DBSA Tennessee Past President, S.L. Brannon
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The Author

A healthy spiritual life is vital to recovery and wellness for those living with a mental health challenge. I share my spiritual faith system, one of my own design. In my book, I encourage everyone to do the same - create a spiritual life that works for you.

Purchase and read my book, The Two Agreements: A Good News Story for Our Time. In its pages, you can find ideas on finding peace and health. And you will be making a donation to the Tennessee local chapter.

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Teens are found to seek their own paths to spirituality

10/29/2015

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I find this article very hopeful. I feel each individual is capable of experiencing the Divine in their own way. The long held belief that we must go to a particular building and experience religion in particular manner is archaic. We as a people, Divine beings, are well past this way of thinking and living. The youth of our nation know this truth intuitively. It is time the rest of us got in step with the free spirit our teens have discovered.


Teens navigate own paths when it comes to religion
BY GRACE ADEE
Chicago Tribune
 
When you think of teens today, "religious" might not be the first word that comes to mind. A common perception might be that teens are too shallow to embrace something as complex and introspective as spirituality.
But why is this? The teen years are a time for self discovery on a deeper level. Shouldn't religion be a part of the discussion?
GENERATION GAP
According to the Pew Research Center, young millennials (people between 18 and 24) are much less religiously affiliated than older generations - about 36 percent are religiously unaffiliated. This group is sometimes called religious "nones."
But young adults also approach religion from a different perspective than older adults. Many practice their religion in ways that stray from the specifically defined rules of organized religions of older generations. For some, religion is less about the ceremony and more about being thoughtful and spiritual.
"The Jewish faith is important to me because it gives me a sense of belonging and comfort that there is a higher power looking over me," Homewood-Flossmoor junior Sarah Weiner said. "There are some strict rules that can go along with being Jewish, such as keeping kosher. I do not keep kosher, as a personal choice. I don't agree with the idea that you need to follow every little rule in the book to be a part of a faith. Not to say that I have anything against those who do keep kosher, it's just my personal choice."
BREAKING TRADITION
Jones sophomore Madison Thompson, who identifies as a Buddhist, experiences religion in a way that wouldn't be familiar to those who practice more traditionally by going to a church, temple or mosque.
"Most days, I seek time to meditate, but that is more for my own state of mind rather than my religion, I guess," Thompson said. "I don't attend church or go to a temple."
Outside the confines of a typical religious service, teens are finding other ways to connect spiritually. The synagogue Temple Sholom offers many active teen programs, including the Orr Shalom youth group, which allows teens to get involved in social justice issues in their community. Nondenominational Christian organization Park Community Church also gets teen members involved in service projects, which Pastor Mike Rolfes said can be a valuable religious experience.
"It makes their faith seem more real and alive (when) they can see an outward expression of it," Rolfes said. "They like things that make what they hear on Sunday more practical."
Park Community Church has locations throughout Chicago, and Rolfes said it is a modern religious experience in itself. He believes that this might play a role in attracting high school students to their services.
"It's a very modern church," he explained. "If you go into the main campus, you don't see a lot of crosses or stained-glass windows. We try to make them as inviting as possible for people who aren't accustomed to going to church."
This departure from the traditional environment of organ music and pews might make teens feel more comfortable with religion, as if it's not so separate from their everyday lives. Even those who are devout in their religions, such as Islamic Foundation School junior Haroon Ghiasudden, are able to merge their faith with today's modern culture.
"I am more traditional in my approach (to religion), but I find that it can still fit a contemporary lifestyle (or) setting," Ghiasudden said.
QUESTIONING THE FAITH
Agnosticism, the belief that the existence of a god cannot be proven, and atheism, the disbelief in god or gods, are other religious perspectives that some teens seem to find compelling. Though in 2014 only 7 percent of Americans identified as agnostic or atheist, that number had grown 3 percent since 2007.
Both Walter Payton sophomore Ella Altamirano and New Trier sophomore Nicole Daniels identify as agnostic atheists, meaning that they do not believe in a god or gods, and believe that there is no way to prove it.
"As time progresses, I seem to find more and more solace in the absence of a god," Daniels said.
Altamirano said that while she doesn't consider her beliefs on religion an important part of her life now, her decision to identify as an atheist involved discussion and consideration. When she was younger, she spent time researching the theory behind atheism and found it relevant to her life and her beliefs.
"I ended up talking and thinking a lot about atheism during middle school due to my friends and classmates; the majority of my middle school (peers), including a few of my friends, were religious," she said. "However, my two closest friends at school were both strong atheists, so this contrast came up a lot, and we often discussed our views and others' views on religion."
PARENTAL GUIDANCE
Of course, many teens stick with the religious ideals of their parents and grandparents. Jones sophomore Pedro Lagunas considers himself a dedicated Catholic, but that didn't come naturally at first.
"I grew up practicing this religion because I was forced to," Lagunas said. "However, as I grew older, I became very interested in my religion and practice it a lot more often."
Parents also can play a role in influencing teens' religious lives. For some teens, parents serve as a spiritual support system.
"Whenever my parents see that I miss Mass or see that I'm acting different, they would usually talk to me and have me talk to God," Lagunas said. "It is very important to my parents that I'm religious because they see that whenever I get closer to God, I get happier."
Ghiasudden's parents have played a role in his religious life as well.
"My parents are pretty devout Muslims and have enrolled me in private Islamic schools that allowed me to get a religious and secular education," he said. "Of course it's important to them that I'm religious, but it's as important to me."
Others, though, find that their parents' opinions don't influence how they choose to practice.
"My mother has always been passive about my beliefs," Thompson said. "My father, however, still urges me to attend church sometimes, as he actually almost became a minister at one point in his life. I don't let single-sided views change my practice and participation in religion."
Teri Frankiewicz, a parent of two teens in Arlington Heights, said she doesn't particularly care if her children stick with their Catholic upbringing.
"It is very important to me that my children are spiritual, but not necessarily religious," she said. "It's important for them to understand a relationship with a higher power. It keeps them grounded to something far greater than themselves."
STILL FIGURING IT OUT
Part of being a teen is exploring different aspects of identity for the first time. Religion is one aspect of that, and while it might not be as important to teens now as it was a few decades ago, it definitely still plays a role.
Though teens hold many different beliefs on the subject of religion, many agreed that simply experiencing the world around them and respecting others are the most important values.
"A religious experience for me is the feeling of understanding and joy," Thompson said. "I find it within random moments that I am simply being or experiencing something I find beautiful or comforting."
- Brianna Powell of Homewood-Flossmoor High School contributed to this story.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Grace Adee attends Jones College Prep and is a correspondent for The Mash.
The Mash is the Chicago Tribune's newspaper and website written for teens, by teens. The paper is distributed for free each Thursday at Chicago-area high schools and is written largely by high school students.

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Accepting the good news of liberty frees the the soul

10/18/2015

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MILLIONAIRE pastors: evidence that church is big business

10/14/2015

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Churches are big business. These bank accounts prove it to be a very lucrative business at that. I refer to churches as "faith built" instead of the common term that is used, faith-based. My term means that they are built by the intention of men and women who happen to be people of faith. People use the other term to give the impression that the church is built by the Divine and people come along and base their faith in the work of the Divine. Bottomline, organized religion is the creation of humans. 

BTW: ​Don't you wish you made a pay check that is even a fraction of what these men collect in the offering plate each week?


                                   10 richest pastors - You Won't Believe Are Millionaires

 
 A few years ago no one would have thought that being a pastor could be a ticket to fortune and wealth, but times have changed. Below is a list of 10 Richest Pastors who are raking in megabucks as they spread the word.

1. David Oyedepo $150 Million
Being a cleric has never been so profitable ask Nigerian pastor David Oyedepo whose net worth sits at $150 million. Oyedepo also known as “papa” is the founder of Living Faith Church World Wide.  The man Of God is not shy of splurging his wealth on the good life. He owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a fleet of private jets.
2. Benny Hinn $42 Million
The American Evangelist has been spreading the word since 1983 when he established the Orlando Christian Center. Hinn’s popularity has continued to soar through the years, which has seen him become one of the richest pastors with a net worth of $42 Million. His ability to “cure” terminal illnesses such as cancer has, however, been a source of controversy.
3. Joel Osteen $40 Million
Joel’s high-watt charisma has endeared audiences all over the world. He is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, which was founded by his late father John Osteen. Today, Lakewood stands as the largest and fastest growing church in America. With over 38,000 attendees every week, the Church undoubtedly brings in thousands. But Joel’s appeal transcends the altar; he is also a bestselling author. His net worth stands at $40 million.
4. Chris Oyakhilome 'pastor Chris'  $30-50 Million
Oyakhilome is yet another Nigerian Pastor who is making some good money from the church ministry. He is the man behind Christ Embassy, a church and mission group with offices in United Kingdom, USA, and South Africa.  Forbes estimates Pastor Chris’ net worth to be between $30-50 million.
5. Creflo Dollar $27 Million
His name screams money, and he does have a lot of it. Pastor Dollar is one of the prominent African-American pastors in the USA. His World Changers International commands a huge following with 30,000 followers stemming from the Atlanta region alone. His net worth is estimated at $27 million, but it could be more. He is known to be quite privy when it comes to his financial assets.
6. Billy Graham $25 Million
Graham is the longest serving Evangelical Pastor on our list with his ministry dating back to the 1940s. His spiritual allure has seen him become the advisor of several presidents including Lyndon Johnson.  The 95 year old pastor whose net worth stands at $25 million remains one of the most revered clerics of the 20th century. 
7. Rick Warren $25 Million
 Besides being the pastor of the eighth largest church in the USA( Saddleback Church), Rick  has also authored numerous Christian books which have sold millions of copies. While some of the pastors on our list live multi-million dollar lifestyles, Rick’s lifestyle is considerably down to earth.  He admittedly gives away 90% of his income and lives off 10%. He is worth $25 Million.  
 
8. T.D Jakes $18 Million
This Charismatic Bishop has managed to capture the hearts of many Christians. He is the founder and chief pastor of The Potter’s House which boasts of having 30,000 members. His net worth of $18 million largely stems from his ministry, but besides being a fiery Bishop, he is also an author and an actor.

9. Temitope Joshua $15 Million
Pastor Temitope has made a name for himself as one of the most charitable Nigerian Evangelists.  When he founded The Synagogue Church Of All Nations, he never imagined his net worth would one day sum up to $15 million. He only had a handful of followers for the first few months, but today more than 15,000 members turn up for his Sunday service.
10. Matthew Ashimolowo $6-10 Million
Matthew had been a Muslim until the age of 22 when he converted to Christianity after his father’s death. He attended Bible School and developed a keen interest in the religion. Today, he is the senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre. His net worth which is estimated at $6-10 million has been bolstered by documentaries from his media company and the sale of Christian literature.
 
WURA Reviews, Oct 14,’15
Stephen Loke has always been fascinated with the life story of rich and successful people. Read about Stephen's success story here.
 
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the faith community to can help correct the misrepresentations

10/6/2015

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I am writing in my new book of my introduction to stigma after being diagnosed with depression. Folk dealing with something as simple as situational depression can be met with stigma.
 
Stigma hurts! Unless you are a member of one of the less fortunate groups in our society you probably know very little about stigma. People of color, ex offenders, and the poverty-stricken know, all too well, the sting of stigma. U. S. News reported on another group that knows very well the pain caused by stigma, the mentally ill.
 
Do you live with mental illness? Do you have a family member or loved one living with mental illness? If you answer no to these two questions, then, you may have a faulty impression about those living with mental illness and mental illness itself. Most people learn what they know, think they know, I about the mental health challenges of others through media. And that is definitely a faulty source of information about a very serious human issue. Individuals living with mental illness need the most informed support from the community that is possible. Otherwise, their hope for being a fully contributing member of society is severely hampered. Let me share some information about the depiction of individuals living with mental health challenges as portrayed by the media. This depiction feeds the branding aspect of stigma toward the mentally ill.
 
Studies indicate that mass media is one of the public’s primary sources of information about illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and depression.  However, research also suggests that media portrayals of mental illness are negative or inaccurate.  According to Dr. Otto Wahl from Connecticut’s University of Hartford, recent studies show that media depictions of mental illness are outdated and harmful.  Here are a couple of the common, inaccurate and misleading media stereotypes:

People with mental illnesses are criminal or violent.  Studies show that individuals with mental illness are less likely to commit violent crimes and are actually more likely to be victimized. However, many news sources sensationalize incidents where innocent people are killed by a mentally ill individual.  According to Don Diefenbach, the chair of mass communications at University of North Carolina, Asheville, fictional media also portrays mental illness in skewed ways.  After he analyzed portrayals of psychological disorders on prime time television, he found that characters that had a mental illness were 10 to 20 times more likely to commit a violent crime than someone with a mental illness would be in real life.
 
People with mental illness look different than others.  Often TV shows or movies will depict the mentally ill as having disheveled hair, rumpled clothes, or wild eyes. This is stereotypical.  The fact is that many people with mental illness shower every day and go to work just like everyone else.  These portrayals often don’t convey that most people with serious mental illnesses are in pain and struggling.

It is well known that education of the public about mental illness is the best tool for stopping stigma. Sadly, the fact remains that there is little, to no, resources directed to engaging the public in any substantive learning experience how about mental illness and the millions living with this health challenge. Until this changes, we can expect more of the same treatment of the mentally ill by society. 

If nothing changes, then, nothing changes.
 
(research: U.S. News,  How Mental Illness is Misrepresented in the Media)
 
www.bringchange2mind.org

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I am one of the many "Dones" . . .

10/3/2015

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My spiritual life guides me in my everyday rounds. This is a fact. I have written in blogs and in my book, The Two Agreements, of the depth of my involvement in Christianity. My devotion to following the spiritual urgings I feel in my inner being are paramount to following a doctrinal text. In fact, the structural aspects of my religious life were a turn off, a hazard of the the trade at best. It was the business of the religion that got in the way of my spiritual life and service to others. So, in reading the research, I found “my story” in the case studies of these authors. 

The authors of Church Refugees, Packard and Hope, are sociologist. Also, they are devout Christians and are concerned about the Church. Social scientist agree that their research gives insight into the future of the church. 

Some facts from their findings:
*By the year 2050, 106 million people worldwide will leave Christianity.

*In the United States, Christians will drop from 75% to 66% of the population

*Even now, Church attendance and involvement rates are flat or declining across America

Most interesting, their research identifies a whole new population exiting the Church. They are refugees called the “Dones”. Dones are people done with church but not with God. They are not casual Christians or occasional attendees. They did not leave on a whim or after just one bad experience. They struggled over a prolonged period of time before deciding to leave. They are not angry, but they are not interested. They are mostly white, well educated, financially stable, and likely married. These individuals are the doers and financial supporters of the Christian religion. Their loss can not be easily replaced.

Years ago, I moved on to express my faith and to live a spiritual life of my own leanings. I think of myself as a spiritual but not religious person. And, most of all, I am happy with my relationship with the Divine.

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Freedom is ours

10/2/2015

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The good news story is about freedom. It is a freedom that is inherent, not a freedom that one man bestows upon the other by some magical ritual. A freedom individuals discover for themselves. Jim Morrison spells this out for us.

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    S.L. Brannon, B.A., M.Ed., D.Div. You can learn more about me on facebook and linkedin.

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