next generation. Anderson (2003) concludes that “it is because we are new creatures in Christ that we can actively choose and renounce the sins of our ancestors and stop the cycle of abuse. (p338)

It is however not encouraged to introduce this to those in the initial process, unless the Lord brings it to their remembrance. Encouraging others in Christ is something that should be practiced, and to put on the armor of God to fight the good fight. Anderson (2003) concludes in his writing that Christ is our defense and we should never let the enemy set the dinner table. In other words, not to give too much credit on the enemies behalf. (p 339) In helping others we want them fully protected under the care and authority of Christ, and that by the grace of God; others can be fully equipped to help break any linkage that imprisons someone because of generational sins or curses.

     According to McMaken, Bonnie (March 2011) almost every family has secret roots that are
embedded in their families. Sometimes it can be a painful dig to get to the very root of the
problem that sprang from our ancestors.   Generational sins can be hidden very well and are often
swept under the rug to help protect younger generations. However if the family does not possess
the proper knowledge to break destructive patterns, like addictions processes they will be passed
from one generation to the next. The cycle of destruction can continue, and can be very
complicated to discover the root of the problem. In this case passing through the light, and the
knowledge of truth according to God’s word it will very often expose dark secrets, or possibly
bring them into the mind of the counselee, and then they can be encouraged to walk through the
process to break free from the bondage that is keeping them imprisoned.

     In the closing argument, it should be addressed that we can walk side by side with
Psychologists in the healing processes of redemption. As Christians we acknowledge the job is
not complete until Christ can work through the processes that surround the subject Psychology. While there are many great discoveries in this field, the Christian counselor fully
understands that complete healing comes from Christ alone, and not secular theories or a
prescription of drugs. Although these things may temporarily aid the problem, it truly does not
heal and restore the broken soul, nor will it give them the hope of eternity. It is a great hope that
these fields will come together in their research, and examine the need of spiritual revelation in
helping those through whatever Mental Illness or addiction they may be facing. The most
important thing of all is to remember that Christ was the most wonderfully powerful Counselor
of all, and that we would strive to model His pattern while working with broken people.

References

Anderson, Neil T. (2003) Discipleship Counseling: The complete Guide to Helping Others Walk

In Freedom and Grow in Christ. Ventura: Regal Books

Langberg, Diane, PH.D (2011) Trauma as a place of Service: A Traumatized Planet, She’s my

sister, a Bible Society initiative.

McMaken, Bonnie (Mar 7, 2011) Do Our Parents’ Sins Affect Us? Finding healing from

generational hurts and hang-ups.

Looking at the Church Today

2012-03-17T19:32:00.000-05:00

Towns, Elmer (2007) Stated “It’s probable that the church does need repentance.” (p 109). I couldn’t agree with his statement more. Sometimes it seems that the churches get so caught up in the legalities and doctrines that they often forget about love and welcoming people in to learn about the commission of Christ. While doctrine is important, it should not take the place of the example we should be towards others. There seems to be a great deal of bickering among believers, and this certainly does not provide a good example to new Christians. We are called to be a beacon of light to the world, and should conduct ourselves with humility and love towards our neighbors. Towns (2007) further states “Why doesn’t the church express more love to the world and to one another?” (p 109) This creates a great deal of confusion for those that are new in their faith. They become distorted about their views, and this often leads to stereotyping the entire Christian community as a whole. This creates unfruitful works in the body of Christ.

When God is truly living among the people, there is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the church is edified through the fruits of the spirit, which brings people together in unity as the body of Christ. There is a descending problem, in the sense that Christians are being labeled by the actions of people, and this makes it harder for us to reach out to others. We should never shun or look down on others according to their dress, or how expensive their clothes are. We should welcome people, and make them feel that we genuinely care. It does not matter whether they are rich are poor. God is no respecter of persons; therefore, we have no right to ignore the least of these. Welcoming those from all walks of life; I believe is a positive step in the right direction. We need to be an example to those that are longing to find a place to learn and grow.

I still think we have racial barriers that should not be there. It would be a prayer answered to see those of all colors worshiping together just as God intended it to be. I think our churches today should be more like spiritual hospitals, and understand more of the problems we are facing in today. In this generation it is not enough to warm the pew. The body of Christ needs to utilize the opportunities to help these that will not come to a Church, because of some of these problems discussed in this thread. Christianity needs to reflect a lifestyle, and not a once a week operation. Our fruits towards others truly reflect our character. I truly pray we work towards loving others, and displaying this through our actions to lead others to Christ.

References:

Towns, Elmer (2207) Core Christianity: Chapter nine, Christianity is an Interactive Community

"Mental Illness and addiction in the Prison System"

2012-03-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

You may not realize that 80 percent of the people that are incarcerated today are under the influence of substance abuse. This not only affects the lives of those that are in prison, but many children that are victimized by this, and faced with a great deal of hardship and loss. Many families are completely split and some never recover. Children are also very vunerable to the system as well, because there is very little help for these that did not commit the crimes but they too, wear the numbers on there backs through the entire process. The point of this blog is to say, we have a horrible problem that is only getting greater. I think it is time to come up with more solution

instead of taking tax dollars to build more prisons.

In the last year they have also laid off many chaplains that are closely associated to those that are incarcerated. I do not believe the solution is going to get better by merely building more prisons. It is much less expensive to help rehabilitate than to house. Also the war on drugs is causing greater sentencing than those of pedifils which are let out and repeatly reoffend. It is hard to understand how violent people are set free and non violent drug offenders are kept 3 times longer.

There is a growing concern about the prison systems and the mentally ill. Large numbers of people with mental health disorders are filling the prison systems. According to the Human Watch statement for the record to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Human Rights and the law it is clearly documented that prisons were never a place for the mentally ill, however; that is exactly what it has become. There are many people in the communities that cannot get the proper mental health care that they need, and they fall into the cracks of the judicial system.

There are Mental Health courts that are set up in different areas of the country that bring this into the judicial system to plead with the courts on the cases of the mentally ill that are being convicted of crimes, or that are currently serving charges in the prison systems. According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Mental Health Courts provide a number of services to those that have been diagnosed with Mental Illness. They address to the courts, the mental health issues of offenders and those that are mentally disabled. They try to access the circumstances of the offender and provide resources, life skills, mental health care plans and also consider relapse from substance abuse to keep from occurring by providing these services to keep the mentally ill from becoming a revolving door into the prison systems. The Bureau of Justice Assistance further concluded that The Mental Health courts also try to establish continuing supervision and long term treatment long after the probation or parole has ended. These courts deal with nonviolent offenders who have clearly been diagnosed with a mental disorder or suffer from substance abuse.

According to (Judge Charlotte Cooksey), the mentally ill spend needless amounts of time in

jail, and they do not have the proper care for their mental health problems. After the offender is

released and enter back into society, he or she will normally be recycled back into the system,

and it continues to repeat it’s self throughout the life of the accused offender. This is not a

service to community, and tax payers are paying extreme amounts while the offender continues

to have the same pattern of problems and risks of reentering back into the prisons systems.

The Mental Health Court is a team of professionals that are specialized in the field of Mental Illness, and also law. The goal of the Mental Health Court according to (Cooksey), is to improve outcomes for this special population, including the mentally ill and those that are suffering from substance abuse while increasing public safety. The court strives to cut downthe rate of offenders that commit petty crimes due to their mental illness and also suffer from drug addictions. The outcome is to provide the needed services and networks of community support to help the offender lead a more sustainable life, and to break away from the revolving door of the judicial system.

According to (Maiken, Scott), if we can give these mental ill offenders the resources that are

needed in order for them to succeed, there are great opportunities to give this population hope

that one day they can be productive citizens. Many of these included in the mental health

population are homeless, and because of there need to survive they have used the prison systems

to be able to exist. In this group of offenders they have not been able to effectively work through

the system that is currently provided and giving them the needed resources can certainly provide

them with a greater opportunity to take the next step forward. There are housing concerns,

needed psychiatric treatment, and many of them need help and assistance in finding jobs

according to (Maiken). He also further concluded, Mental Health courts and drug courts are

similar in nature with addicts, and they are succeeding in the efforts to prevent reentry back into

the judicial system. There are still many problems ahead because incarceration will never be a

right solution for those that are mentally impaired according to (Wagner, Peter).

Prisons are very expensive and they are less effective than mental health treatment, and the sad tragedy according to (Wagner), is that state governments are cutting mental health budgets in order to build more facilities to hold offenders. The budget is to build more prisons and to provide less mental health care. This definitely raises a huge concern. (Wagner) further concluded his regards of destroying the mental health system, and at the same level resorting to raising criminal charges and incarceration to the population of mentally ill. (Wagner) noted, “Rikers Island is the largest Psychiatric facility in the country”. The statistics show approximately 16 percent of the prison population is mentally ill. The most shocking numbers are those that are suffering a form of chemical dependency and this is 80 percent of the prison population. Many are facing dual disorders, mental health issues as well as chemical dependency. The numbers appear to be skeptical according to (Wagner) because these are only the ones that have been diagnosed or treated and many of the others are swept under the rug, or never addressed.

(Wagner) further states, “Prison is harm and not a treatment”. When the mentally ill are

imprisoned without the proper mental health treatment according to (Barr, Heather) in Wagner’s

Research article she concluded, that this population are the ones that fall victim and remain

isolated. When the rules become distorted and difficult for the mentally challenged to follow

they fall into the pit of segregation; being locked away 24 hours a day. (Barr) concluded her

statements further, bringing attention and addressing it with this statement. “This is a problem of

services, not a legal problem. Alternatives to incarceration are needed”, implemented from(Wagner’s) final closing statement.

     From the research that I have compiled, there is a huge need for mental health care of the mentally ill, and those suffering from substance abuse in the prison systems. The problems I have noticed, is the funding for these programs are being slashed and the problems are increasing more every year. Prisons are no answer for the population suffering from mental health disorders. Many of these offenders are unable to get help and then paroled out and continue to return. In my conclusion in the review of the Human Rights Watch Statement on Human Rights and the Law, Mental health treatment can help and possibly save offenders lives and also prevent suicidal measures. The statement reported that 22 states out of forty correctional centers reported that they did not have the adequate number of mental health staff to deter the problems they faced.

     From the observations of the research, we have yet to scratch the surface, and we definitely need to provide these mental health services in the prison systems. By disallowing treatmentwe are robbing a society of hope, along with the families of those that are suffering as well, and unfortunately many of them are children. To change these circumstances it will begin from the local level in my opinion, and to elect the officials that will support the mental health issues we are facing around the country.   Prison time is hard for a person that is mentally stable, but for someone that has a mental disorder it can further impair there thinking, and without healthy resources they are sure to return back to a system that have become entangled into with no real coping skills of returning into society.

     I do not see an end in sight to this problem until it is properly addressed and implemented, so the recycling process can be reduced, and people can be given the mental health care they rightfully deserve. Mentally ill, and those suffering from addictions are not criminals; they are broken individuals with serious mental health concerns, and resources for this population are desperately needed, and I do not see how this could be denied or ignored. It is my hope that more advocacy will bring this growing problem to the National level and funding will be granted to give hope to those that cannot help themselves. In my own personal view, I see this population as the least of these, and I firmly believe if this part of the prison population is not given the proper mental health care, it will further grow and erode our entire society.

    I have seen children's lives destroyed, or also turned to the judicial system after one of there parents has been incarcerated. They to become a statistic. I am not taking away the accountablity from the wrongs of what one does. There are consequences we all must learn from;however, this problem is not disolving, but growing in huge magnitude. The attack is always on the future seed, the children. I seriously must question something of great importance to this generation. Where are the spiritual leaders of today? This is not isolated problem. It is not totally the responcibility that should fall upon the government, but upon the house of God to reach out on this issue that is totally eroding the next generation of the young.

     Many of these mentally ill that are incarcerated, or those suffering from addiction problems are spiritually broken, and many families can be brought back together if these problems were addressed. Many children are falling into the system of foster care and suffering more abuse. Where there is no hope, the people perish. It seems that the spiritual leaders of our country would care more about these things that building the walls of their palaces that will one day rot and leave nothing but a stack of stubble. Something to consider, and there are people that can make a difference if they wanted to truly open there eyes. Our churches are blinded in many ways of self and binding up their people in a building to have there ears tickled, and go home, and it bring about very little change. We have problems here at home and this is affected at every local level.

     I pray more will give thought to this, and pray that the Lord might use your professional experiences, or the compassion you might feel to make a difference. I pray that Churches and clergy would no longer sweep this problem under the rug. 80 percent of the prison population. The numbers enough tell there own story. The number of children is staggering. Over 50 percent of these children are also entering into the prison population. This should raise enough concern to fuel God's people to act of this alone. Solemn prayers that outreach will here the cries of these children, and awareness to make some type of difference for them.

References:

(Bureau of Justice Assistance), Mental Health Courts Program

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/mentalhealth.html

Cooksey, Charlotte, Mental Health Programs

http://www.courts.state.md.us/district/archive/mental%20health.pdf

Human Rights Watch (Sept 2009), Mental Illness, Human Rights, and US Prisons

http://www.hrw.org

Maiken, Scott (May 2010), Mental Health Courts offers new beginning.

Wagner, Peter (April 2000), Prison Policy Initiative, Incarceration is not a solution to mental illness.

Are you Analyzing the Implications of Governing Officials?

2011-11-26T21:33:00.001-06:00

I do not normally post my papers from school, but felt this was one worth sharing. It was rather amazing the references I used from my homework assignment were the posts I left on Facebook earlier today. What are the chances of getting to use those references? It was puzzling that my entire assignment that I had no knowledge of would be on the very postings I left today, so with that said I felt it would be good to share the summaries of the paper.

Analyzing Implications

First Summary

From my understanding, according to Terry Eastland, (Jan 2011) he leads us to believe that Republicans are responding to unlimited government, and that the Tea Party are guarding that situation ready to address and push it, if it is ignored. This is of course, what the Republicans wanted to be noted for in the media, but I am not sure after finding other sources that may express otherwise. There is a great deal of concern about the amount of control from both parties. Both are trying to pass through the senate, a bill this week that would leave citizens without trial and could be arrested by the right of the government, according to what they establish as being deemed right or wrong. This bill that both Republicans and Democrat Senators are trying to pass will be addressed this week. According to the ACLU (Nov 2011) the senate is preparing for a vote by this Monday or Tuesday that should concern every American! “This bill will direct the military resources not at an enemy shooting at our military in a war zone, but at American Citizens and other civilians far from the battlefield.-even people in the United States itself”. (pg.1) This bill is being supported by both parties according to the article by the ACLU, this is a part of the National Defense Authorization Act bill, and this bill was drafted in secret by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich) and John McCain (R-Ariz)and passed in a closed door committee meeting. Concluding the article by the ACLU, one republican senator explained “the law will basically say in law for the first time that our homeland is part of the battlefield” and that people can be prosecuted without charge or trial. What about your rights to a fair trial to be charged and tried? I think they must have totally ignored the constitution on this one. I am sure there will be no military looking in their direction or pointing a weapon at them, and I hope this bill will not be passed, because it could very well change life as we know it.

Second Summary

According to the article in Scientific American (2005)raising the concern of human inventory control there is a great deal of discretion presented by how this new technology can be used. The value of this, of course, depends upon how it is used. According to an article presented by MSN (2004) the FDA approves the computer chip for humans. I the past few years I have seen the differences between parties and many supporters blaming each party, however, there are implications of both sides that have supported these devices. The MSN article stated that in 2004, The US Department of Health and Human Services paid 139 million dollars in grants to help bring about President Bush’s push for electronic health records for most Americans with a decade. We are now in the year of 2011. This debate was noticed widely on Social Networking sites and great controversy I have read personally on postings relating to these issues and a great deal of blame was on the Health reform and the government taking control over healthcare and the privacy issues surrounding chips that could also impose upon the privacy of others. While one could say it would be good to keep up with medical records, another great concern would be more interference of the control of the government into the private lives of law abiding citizens. I think the bad clearly outweighs the good. Such technology can be trumped up to be an asset to people, but you have to look at the implications from the other side of the spectrum, which in my opinion would be a great loss of privacy and an injustice for the American people. In the first summary and this one as well, I would eagerly address that we have entirely too much governmental control, and that many details in the constitution are danced around or ultimately changed, overlooked or ignored. For whatever rights hold to the public, therefore, should deem enforceable and accountable to the governmental authorities as well.

References:

American Civil Liberties Union (Nov 2011) Senators demand the military lock up American citizens in a

“Battlefield” they define as being right outside your window.

http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/senators-demand-military-lock-american-citizen

Eastland, Terry (Jan 2011) The Weekly Standard: We the People

http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/docprintview/846785734

Ebsco Publishing (May 2005) Human Inventory Control. Scientific American. P. 8

http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/ehost/delivery?sid=f2feb908-ce0c-4af6-a6c

Msnbc News (Oct 2004) FDA approves computer chip for humans.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6237364/ns/health_care/t/fda-approves-computer-chips

Are genetically modified foods creating an impact on the modern world?

2011-08-03T22:35:00.001-05:00

This blog posting will be examining the pros and cons of genetically modified foods, and the
concerns that it is imposing upon the modern world.

I hope to provide information on the pros and cons, and provide a clearer understanding of genetically modified foods, while bringing awareness of the information that every consumer should understand, so they can make wiser choices about their health, and possible changes for their future. Weighing the pros and cons of genetically modified foods should be a concern so people can have a clearer understanding of what we are imposing through the use of Genetically Modified Foods around the world.

GM Food and feed have been linked to death and sickness. According to Jeffery M. Smith (July 2009) investigations were conducted in Haryana, India and the results found the buffalos that ate GM cottonseed had problems such as early deliveries, abortions, sterile, and prolapse of the uteruses. There were a large number of calves that died. In the United States, many farmers reported that thousands of pigs were becoming sterile because of the GM corn they were ingesting. Other pigs gave birth to only empty bags of water. Cows and bulls have also become sterile when they were fed the exact same corn.

According to Renata Brillinger (September 2006) There was serious concern in 1989
during an outbreak of a new disease contracted by over 5000 people that was traced back
to a batch of L-tryptophan food supplement produced with GM bacteria. Even though it
contained 0.1 per cent of toxic compound, 37 people died, and 1,500 were left permantly
disabled. The American Center of Disease Control stopped counting after 1991. We have no way to explain when the there are no food labels that identify GMO’s. It proposes the thoughts that we are no longer in control of the very food we eat for our survival. We can’t detect whether we are ingesting GMO’s verses organic.

Smith, further concluded that studies were applied to humans and some of the participants had Roundup Ready gut bacteria. There was only one study that was published on GMO’s. Scientists found bacteria growing in a waste dump area and the organism had a special gene that was able to thrive and not die. The scientists came to the conclusion that it would be added to the food supply. It was given the name Round Up Ready. There were humans that ate the GM soybeans and the DNA was transferred into their intestinal tracts and the bacteria continued to function. There is a concern that if you continue to manufacture Bt-toxins that is could turn the intestinal tract into a pesticide factory. Canada is conducting studies on this subject and are showing results but there is nothing that has been published so far on this study to my acknowledgment, as they are still carrying out the study to date. I would be interesting to see the reports and the impact it could have on Genetically Modified Foods.

According to Smith (2009) If the living pesticide factory is conclusive we have to
question the thought of GMO’s. If they are able to bust the intestinal tract of insects and
destroy them, further questions are considered as to whether the corporations that
manufacture GMO’s have ignored the peer reviewed published evidence proving that Bt
toxins bind with mice and monkeys in the intestinal tract. They have denied the claim of
being harmful to mammals, even though the tests are proving something far different.

In the conclusion of (Smith’s) studies and statements, he further addressed that if the Bt toxins were spreading the bacteria inside the digestive tract of North Americans, we will see the increase of gastro intestinal problems, autoimmune diseases, food allergies, and possible child hood learning disorders. Smith stated since 1996, when Bt crops were introduced into the market that Physicians have stated they are seeing increases in these dilemmas. We need more scientific research on the safety of GMO’s and the Bt toxins in particular.

According to Jaan Suurkula (May 1998) There is also clear concern of the hazard of
viruses from GMO’s. The most widely common virus that is used in Genetic engineering is
the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus. Research and studies has confirmed the risks of combination
with unrelated viruses is now greater than previously understood. The research has proven
that CAMV has a hotspot recombination, which makes it susceptible to break up DNA chains
and join them together. Angela Ryan a modular biologist and molecular biologist and also
Joseph Cummins, geneticist, have published a paper warning for the use of CAMV in crops.
This gene virus can reactivate dormant viruses, or create new ones in all species that it is
transferred to. Cancer is also a potential consequence. (Suurkula), further concluded that
practically all genetically engineered crops contain genetic material from viruses created in
this way may be more infectious, and may cause a greater number of alarming diseases,
and may have the tendency to cross species borders.

Around the world, there are many concerns not only for our health, but also the insects that needs to thrive for our survival as well. According to Andrew Barron (Jul/August 2011), he brings the question about what may be killing the bees. They to are affected new forms of pesticides, genetically modified crops (GMO’S) expressing toxins, parasitic mites, fungal diseases, intensive agriculture. To a greater and lesser degree, all of these things are pushing the onset to the decline of the honey bee. Barron also stated: “Pesticide exposure or insufficient diets from floral monocultures may weaken bees’ immune systems. As the global trade in bee stocks has spread major bee pest and disease are almost everywhere in the world, it is extremely hard for immune-compromised bees to survive”. We have also seen a huge concerning decline in the monarch butterflies that may be dying off because of genetically modified foods according to Deborah B. Whitman (April 2000)

Genes are now being patented ruling against the natural laws of nature. Because of the
patent laws, many farmers are being sued by major corporations that have patented these
seeds. There is nothing to stop the wind from blowing the crop onto their properties ,and
then the larger corporations suing them and seizing their crops along with huge fines. It
has destroyed the farming the way we once knew it before. In an article found on the web
site www.banGMfood.org 10 Reasons why we don’t need GM foods there was some
interesting information about the patent on the seeds. There is evidence that these GM
companies cannot be trusted. They have a history of toxic contamination and also the
deception of the public. The patents of the larger corporations monopolizes the world food
supply. They have harassed farmers and intimidated them for the crime of patented seed
or stealing patented genes, even if those genes got into the farmers’ fields through
accidental contamination or insects.

According to an article written by E. Ann Clark Ph.D (Fall 2001) Percy Schemeiser was a
farmer that was sued by Monsanto for growing canola that had been contaminated with the
Round up Ready gene. He was found guilty for having Monasanto genetics on his land. He
wasn’t found guilty of brownbagging or obtaining the seed fraudulently. All of those
allegations were dropped due to lack of evidence. The farmer was in his 70’s and practically
destroyed his family financially all because some of this seed fell or blew onto his land and
grew there. This is a sad account of what many farmers have had to face today. As Clark
concluded, “GM technology will necessarily make food more expensive-and particularly-but
not solely-for those who have chosen not to grow GM crops”.

There are many objections and also controversies over the importance of GMO’s and I have researched both pros and cons. According to Deborah Whitman (April 2000) “the world population growth is over 6 billion and is predicted to double in the next 50 years. Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come”.

( Witman) concluded that, GMO’S are pest resistant because they are a pesticide. Crop losses from insect pests can result in total financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. GMO’s are herbicidal tolerant. For many crops it can be a very expensive process to destroy weeds and time consuming and the herbicide doesn’t harm the crop. Monsanto created an herbicide product Roundup. Farmers can grow soybeans and it only requires one application of weed killer instead of repeated herbicides. There are many viruses that cause diseases of plants and plant biologists are working to create plants with resistance to these diseases. These GMO’s are also cold resistant. They implanted an anti freeze gene into plants like tobacco and potatoes. With these genes the plants can tolerate colder conditions. The GMO’s are more tolerate to drought conditions as well. We also have countries that are malnourished. They were creating GMO’s to have more nutrients than the commodities of other countries where they had no access to nutrients apart from there market of trade. There are disadvantages that I have found in the conclusions of my research that far out weigh the advantages. We do not understand the magnitude of the GMO’s or what we will be seeing down the road. Through all of the discoveries and knowledge collected, it is very plain that until more scientific research and testing occurs with these GMO crops, it has occurred to me that the public is very much like a ginny pig and not really having a choice over what they select in their diet. I believe it will take a great deal of awareness and education in the public stream before changes will come over these problems.

GMO’s are affecting our world in every way, with the insects that we need for the environment and also the healthy state of our bodies and being able to have the freedom to choose what you are eating from the grocery markets. Labels should be stated to the GMO products and that gives the consumer the option to choose what they decide to put into their bodies. Without the labeling it could take years to be able to track or know for certain the outcome that we will all be facing. I truly believe nature was a gift unto us and to enjoy the organic things from the earth and I feel we may be crossing boundaries that our children’s children will have to pay and endure. I hope maybe something can be done before we no longer understand the nature of anything organic or created by the hands of God.

REFERENCES:

Barron, A. (July, 2011) Death in the Hive. Australasian Science Vol. 32, I-6 p. 4

Bergeron, B.; Chan, P. (2004) Biotech Industry: A Global Economic and Financing Overview

p.104, 239

Clark, A.E. (May, 2011) The Implications of the Percy Schmeiser Decision.

Crane, J. (June, 2011) World in Motion: The Globalization of the Environment Reader-

Journal of World History, Vol.22, I-2, pgs 426-429

Schubert, D. (July, 2002) The Risks of GM Food.

Smith, J.M., Seeds of Deception-www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Home/index.cfm

Smith, J.M., Everything you have to know about dangerous genetically modified foods.

Spilling the Beans Newsletter

Suurkula, J. MD The Virus Hazard http://www.saynotogmos.com/virus_hazard.htm

(Genetically modified food and health- a cause for concern? Irish Doctors Environmental

Association ( IDEA)

http://www.ideaireland.org/gmfoodshealth.htm

Whitman, D. (April 2000) CSA Discovery Guides; Genetically Modified foods: Harmful or

helpful? Pages 1-12

Are you being your child's parent or best buddy?

2011-08-01T07:06:00.000-05:00

Teenagers are difficult no doubt. They are going through one of the most critical periods of there lives. They aren't little children, nor can they have a clear judgement about there lives and there decisions always. I have learned many things about the feelings of wanting to have what you think you want. Sometimes for an adolescent this is not always sound judgement. When I was 13 life at home was very dis functional and I wanted to always be somewhere else. My friends were an escape and they had a great influence on many things that I did. Because of the confusion at home very often I would ask to go somewhere and more times than not It was agreeable. In other words, because of the confusion at home, thoughts weren't focused on what I was doing when I left home. Not to say that my parents didn't love me, but very often when we are dealing with our own problems at home we loose focus, because of the stress in our own lives.

Should we be our children's best friends? I think not. Many kids today are watching everything we do. Whether we are smoking, drinking or not dealing with our problems. They know every detail. We model so many things in there lives. Children project what they learn into there own lives. I remember wanting to be away from home because of alcoholism or fighting many times at home. I wanted to be any place but home. I babysit my brothers and sisters and sometimes even felt as though they were my own kids. I was the oldest out of 7 and had a great deal of responsibility because so often there was so much dysfunction going on there was a great deal of distractions of what we were doing at kids. We could wonder off for miles and there was never a problem with that because we could do what we wanted and as long as we were home before bedtime It was all good.

At 13 I left to go and live with my Dad and he was going through a divorce at the time and resowing some of his oats and was very liberal in what he would allow me to do. I of course had been sneaking around for a year before with cigarettes and I was caught smoking. I was amazed at how this seemed like it was really know big deal to him. He started buying me cigarettes and I felt very uncomfortable about it, but I pursued this because I was very young and didn't have a clue about judgements and how they could damage my life. It didn't seem to worry my parents at the time. Through this process, drinking was added and also I was allowed to drink. This was a critical time and it was so easy to do rebellious things or daring things because it was easily available. I moved in with my dad at the time because of the fighting at home which seemed unbearable at times. I was however not allowed to smoke or drink at home, it was a lack of supervision and not a great deal of focus on me because my mother was greatly distracted by her own problems.

I stayed with my dad and I thought he was the greatest at this time because he would let me do these things. I thought this was loving by allowing me to have my way. I can remember being dropped off at the corner hang out by my Father and he never questioned me or worried that my life could be in danger. I wasn't mature enough at the time to care because teenagers just wish to have there way and can't discern these things for themselves. Distant from my mother for several years I moved to Virginia with my Father without consent from my mother. My mom later discovered I was out of state and she went into a mode of panic. At this time I felt a huge emptiness and there was no God to direct my paths or nurturing from these harmful things that were happening.

My mother was insist ant that I come home. She sent for me a plane ticket and I flew back to my mother when I was 15 years old. I will never forget the feeling of seeing her run to me as I got off the plane. She grabbed me up and hugged me tighter than I ever remembered before. It was one of the best feelings that I can remember between us. I felt she truly cared. She had found out about the marijuana and was very concerned that I had became addicted on drugs. That was not the case but I had certainly lost a great deal of innocence of what I had become with open doors that allowed me to walk through them with little resistance.

At 16 barely shy of 17 I became an unwed mother. I had one boy friend and that was one from high school. Again I was allowed to date at an early age and very little restrictions placed upon me besides a 12 o'clock curfew. I was following suit in some of the other girls around me that had steady boyfriends. I was totally and literally as lost as a goose. My oldest daughter Erica descended into the world and an entire new experience came about. Even in the midst of hardship and being a young mother I knew I would do all I could to protect her. Thinking in the mind of a 17 year old. Still very immature but the best of intentions.

My point to this all is when my daughter came into her preteens, I knew I didn't want to be her best friend. I wanted to do what was best and protect her from the drug culture and would not allow her to drink in my presence and would teach her things about God that I had learned over the years. She went through her trials as well and rebellions. She to ran to places maybe she could be further acquainted with getting her way. It may have seemed like I was a prude, but did not want these things to happen to her life. My daughter is 29 now and she has children too. She told me recently in a conversation along with another teenage girl going through some problems her self. Your mother can't be your best friend growing up. I never knew why my mom wouldn't allow me to do certain things in my teenage years and you never really appreciate that type of care until you see the eyes of your own child. It is not important to be your child's best friend or to allow your vices to fall upon them.

There is a scripture that always brings me back to a sobering thought. Train up a child and when he is old he will not depart from it. Reading this if you look closely it says when he is old. God knows the young have rebellious hearts. These are the reasons he blessed children with parents to guide and steer them in the right directions. We didn't always go to Church but I did attempt to teach them the rules of walking a line of correction and consequences to bad decisions and cared enough to discipline and correct them when they made poor decisions. So many parents are dealing with these issues today, and we do not do our children justice when we put them in vulnerable positions and they watch our every moves and how we live our lives. They still look to us when they are grown and examine our true selves to what we teach to them. If it is hypocritical, when they see you doing these same things, they will bring it to your remembrance. Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it. Your teenager is not going to understand your rules but they definitely understand whether you are allowing them to be put in dangerous situations. They will reflect back and one day question why you allowed them to go through those doors.

We must never give them all of there desires. They are learning and want to have there way about it all. They can not discern having safe judgements without our guidance or concern. Your kids may not like you for it but they will love and appreciate you much in every way in the end. Care enough to tell them no. Care enough to check on them. Don not let them wonder off in a place that is very unknowing and unsafe for them. Communicate but do not compromise there lives for the sake of pleasing them apart from your better judgement. God bless, a lesson well learned from experience.

The Increasing Reliance of Mental Health Professionals On Drug Therapy Has Dangerous Consequences for Children

2011-06-19T08:58:00.001-05:00

This was α simplier Time . Memory of My Dad , R Nelson

Prescription drug abuse is growing increasingly popular. The growing trend is gradually

getting worse, and can include grave implications, such as coma and death. According to Dr. John Goathe, the director of the Burlingame Center for Psychiatric Research in Connecticut noted that the office visits for children being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs had increased more than 600% in the years of 1993-2002 (Szalavitz, M.,May 2009,Time Magazine). Even preschoolers are being exposed to anti-psychotic drugs. Children from the ages of 2- 4 have experienced a rapid growth rate by three times the amount of time over a 5 year span of time. (Null, G., the Drugging of our Children). The evidence will support the claim from professionals in the field of health. The intention of the argument is to bring awareness of the impending dangers our society is being presented with.

There is a great fear of compromise with the children being medicated, while their brains

have not fully developed. According to (Null) In 1986, researcher found brain shrinkage in 50 percent of adults that had been treated with stimulants for hyperactivity since childhood.
Doctors are aware that high doses of stimulants can cause brain damage, but no one has
Questioned the concern that chronic low doses could also create brain damage in the cases of children that are being treated for ADHD. We are becoming a medicated society, and while I agree the severe cases do have a cause of medication, we are becoming increasingly dependent upon drugs, and we don't know the underlying implications of what will be the outcome of the side effects.

The television advertisements are growing more in number marketing more new drugs that are relative to depression and emotional disorders. While listening to each commercial at the end you will be given a long list of side effects, and I think we are growing desensitized to the harm of the long term effects. Very often the side effects of the drugs can produce greater harm than good of the medication. The pharmaceutical companies are making an enormous amount of profit for a dangerous price at the expense of quality of life. (Null, Gary, The Drugging of our Children)noted “Ritalin’s side effects has a more potent effect on the brain than cocaine and we are supposed to be a country that eschews the use of mind altering substances, certainly for children”. There have been lawsuits filed against many unsafe medications and the Pharmaceuticals companies settled out of court. It was the highest lawsuit filed in US History. (Szalavitz,M.) Concluded in this case there were also huge criminal fines that were charged to some of the pharmaceutical companies for illegally marketing antipsychotic drugs. There were pay outs that were well over 5 billion dollars. There is a huge mark up on these medications and the production of new disorders continues to rise along with new medications to treat them with.

Through the research that I have compiled it seems relevant that the Big Phara companies may be more concerned for their profits than human life. The doctors are being put in a position of offering drugs over behavioral therapy because the insurance companies will not pay for talk therapy. The drugs that are administered do not prove to be any more effective than talk therapy. It is much quicker and more economical for health professionals to administer these drugs because time is money, and the insurance companies are balking at talk therapy. Fortunately the talk therapy has no harmful side effects, verses psychotic drugs depressants. According to (Gardiner, Harris March, 2011, New York Times), recent research from studies have concluded that talk therapy is as effective, if not noted, for better results treating depression. There is a growing problem because psychiatrist’s can earn more money in three 15 minute appointments at 150.00 compared to 90 dollars for a 45 minute counseling session. Insurance company’s policies discourage talk therapies because of their reimbursement rates. I believe this has to do with profit over quality care of patients. Of course if you are wealthy, this will not affect you because cash is not a problem. One young doctor by the name of Matthew Levin stated that he was concerned of the rising possibilities of putting his earnings against the ethics of his patients care. He is hoping to avoid those issues.

There are severe cases of mental illness that require drug treatment, and I am not disputing or arguing that fact. The problems are being reported that many, possibly half of the diagnosis’s are made are misdiagnosed. According to (Bruce,Shadrai; July, 2010) “Bi polar is often mistaken for depression, and this error occurs in almost half of those that have problems”. The problem with mis diagnosis is that while anti-depressants seem helpful for treating depression, it is not the proper way to treat those suffering from bi polar disorder. “Anti-depressants can worsen the disorder”. According to (Zimmerman, Mark) that lead the study in misdiagnosis he concluded by saying “Misdiagnosis can be very dangerous and have huge effects on the brain itself”. From the evidence I have researched these severe cases only make up 3 percent of the the population of the mentally ill and there are millions of prescriptions being written without the proper diagnosis. According to (Szalavitz,M.) there are many people that are being treated with Atypical Antipsychotic drugs and these drugs are for the treatment of schizophrenia and bi polar and this would make up about 3 percent. “In 2010 there were 56 million prescriptions filled for atypical antipsychotics”.

The most dangerous side effect these drugs cause is suicidal thoughts. I have a compiling list of 29 pages full of teens as well as some adults that committed suicide and some committed murder, and these psychotropic drugs were in there systems. They had already been treated by a Psychiatrist. According to (Teen Screen Truth p.1) they raise the question if these drugs actually increase, suicide, violence and murder. They are quoted as saying. “If drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Ritalin, Xanax, Paxil, Thorazine and other related“anti-depressants” are actually an effective treatment, one would naturally expect suicides, murders and violent behavior to be decreasing, yet this is apparently the reverse of what is happening”. The statistics are growing higher regarding teen suicide. Some of these drugs in fact cause Akathisia, this is a mental agitation that can spark violent outbursts. It can also cause dissociative reactions, desensitizing the impact of the poor choices of wrong in the patients behavior. (Teen Screen Truth).

      We should be able to feel comfortable knowing that doctors are providing us with healthy
decisions concerning our heath. The problem that is being encountered is the side effects are growing at an accelerated rate and the overload can impair the better judgments of our health care providers. They have to sift through so many side effects and this takes a great deal of time. In an investigation done by (Duke, John Dr.) he stated “the concern of doctors being overloaded with side effects and a possible weakening in judgment to treat their patients safely.”While some of the side effects are listed on medicine bottles and are announced in the media, this is to protect the pharmaceutical companies and also the doctors that write out the prescriptions unfortunately leaving the patients vulnerable. This does not apply to all doctors but is very likely that it does happen with many of them.


     The greatest and most alarming conclusions lie within our children. There is a new wave of medications that have been drawn to children. ADHD and ADD. It is becoming common
practice in the public school system to determine whether our children need drugs. According to (Null, G.p.2 paragraph 4)he noted “ In some instances taking medicine is a prerequisite for attending school, with refusal to comply considered grounds for dismissal, or worse, removal of the child from the home by the state”. According to (Baughman, Fred Dr.) a board certified child Neurologist trained at New York University and Mount Sinai, he stated “It’s one thing for a court to intervene and take over as legal guardian in a case where a child’s life is truly at risk, but quite another when psychotropic drugs are forced on children who don’t fit into the mold.”

Teachers are the ones that usually disclose the information to the parents along with the school counselor. This is dangerous because teachers are not doctors. It is not uncommon for 5 year old children to wiggle in their desks. Normal children are full of natural energy. According to (Null,G. p.3 para 2) he stated “What one person views as distractibility, for instance another may view as natural inquisitiveness” Many times these children are placed on medications and it is simply not needed. The psychologists of the school and recommendationsof the teacher’s evaluations of the student pressure the parents to drug their children and the parents comply because they believe they are doing what is in the best interest of their child. According to Psychologist (McGuiness, Diane, 1991) she concluded by saying, “We have invented a disease, given it medical sanction, and now must disown it. The major question is, how do we go about destroying the monster we’ve created?” There are parents that now grief and wish they would have sought after second opinions but they cannot because there children are dead. (Teen Screen Truth).

This information I am about to share in one that is startling and could in fact cause life time implications on this generation of children being medicated with anti-psychotic drugs. When a child reaches the age of puberty there frontal lobe begins to grow and develop at the most growth rate since infancy. It doesn’t fully develop until the age of around 20. These years are very critical for children. The frontal lobe of our brain is where our emotions of judgment, anger and self-control and reasoning lie. (Psychology and Life 18^thedition) We often wonder why teenagers are so hard to deal with at this age and this gives us a general idea of why this can be a critical time for them. It is normal development because there are huge changes in the frontal lobe that can cause emotional upheaval during these years. The drugs can actually slow down the growth of normal development by blocking areas of the brain that have not fully matured. I am afraid we may be selling our children out to these pharmaceutical companies. Teen suicide is increasing daily and the statistics of these drugs are ever showing there ugly faces. Psychiatrist (Cole, Joseph, p.9 Para. 1) stated “The brains of young children are developing rapidly, he pointed out, the drugs can alter the process”.

Something very important to remember, according to (Null, G p. 9 Para. 6) The majority of doctors that are prescribing these medications are M. D.’s, they are not Psychiatrists, but primary care givers. They do not have the qualified training of mental illnesses to know what can happen in writing prescriptions for these life altering drugs. It has a great deal to do with quality health care and once again finances over quality of life. (Parents Magazine) points out, “Here, as with almost everything else in the tangled world of health care, behavioral problems, partly because most managed-care plans readily cover the cost of medication but often won’t pay for long-term alternative treatments, such as talk or behavioral therapy.

In my conclusion the point I hope I have properly demonstrated is that we must be careful
with these medications. Research all you can before making a decision to use them and I
would strongly recommend that you get a second opinion and be sure the proper tests are being conducted in order to determine the correct diagnosis. I believe we are on a down ward spiral in the mental health profession with the abuse of anti-depressive and psychotic drugs. There is compounding evidence that money serves a great value to the pharmaceutical industry over quality of life.

References:

Bright, Paul (July 2009) Mark Zimmerman’s study of Bi polar often misdiagnosed, study reveals

Bruce, S. (July 2010) Bipolar is Often misdiagnosed as Depression

Gardiner, H. (March 2011) Talk doesn’t pay, so Psychiatry turns instead to drug therapy. New York Times

Null, G. The Drugging of our Children (familyrightsassociation.com/bihn/white_papers-articles/drugging_our_children/) Joseph Cole

Teen Screen Truth- www.teenscreentruth.com/psychiatry_drugs_suicide.html

Szalavitz, M. (May 2009) Drugging the Vunerable: Atypical Antipsychotics in Children and the Elderly, Time Magazine

Why is Outreach so Important?

2011-06-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

Why is Outreach Important?

Outreach is important to our church because it is important to God and that makes it important to every Christian for the following reasons:
• Outreach was commanded by Christ. Before His ascension, Jesus told the disciples that their impact on the world should start in their city and expand its influence into the entire world (Matthew 28.19; Acts 1:8; 2 Peter 3:9).
• Outreach is necessary for growth. Worship, discipleship, and serving are important, but if you never progress to the next stage of maturity by being involved in outreach, you will be spiritually lacking and incomplete. In life, organisms that cannot reproduce themselves are generally considered immature, unnatural, unhealthy, or damaged. If one is truly walking with God in discipleship, worship, and service, then outreach will be a natural result. All living things have the ability to produce offspring like themselves. A living church is reproducing, while a dying church has no heart or burden for the lost in their community, state, nation and world (Matthew 9:9-12).
• Outreach both glorifies and pleases God. The Bible tells us that doing God’s work is like a tree bearing a lot of fruit. Jesus told us that God is glorified when we bear fruit by reaching out to others (John 15:8; 1 Timothy 2:3–4).
• Outreach models the life of Christ in meeting needs. Jesus taught us that serving others is the same as serving Christ himself (Matthew 25:31–46).
• Outreach is needed for the survival of Christ’s church. Outreach is to a church what birth is to humanity. Without the reproduction of faith the body of Christ would cease to exist (Luke 15:7).
• Outreach is necessary to reach the world. Of the six billion people in our world, two billion live in unreached people groups with no access to the good news about Christ. Two-thirds of the world’s population are lost without Christ and will not know Him unless Christians fulfill their obligation to go, tell and send (Matthew 28.19; Romans 10:14).
• Outreach results in God’s blessing and favor on your life. The Bible is very clear that God intends to bless those whose hearts are focused on reaching out to lost and hurting people. God clearly affirms those who share His passion and heart for reaching out to those who do not know Him (Genesis 12:1–3; Luke 6:38).
• Outreach requires synergy. Loving our community and world will require individual and organizational cooperation. It calls each of us to set aside our individual preferences and combine our time, talents, and treasures (Ecclesiastes 4:9).