| Those who’ve followed A Brief History of Power will remember that the subject of mental illness and homelessness was discussed in recent episodes by Rev. Fisk and Dr. Koontz. A thought-provoking article from City Journal explores the same subject, suggesting that the abolishing of mental hospitals did not put an end to psychiatrically disturbed people, but rather created an “invisible asylum” in the community. Writer Christopher Rufo says the invisible asylum is “composed of three primary institutions: the street, the jail, and the emergency room. In slaying the old monster of the state asylums, we created a new monster in its shadow: one that maintains the appearance of freedom but condemns a large population of the mentally ill to a life of misery.” While he does not advocate for a return to asylums, he says we need to find a way to provide “safety, rest, morality, and health” for those who need it. We who have been rescued from our corrupted nature and placed in God’s family can see why this is important. Pray for those who are working with the homeless and mentally ill, that they will tell of the rest that comes only from the God of all comfort. |
