Dealing with Religious Responses to Disability

I laugh internally. Same when people say God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle lol

I’m a Catholic and without preaching I think something important to remember or know is that in my faith God gave people the right to make their own decisions. Our failure in health I consider more to be societies failure in making choices for the good of all. For example I believe the amount of processed food plays a huge role in most people’s health. I do believe that there may be times where God makes us a certain way but I do not believe this to be the case for everyone— In any case religion or any other factors should not be used to dismiss your health or the opportunity to get better. — I enjoy when anyone of any religion prays for me because I appreciate the positive vibes so for anyone who would like my prayers I will send them out to you.

Before I start I wanna say I know not all Christians are like this and that despite my jokes I respect all beliefs that don’t aim to harm. Most of these cases are bad churches and not necessarily the religion. I was raised baptist Christian and became atheist around the age of 13 when I came out as queer. I’m now nearly 18 and not gonna lie, paganism or witchcraft is pretty neat but I’m still not someone with a label. I have religious trauma from not only being queer and a woman, but also from the fear mongering my churches did (although I will say my bf goes to a progressive church and it’s nice there) I hate being told that god gives his challenges to those who can handle it. Like his looked at four year old me and was like “lmao watch this” Or like when you make progress you worked so fucking hard for and people are like ‘I guess my prayers helped’ or ‘thank god for this’ like no, I and my doctors/therapist worked out asses off for this. I also hate that some people say it’s gods punishments for me. I’m just a kid (well I’m gonna be 18 soon but all this shizz started at a young age) like why would a god do this if he loves his people especially people so young and innocent. Ooooo don’t even get me started on periods I hate people saying “Eve are the apple so now us women have to pay the price” I didn’t do that so why am I paying for it? I have pcos and pmdd I literally wanna not be alive and have terrible bed binding cramps…. Not to mention the 147 days of bleeding I had. Stuffs crazy. Again I love y’all Christians that are open minded and don’t say/ do these things. If your religion makes you happy and improves your life keep going for it! It’s just not for me.

I don't really believe that's how god works and it confuses the hell out of me.

I think what they’re trying to say is everyone has different obstacles to overcome (whether it be physically or mentally). They most likely aren’t trying to minimize or be dismissive (though I definitely know it feels that way).

I hate it. Yeah sure because God wants me to live an horrible life

It makes me pretty annoyed especially when I’m trying to come to terms with the medical conditions I have to live with on the daily. After my surgery I was told I was “ungrateful for the second chance” . Religious trauma and the medical trauma on top of that can really alter the way you look at situations

He wouldn’t have given us the ability to discover treatments if it wasn’t meant to be. God is a God of reality - not one of worry or obsessive thoughts. It’s something I’ve heard before too. He wants you to live your life to the fullest. People often don’t understand that our brain is affected by our environments just as the rest of our body is. If I had a dislocated arm, I wouldn’t just say God meant for it to be that way. We change and sometimes we need something to help us in our journey toward a healthier us.

It's not how God is, so it pisses me off. I'm a strong Christian, and my God loves me so much and so strongly and so unbelievably. He literally created us for the garden of Eden--a place that was without any and all pain. He did NOT create us to be in pain. This is a broken world, and I believe Satan will do whatever it is in his power to keep people from God's love. Often, he uses other Christians/religion to do just that. To everyone in the comments who have been hurt by this, I am truly deeply sorry for any and all hurt inflected on you by religion and others who proclaim themselves Christians. God sees your suffering and weeps ❤

Because I had a catholic upbringing, I do subconsciously rely on good to accept that I can't change myself. But it always bugs me that who can't be happy like these other people, and why is it so hard for me to control my primary emotion when other people do have to worry about that. I try to find a way to be grateful for all that I am and all I have. I feel flawed, and I wonder why God couldn't have made me a little happier or less anxious or given me perfect help. I got a decent family, but as my mental health deteriorates, I end up hurting them and myself in the process.

Its stupid. Why should i feel happy that god gave me chronic pain? I dont even believe in god but if he was real and he did do that, i would hate him

It's not comforting and really ironic, because I was a premmy that wouldn't be alive under natural circumstances without modern medicine intervening. Meanwhile that same person could be against me having birthcontrol because it prevents pregnancy, all the meanwhile I have it to help control chronic migraines.

"I'm looking for support and comfort right now, and that doesn't make me feel supported or comforted."

It upsets me. I feel as if they are diminishing my problems and brushing them off. I view it as them saying I should be grateful that god made me this way. I’m also not religious so it’s not someone else’s place to be implementing their beliefs onto me. Their religion has nothing to do with my medical issues so for them to use it as an excuse to belittle me is upsetting. I understand some people mean it with good intentions, it’s the ones who mean it in a “you’re ungrateful” way that upset me. It’s okay for people to have their own beliefs etc. I’m okay with that. I just don’t like when they’re forced on me or used against me.

it pisses me off. i’m not religious but if god is supposedly this all powerful righteous being, why would they let so many people suffer? it sure as hell isn’t to make me stronger because if one more bad thing happens to me, i will break.

It enrages me honestly. I don't belive in any god or gods. Because look at the world around us. Look at US, we are here and suffering we are real, tangible, physical beings. Have much religious trauma and general disdain for anyone who hides real issues behind their supposed god. If you belive in a god that is between you and said god. Good for you, don't use it in correlation with my illness and gender/lack thereof

I feel like, if we were all made to be perfect in god’s image, then why do I have all these ailments?

i don’t mind it; it definitely isn’t *helpful* per se but an “it is what it is” mindset and acceptance that i can’t change it is how i function best

Makes sense, I have a lot of religious trauma as well and unfortunately I can’t escape when my parents, mostly mom, brings it up.

It kind of angers me because I have a lot of religious trauma. It also bothers me because why would the creator intentionally harm you.