RE: Is religion a crutch?
February 6, 2017 at 2:31 pm
(This post was last modified: February 6, 2017 at 2:32 pm by MTL.)
(February 6, 2017 at 2:18 pm)Jörmungandr Wrote: What's the difference between a crutch and a healthy coping mechanism? A hobby and an obsession?
Where do you draw the line between otherwise innocuous behavior and a "crutch?"
bold, mine.
Healthy coping mechanisms are healthy.
Crutches usually aren't.
A soccer mom having a few kids, and has other interests, too, is healthy: not a crutch.
women who keep having babies for attention, and have no life outside of that, isn't: crutch.
Personally, I would say,
A healthy coping mechanism means you are "managing" your problems.
A crutch means your problems are managing you.
But it's ultimately for the individual to decide; they have to be honest with themselves.
And, just because a person has a crutch, doesn't mean I necessarily have a problem with them.
Take my example of the "born-again" AA Christian.
I said alcohol was his crutch, and now Jesus is.
Neither crutch would be a problem for me if it only affects him:
he is a grown man, if he wants to pickle his liver in order to cope with life, that's his business...
....unless he drives while drunk.
Then I take issue with his crutch.
If he finds Jesus, and Jesus is a preferable coping mechanism to alcohol, for him, then fine...
....until he shows up on my doorstep (which he did) and harasses me with his religion
because he thinks everyone is just like him (which everyone is not).
Then I take issue with his crutch.
