Are we a Prozac People?

[Archaea]

Today in HP Group, the lesson pertained to sufferings and trials, which inevitably boiled down to "choose to be happy despite the circumstances."

But the class examples struck me as odd and perhaps out of place.

First brother spoke of how he lost his infant son, but that he wasn't sad but almost glad for the spiritual enlightenment.

Second brother spoke of his teenage daughter overdosing on his heart medicine, with the same glib observations. It almost seems Mormons try to outdo each other as how spiritual they wish to appear, suffering horrible things only to say, "I felt so comforted." Is this why we're not moved by the sufferings of Afghani or Iraqi children, do we just pass it off, as "Oh they're in a better place now?"

Now I'm certain I didn't witness these people grieving, but it almost seemed inhuman. Isn't it okay to grieve and to feel sadness over bad events? Are some people just constantly pumped up on prozac that they feeling nothing? Are they alive?

I hope I never get to point past feeling, where bad things don't impact me, and happy things don't move me. An odd moment for me.

[CardiacCoug]

Has Pangloss ("All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds") been canonized yet?

A similar statement that will soon be canonized is "Everything happens for a reason." That is the stupidest statement of all time on multiple levels.

[RedHeadGal]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Today in HP Group, the lesson pertained to sufferings and trials, which inevitably boiled down to "choose to be happy despite the circumstances."

But the class examples struck me as odd and perhaps out of place.

First brother spoke of how he lost his infant son, but that he wasn't sad but almost glad for the spiritual enlightenment.

Second brother spoke of his teenage daughter overdosing on his heart medicine, with the same glib observations. It almost seems Mormons try to outdo each other as how spiritual they wish to appear, suffering horrible things only to say, "I felt so comforted." Is this why we're not moved by the sufferings of Afghani or Iraqi children, do we just pass it off, as "Oh they're in a better place now?"

Now I'm certain I didn't witness these people grieving, but it almost seemed inhuman. Isn't it okay to grieve and to feel sadness over bad events? Are some people just constantly pumped up on prozac that they feeling nothing? Are they alive?

I hope I never get to point past feeling, where bad things don't impact me, and happy things don't move me. An odd moment for me.

Maybe they were speaking from the perspective of hindsight? As in glossing over the pain and anguish they may have felt to get to the part they think it most worth sharing--the part where they come to peace with it all.

This story reminds me of Elizabeth Smart's recent appearance on Oprah (I know, your favorite show), where she explained how she is totally fine and her experience of being abducted and (presumably) raped never bothered her at all because she's home now and has faith or some such. No therapy required! It was kind of spooky watching her say that stuff.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by RedHeadGal

This story reminds me of Elizabeth Smart's recent appearance on Oprah (I know, your favorite show), where she explained how she is totally fine and her experience of being abducted and (presumably) raped never bothered her at all because she's home now and has faith or some such. No therapy required! It was kind of spooky watching her say that stuff.

It was very disconcerting.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Today in HP Group, the lesson pertained to sufferings and trials, which inevitably boiled down to "choose to be happy despite the circumstances."

But the class examples struck me as odd and perhaps out of place.

First brother spoke of how he lost his infant son, but that he wasn't sad but almost glad for the spiritual enlightenment.

Second brother spoke of his teenage daughter overdosing on his heart medicine, with the same glib observations. It almost seems Mormons try to outdo each other as how spiritual they wish to appear, suffering horrible things only to say, "I felt so comforted." Is this why we're not moved by the sufferings of Afghani or Iraqi children, do we just pass it off, as "Oh they're in a better place now?"

Now I'm certain I didn't witness these people grieving, but it almost seemed inhuman. Isn't it okay to grieve and to feel sadness over bad events? Are some people just constantly pumped up on prozac that they feeling nothing? Are they alive?

I hope I never get to point past feeling, where bad things don't impact me, and happy things don't move me. An odd moment for me.

There can be a lot of pressure to manifest the joy of the Spirit, or the peace that surpasses understanding, or to prove that one is accepting of the will of God. That kind of pressure lends itself to believers trying to one-up each other with stories of just how "at peace" they are with the most awful experiences.

I don't think anything good can come from such discussions. They serve only to boost the self-righteousness of the naturally sanguine among us, reinforce the notion that one should be able to weather every storm in a buoyant little-orphan-Annie fashion, and undermine the faith of those who struggle to make sense of and come to terms with life's difficulties.

There is a need to teach the peace of Christ and the power to overcome. But to turn such lessons into these kinds of bragging-fests is a spiritual and psychological disservice to pretty much everyone present.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

There can be a lot of pressure to manifest the joy of the Spirit, or the peace that surpasses understanding, or to prove that one is accepting of the will of God. That kind of pressure lends itself to believers trying to one-up each other with stories of just how "at peace" they are with the most awful experiences.

I don't think anything good can come from such discussions. They serve only to boost the self-righteousness of the naturally sanguine among us, reinforce the notion that one should be able to weather every storm in a buoyant little-orphan-Annie fashion, and undermine the faith of those who struggle to make sense of and come to terms with life's difficulties.

There is a need to teach the peace of Christ and the power to overcome. But to turn such lessons into these kinds of bragging-fests is a spiritual and psychological disservice to pretty much everyone present.

Well said.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by RedHeadGal

Maybe they were speaking from the perspective of hindsight? As in glossing over the pain and anguish they may have felt to get to the part they think it most worth sharing--the part where they come to peace with it all.

This story reminds me of Elizabeth Smart's recent appearance on Oprah (I know, your favorite show), where she explained how she is totally fine and her experience of being abducted and (presumably) raped never bothered her at all because she's home now and has faith or some such. No therapy required! It was kind of spooky watching her say that stuff.

I don't doubt your characterization is part of the equation, but it just seemed so surreal, so lacking in humanity. Yes internal resolution and some peace with events is important for psychological health, but the attitude about a very horrible thing not bothering them seemed very Children of the Cornish. Dali would be proud.

In reality, I kinda expect people to internalize more, "it was horrific, and still pains me from time to time, but I've come to grips with it in this manner...."

How can we build up those who suffer if we expect them to "just have faith and get over it?" It also ignores those will biologically originated emotional difficulties and many other issues. It appears to me, we believe "Gospel" answers everything like magic, but perhaps I'm oversimplifying.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

There can be a lot of pressure to manifest the joy of the Spirit, or the peace that surpasses understanding, or to prove that one is accepting of the will of God. That kind of pressure lends itself to believers trying to one-up each other with stories of just how "at peace" they are with the most awful experiences.

I don't think anything good can come from such discussions. They serve only to boost the self-righteousness of the naturally sanguine among us, reinforce the notion that one should be able to weather every storm in a buoyant little-orphan-Annie fashion, and undermine the faith of those who struggle to make sense of and come to terms with life's difficulties.

There is a need to teach the peace of Christ and the power to overcome. But to turn such lessons into these kinds of bragging-fests is a spiritual and psychological disservice to pretty much everyone present.

Thank you.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by RedHeadGal

Maybe they were speaking from the perspective of hindsight? As in glossing over the pain and anguish they may have felt to get to the part they think it most worth sharing--the part where they come to peace with it all.

This story reminds me of Elizabeth Smart's recent appearance on Oprah (I know, your favorite show), where she explained how she is totally fine and her experience of being abducted and (presumably) raped never bothered her at all because she's home now and has faith or some such. No therapy required! It was kind of spooky watching her say that stuff.

Wow. I hadn't heard that, but then I haven't been following the story.
Sounds like some serious denial.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

There can be a lot of pressure to manifest the joy of the Spirit, or the peace that surpasses understanding, or to prove that one is accepting of the will of God. That kind of pressure lends itself to believers trying to one-up each other with stories of just how "at peace" they are with the most awful experiences.

I don't think anything good can come from such discussions. They serve only to boost the self-righteousness of the naturally sanguine among us, reinforce the notion that one should be able to weather every storm in a buoyant little-orphan-Annie fashion, and undermine the faith of those who struggle to make sense of and come to terms with life's difficulties.

There is a need to teach the peace of Christ and the power to overcome. But to turn such lessons into these kinds of bragging-fests is a spiritual and psychological disservice to pretty much everyone present.

Very, very well said. Thanks.

Nothing like adding to the guilt of the one who then quietly asks, "What's wrong with me? Why can't I just get over it so easily..."