Religious Ideas Have Consequences! – Laura Urista

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Question:

My sister is in the hospital in ICU. She hasn’t taken any of her meds for diabetes or heart issues for 2 years. My sister has neglected her health to the point where she has sepsis, a blood sugar of 580 and is hallucinating at the hospital. Her heart is extremely weak, and they aren’t sure she’s going to survive this.

She and my niece (her oldest daughter) have become obsessed with end-times videos on YouTube, particularly Rapture Watchers. They are so convinced that the rapture is going to happen that my niece basically doesn’t work and her 2 youngest kids are not being educated. They are 10 and 8. The 10-year-old reads at a 1st grade level and the 8-year-old cannot write his name. They are supposed to be home schooled, but it isn’t happening. The kids will even say, “I would like a birthday party, but I don’t know if we will be around to have one.” My niece will say things like, “imagine if your birthday is in heaven instead.” At this point, there is so much going on, I have no idea even what I need prayer for. I have tried talking to my sister many times about this “obsession” but I had no idea it had contributed to the trauma my sister is enduring. I need prayers for wisdom.

Response:

We are deeply saddened to hear about your sister, and we will be praying for her healing from sepsis. We will also keep her as well as your whole family in our prayers concerning their obsession with “end-times/rapture” ideas … popularized by books and videos. CWR/PTM is profoundly aware of the fear and even terror that “end-times” preaching can bring, along with the real consequences that can happen in the lives of those who are forever living on the edge of anxiety and uncertainty.   

With all the tragedies so many have endured recently, folks are increasingly filled with anxiety and fear about the future. Sadly, the fears of people have been stoked to such a toxic place, by religion and politics, that this dysfunctional emotional and spiritual reality you describe your sister enduring is a nightmare, a spiritual and emotional prison many inhabit.  I wrote an article about my own personal anxiety-related health issues as a child, teenager and young adult due to my Dad’s beliefs about the end-times. Doomsday, Armageddon scenarios haunted me, my siblings and closest friends as we grew up. I’m including a link to my article here in case you might like to read it or pass it along, it’s called “Out of the Tribulation Closet.”

May God grant you wisdom and may he bless your sister and her family with grace, peace and his love which drives out fear.

In  Jesus’ name,

Laura Urista