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Every human in
our world experiences moments of self-reflection, doubt and skepticism.
We search for answers that help us define God's role in our lives and
our relevance to the universe and beyond. These are not new questions.
The Urantia Book can be a valuable source of enlightenment and comfort
when a soul is faced with Life's Toughest Questions. Click on a question
you've struggled with and discover The Urantia Book's perspective on
some of life's most difficult and frequently-asked questions.
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Q: If a person suffers from severe mental illness which caused them to
commit wrongful acts while in a state of "mania" is there any chance
for redemption? Does the ancient belief that the mentally ill are
possessed by evil spirits have any credibility? What can a severely
mentally ill person do, if they feel that are somehow being influenced
by something they cannot control?
A: Thank you for writing to us here at Truthbook.com,
a website dedicated
to the teachings of The
Urantia Book
Since your question is primarily concerning a person who suffers from
mental illness, I must first advise you that the person in
question (whether it is you, or someone else) should see a medical
professional as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. We are
not equipped to lend medical advice...
No matter what our transgressions, there is always a chance for
redemption, which can be synonymous with "salvation," as in this
passage about Jesus' love towards sinners; and not only redemption, but
"eternal rehabilitation." This Urantia Book quote is about the cross of
Jesus, and its significance to sinners.
(188:5.2)
"The cross forever shows that
the attitude of Jesus toward
sinners was neither condemnation nor condonation, but rather eternal
and loving salvation. Jesus is truly a savior in the sense that his
life and death do win men over to goodness and righteous survival.
Jesus loves men so much that his love awakens the response of love in
the human heart. Love is truly contagious and eternally creative.
Jesus' death on the cross exemplifies a love which is sufficiently
strong and divine to forgive sin and swallow up all evil-doing. Jesus
disclosed to this world a higher quality of righteousness than
justice—mere technical right and wrong. Divine love does not
merely forgive wrongs; it absorbs and actually destroys them. The
forgiveness of love utterly transcends the forgiveness of mercy. Mercy
sets the guilt of evil-doing to one side; but love destroys forever the
sin and all weakness resulting therefrom. Jesus brought a new method of
living to Urantia. He taught us not to resist evil but to find through
him a goodness which effectually destroys evil. The forgiveness of
Jesus is not condonation; it is salvation from condemnation. Salvation
does not slight wrongs; it makes them right. True love does not
compromise nor condone hate; it destroys it. The love of Jesus is never
satisfied with mere forgiveness. The Master's love implies
rehabilitation, eternal survival. It is altogether proper to speak of
salvation as redemption if you mean this eternal rehabilitation."
God's forgiveness is also forthcoming for our sinful acts:
(146:2.4)
"...The Father in heaven
has
forgiven you even before you have
thought to ask him..."
As for the second part of your question: There was a time on our planet
when this belief that evil spirits could possess the minds of men did
have some credibility...even in Jesus' time, there were rebel midwayers
still
roaming the earth - remnants of the Lucifer
rebellion
who were able to
influence the minds of men - but since the day of Pentecost,
over 2000 years ago, when the
Spirit of Truth that Jesus promised was poured out upon all flesh, no
evil spirit has had
the power to affect the minds of mankind.
(77:7.8)
"The entire group of rebel midwayers is at present
held prisoner by order of the Most Highs of Edentia. No more do they
roam this world on mischief bent. Regardless of the presence of the
Thought Adjusters, the pouring out of the Spirit of Truth upon all
flesh forever made it impossible for disloyal spirits of any sort or
description ever again to invade even the most feeble of human minds.
Since the day of Pentecost there never again can be such a thing as
demoniacal possession."
As for the third part of your question: All of us sometimes have the
feeling that we are influenced by factors out of our control, and yet,
this
does not necessarily denote mental illness; however, if a person is
convinced that they are "severely mentally ill" it is of great
importance that they go to see a medical professional as soon as
possible...
And at any time, any person who feels ill - mentally or physically -
can turn to prayer as a supplemental means of feeling better:
(91:6.2)
"Prayer is not a technique for curing real and organic diseases,
but it has contributed enormously to the enjoyment of abundant health
and to the cure of numerous mental, emotional, and nervous ailments."
Thanks again for writing to us. Please click on the links provided to
open the text and best wishes.
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