Crutch [noun]: 1. a long staff of wood or metal having a rest for the armpit, for supporting the weight of the body 2. something that supports or sustains: ‘a crutch to the economy’
It’s a common charge laid against God and those who follow Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is God’s Son): “They’re just a psychological crutch for weak, needy types.”
There are two implications here. The obvious one is strong, independent people don’t need a “crutch”. They can – and supposedly do – make it on their own.
However, it seems to me we all have psychological crutches – the need to be loved, for example, and the need for companionship. Neither of these do a thing to provide our daily physical needs – food, water and shelter. In most cases, neither of them even supply an income. Yet very few people have ever declared love and companionship to be useless wastes of time. Why not?
Frank Harber, writing in a popular spiritual magazine, goes a step further: “Atheism – the belief that there is no God – can become a crutch for those addicted to a lifestyle contrary to God’s standards of morality.”
Author and former pastor Bob Prall has connected with this thought, noting, “If Christianity is a psychological crutch, then Jesus Christ came because there was an epidemic of broken legs.”
Harber goes on to declare, “Everyone needs assistance. The question is, what will you lean on? [Jesus of Nazareth] provides what atheism or other religions never can: spiritual fulfillment, peace, and forgiveness.”
The second, subtle implication is there is no God to rely on, so believers are just tricking themselves through their weakness of believing. The most famous proponent of this view is still Sigmund Freud.
“For Freud, God is made in humanity’s own image, the ‘ultimate wish-fulfillment,’ the end product of human desire for a loving father,” wrote Amy Orr-Ewing in Pulse magazine.
Orr-Ewing then makes this point: “The argument about projection cuts both ways. After all, isn’t it equally possible to say that Freud and other atheists deny the existence of God out of a need to escape from a father figure, or to argue that the non-existence of God springs from a deep-seated desire for no father figure to exist?”
Leaving this important argument aside for a moment, I consider this “psychological crutch” question from a personal perspective. Before I became a Jesus follower, I:
- lived on my own, quite happily, for almost 20 years;
- had friendships and hobbies;
- enjoyed spending time with my parents and brothers;
- had romantic relationships; and
- developed a satisfying, award-winning journalism career.
Do I sound like a weak person in need of a psychological crutch? If the answer is no, then how do people making this charge explain folks like me? Weigh in with your answer below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
If you are not weak, if your life was perfect, then why did you need Christ?
Excellent question! I may not be “weak” in the eyes of our culture, but like all human beings, I am definitely weak in many ways. And, of course, no life is ever perfect and mine wasn’t, either.
However, to the average person, it probably looked like I had it all together. That’s the mask all of us put on – for some it hides a few things, for others that mask hides a LOT. Does that make sense? 🙂
I so glad you used the word mask! At one time I, too, looked like I had it all together. I wore a mask also. Today, I have a choice: each day I get to decide to wear a mask or pick up my cross and follow Christ.
Freewill, mask, crutch, or cross – people want to make a big deal out of it and give it big names and analyze it with psychological categories. What it is, is our freewill to sin or not; if we chose sin, there is a consequence that is to be paid. Jesus pays the penalty for sin through his death, all we have to do is ask [Him for forgiveness], but often we still must go through the consequences of our sin.
Frank, am I making a mess out of what I am trying to say? I have faith that you can fix this if it is a mess. I thank God for the Knowledge he has given you. My prayers are with you, Amen James
What is it about becoming a Christian “improved” your life? Is there now a checklist of what is allowed/not allowed you find comfort with? Do you know have a deeper meaning of sin or for that matter, love? Do you now live for Christ in lieu of living for yourself? And if so, how is this achieved?
At the end of the day I believe I try to do my best with what I have at that particular time. I knowingly and unknowingly make mistakes but is that sin? Does sin need to be held over one’s head like a knife?
Sorry for all the questions but I hear folks like you claim Christ changed your life and although I was raised a Christian I am now filled with more questions and don’t share your obvious love for Christ. In fact, I see Christianity as a finger wagging, follow my rules or go to hell type of lifestyle that traps rather than frees oneself.
And, thank you for blogging and encouraging thoughtful discussion.
Thanks for your excellent, thoughtful comment. Let’s see if I can adequately answer your questions:
1. Becoming a Jesus follower has improved my life by putting me in a more meaningful job and by making me part of a community that’s based on something so much more important than, say, wine tasting or extreme sports. It’s also made me a praying man, something our culture doesn’t value, but which I’ve found is very important. And it’s surprising how even people without a faith life appreciate being prayed for.
2. A “checklist of what’s allowed/not allowed”? I’ll combine that with your thoughts about seeing Jesus as “finger wagging, follow my rules or go to hell”. Your words on this connect with our culture’s view of Jesus as primarily a ‘religion’. Most serious Jesus followers, however, see our faith as a relationship. In fact, I wrote a Frank’s Cottage essay on this that I hope will fully respond to your thoughts. Here’s the link: https://frankscottage.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/wasting-time-with-religion/
3. Live for Christ? I certainly try to, but of course I often fall short. That’s where “grace” – undeserved merit, one of the most important and distinctive features of my faith – comes into play. Because of Jesus, I’m forgiven when I drop the ball and I know that God’s spirit is in me, working on me to bring me closer to what He knows I can be.
4. Filled with questions? Me, too! I have times where I hope and believe those questions will be answered when I’m finished with this life. At other, more important times, I realize that when this life is finished, those questions simply won’t matter anymore. And I find that very comforting.
I hope these answers make sense. Thanks again for reading and responding. I appreciate it. 🙂
I know when I let the Holy Spirit/Christ into my heart my life changed. He changed me from within. Eventually most of those sins I commited on a daily basis disapeared.
Don’t get me wrong; I am far from perfect, I do fall short. What I guess I am trying to say is that the things that I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to change about me, He easily changed without me even realizing it.
My life is amazing; yes there are everyday stresses and trials that come my way but I have faith and His strength to get me through.
Oh, you are a journalist, that’s why you’re so good at writing. Good to know that! And great message, btw!