Perhaps Catholic folk with mental health issues shouldn’t be allowed to blog
This is part of a comment received on another’s blog in relation to me:
The tone of the echurch blog has changed of late, losing its gentle humour and its even temper. Stuart has often blogged about his mental health. I cannot help but wonder whether continued blogging is helpful to his well-being.
I received a similar comment from the same person quite some time ago when I made the decision to censor her comments on this blog. All of this appeared to coincide with my decision to convert to Catholicism.
It’s fair to say that as I began to absorb Catholic teaching, some of my views shifted from a liberal position to an orthodox one. This upset many.
I think the tactic, to undermine a persons credibility as blogger, due to a disability, and to do so on somebody else’s blog, is despicable.
I have blogged in the cause of mental illness and have done so through being open with my own struggles, and will continue to do.
I will not be cowed into silence and remove myself from interweb discourse by smears of this nature.
I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 
February 8th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I have always found this blog to be compasionate and thoughtful, which I am grateful for. I am an atheist to all intents and purposes, but the way this blog explores faith keeps me reading – and I think I have been reading for a long time now. I think the internet and blogging itself, as a way of venting steam, escaping, or exploring your thoughts is absolutely a good thing. The idea that someone with a mental illness should be denied this if they talk about it is odd- and the idea that that this the defining feature of this blog is also odd. I have seen blogs wheree people explore, in extensive manner their personal issues, and while i would not choose to read those blogs, I hope they bring comfort to the authors at the very least.
February 8th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I also believe a blog to be a personal place, and not a place to turn up to, to insult the owner. If you don’t want to read then don’t.
February 8th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Keep going Stuart. Remarks such as those are beyond contempt.
And, anyway, if they were true, half the Catholic blogosphere would be out of business!
February 8th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
This is an excellent blog, and I find it a constant encouragement to see a fellow Christian blogger with the same passion to demystify mental health issues.
If I was genuinely concerned about another bloggers wellbeing, I would contact them directly.
By the way, I know that sometimes blogging isn’t good for my mental wellbeing, but that’s usually connected to the times when other people have a go at me, and I then lose sleep over whether I’ve upset them.
February 8th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
No need for a guilt trip on this one Stuart. If Mr Legality cannot shut you up, then others will try different tactics. As an Anglican, I have always found your comments gentle and perceptive.
Thank you and keep on going!
Blessings
Terry
February 8th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Yeah, just ignore and carry on. Few bloggers have perfect mental health, anyway–or else we wouldn’t be blogging! We are all masochistic at best:-)
February 8th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Being honest can make us vulnerable to attack.
The evil one thinks that he can use our weaknesses (and we all have them) against us – but as St Paul also said, “when I am weak, then I am strong.”
You have proved a) how courageous a Christian can be, b) how people with disabilities (mental and / or physical) can make wonderful and important contributions to society and the Church and, c) how powerful blogging can be.
Keep up the good work, and rejoice – as I often do in mine – in that Cross which has brought you closer to Christ and provided you with experiences that lead to a greater compassion and wisdom on your part.
Thank God for your struggles with mental health. Thank God for your wisdom and love.
February 9th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
It’s unfortunate that someone would suggest limiting one’s freedom of speech.
To me, the solution is rather simple: If you don’t like what’s being said, or you don’t like the person saying it, or all of the above, then just stop reading – unless you’re the internet police that is.
Thank God for Jesus!