Most disturbing news story of the day....

[Kristie]

I'd say it's taking things just a *bit* too far....

HAYDEN, Idaho (AP) -- A man who believed he bore the biblical "mark of the beast" used a circular saw to cut off one hand, then he cooked it in the microwave and called 911, authorities said.

The man, in his mid-20s, was calm when Kootenai County sheriff's deputies arrived Saturday. He was in protective custody in the mental health unit of Kootenai Medical Center.

"It had been somewhat cooked by the time the deputy arrived," sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger said. "He put a tourniquet on his arm before, so he didn't bleed to death. That kind of mental illness is just sad."

It was not immediately clear whether the man has a history of mental illness. Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Johnson would not say whether an attempt was made to reattach the hand, citing patient confidentiality.

The Book of Revelation in the New Testament contains a passage in which an angel is quoted as saying: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink the wine of God's fury."

The book of Matthew also contains the passage: "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for you whole body to do into hell."

[spotty4]

Wow! I'm sure I'll get "shamed" for saying this, but literally interpreting the bible will get you in trouble!! The bible (or any religious doctrine) is best utilized as a guide.

[av8rwyf]

The onset of Schizophrenia is usually in the early to mid 20's although it can be diagnosed earlier or later. Wow! This poor guy! Oof!! He's really starting off his years of therapy w/ a bang! (sorry...I worked mental health before I became a stay at home mom...there had to be some element of sick humor or you'd make yourself a little whacky)

[the_woman_99]

I can't believe that. Reading it made me kind of sick. I can't believe someone would do that no matter how religious you are. Oh well people are crazy I guess

[SeatClutcher]

It would be devastating to be diagnosed with schizophrenia - or any serious mental illness. I think I'd rather lose a hand than be uncontrollably mentally ill. If your mind is gone, YOU are gone.

It's sad.

[Kristie]

The good thing is that they've come a long way with medications and therapy that you could essentially "live with it"...

ok, now i can't determine if this is the most disturbing story or if the guy who threw his 4 kids off a bridge is....

btw... what IS that in your avatar? pancakes??

[Regina]

There has been a lot, and i mean A LOT, of distubing news articles lately. The man that threw his children off the bridge, the 60 year old that decapitated the climber, or the boyfriend that killed his girlfriend and began to cook her body parts.

What i think is very sad is the fact that religion or lack of religion is brought up in any of these cases when despite the extremist views by these people, it is clearly the mental illness that cause these people to do such devastating harm to their self or others. The media loves to throw around these cases because it makes us go, "Now, that is why i don't believe in religion because of crazy people like this taking religion to an extreme." Or even the religious people thinking that it is evil forces taking over. I can understand the fact that this person with the obvious mental illness said why he did it was religion, but a crazy person could also just as easily read the constitution and said the u.s. made him do it. I guess that's why those people are considered crazy.
Just my opinion, but i believe taking anything (religion, politics, eating, partying, drinking, etc.) to an extreme is just dangerous.

[ccbegay]

Originally Posted by Kristie

btw... what IS that in your avatar? pancakes??

I was going to say the same thing! hahaha...it's great...

But back to the point, that story is horrific...there are a lot of sayings in the bible that yes, are not meant to be taken literally...but it will make, hopefully the public aware of the severity of mental illnesses....

[CLErocks]

That man and the guy that threw his kids off the bridge have some serious demons. Gees!

[powellgal]

I heard about the man throwing his 4 kids off the bridge and a few of the other stories but not about cooking any body parts... Makes me sad to think there are actually illnesses in this world that can take over our minds like that...