Rick and Kay Warren’s son committed suicide in 2013; his lifetime battle with mental illness prompted the pastors to plan the conference for the public.
From what I understand - their son Matthew lived on his own. Yes, a 20-something year old young man, who(supposedly) was suffering from a "mental illness", was LIVING ON HIS OWN!
Pt being that if anyone is living on his own - this proves that he(or she) is independent and able to take care of themselves. You have no idea how many mentally ill homeless people I've seen - as a matter of fact saw one standing in front of a grocery store yesterday just brushing his teeth and talking to himself. But on the contrary, it wasn't like Warren's son was wandering the streets 24/7(otherwise it would have been all over the rag mags prior to his death).
"The day he [Matthew] died was the absolute worst day of our lives, and many people have asked us how we got through those darkest days of our despair, our grief and our sorrow, and the answer is Jesus Christ," Rick Warren said.
And Warren has said this over, and over, and over again for over a year now(ie-how they went through the worst time of their lives).
I have news for you Rick - I've read stories of parents with autism children - they make MANY sacrifices for their children. They DON'T have a social life(as they're always keeping their lives private from others to be overprotective of their children). They spend hours researching the best foods and vitamins. And most importantly, they NEVER complain, NEVER.
But what did you do, Rick? You just threw your son to many, many psychiatrists(who stuffed him with Big Pharma meds) - while you and your wife flew around the world hanging out with a bunch of reprobates.(and wrote many leavened books)
“It was our faith in him, our family, our church, our small group, our friends. You see, we weren't made to go through the worst times of life on our own, and if you're in pain right now, any kind of emotional or mental pain, you need other people in your life – you need the Church."
No, NO - the body of Christ is supposed to be studying and sharing scripture together, Rick.
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. And tell that to Apostle Paul...
2Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Kay Warren said, "We want to create awareness of the struggle that 450 million people around the world experience as they live with a mental illness and dispel the stigma so that they can get the help that they need.”
You know - even these Hellywood celebs like Paul Newman, Sylvester Stallone, and Carroll O'Conner were quiet, humble, and kept a low profile when their children died tragic deaths. No, I'm not defending them(as they are/were lost people) - but again, just stating the obvious.
With that being said - the Warrens should have done something when their son was still alive. Where were they months before he was in dire desperation?