Interesting few days this past week. My neighbor is going through a tough time in his life. Wife of 1.5 years moved out after some serious lifestyle issues. He's devastated. I've become a "father figure" to him over the last three years. He is very religious. Non-denominational Christian church.
Also, very public figure in stressful city job. I've acted as his confidante but he's really troubled... to the point of mentioning suicide. And, his job requires him to carry a sidearm. Bad combination! I've asked him to leave his weapon at my house at night and pick it up in the morning. Morning is a great time for a sanity check over a cup of coffee. Evening is excellent for a progress check on how he's working throught this mentally.
So! Getting beyond my meager capabilites as a therapist/friend..... I did some "facebook research" and found his church and pastor. I called him and explained what was going on. No names provided by me to him. He gave me some good resources provided by his church for individual as well as group therapy. ( Qualified psychologists & psychotherapists )......
I've guided my neighbor towards these resources and he's attending both individual and group events.
The amusing (to me) part of this was talking to a Pastor. Here I am, a non-believer, seeking help from a "holy man"... 
I'm surprised I didn't burst into flames at all the
"God bless you" & "I'll pray for you" moments in our conversations.
I attribute this to my Druid-Elder, polar fleece bathrobe supplied by Linda. It has powers.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.By no means meaning to sound dismissive, etc, etc, here BUT I have to say it due to my Aussie sense of humour, " Help me Obi Wan Kanobi, you are my ONLY hope" LOL.
Triphid
Level 9
Jan 9, 2021
2
Yeah....
But it's a GREAT winter bathrobe. The neighbors are getting used to me walking out to the mailbox in crocs & robe..... 
@bigpawbullets And "May the Force be with you" and the breezes always gentle and blow from behind you....LOL
@Triphid
Thanks.
That breeze thing. Very unsettling when the temp is 28°F.
@bigpawbullets Even worse when it's at sub-zero levels.
def the bathrobe imo
referring someone to a believer psych tho, hmm
bbyrd009
Level 7
Jan 9, 2021
1
@bigpawbullets well, my arg there would be that he came to you right
@bbyrd009
Correct.
@bigpawbullets but hey, i would have been reticent to take on that much responsibility myself, tbh. imo your friend needs some shrooms bad, dunno your pos there tho.
ps, you are a god 
@bigpawbullets pps, if you find any shrooms, could you send me some?
You’re a good human being! Wish there were more like you in the world!
Redheadedgammy
Level 9
Jan 9, 2021
3
Thanks "Red"..... 
For all those commenting on my stylish footwear:
8+ years ago when I retired from "The World of Work", I symbolically rid myself of the vast majority of my "adult clothes". This included all but one pair of "emergency" shoes. Now, my feet are donned in hiking boots, Crocs, or swim fins...... or they go "au-natural".
My feet are much happier now!!!
bigpawbullets
Level 9
Jan 9, 2021
3
Glad to hear you have reached out to him & for him. I am in a similar situation (but a high school acquaintance who lives several hours away), you have given me a couple of avenues to try.
Heidi68
Level 8
Jan 9, 2021
4
If while talking with a "Holy Man" and you start to smolder, or smell brimstone, don your protective Agnostic bathrobe. 
Seriously though Heidi; I salute your efforts. The geographical element must add to the difficulty of this exponentially.
@bigpawbullets I have reached out to a couple of HS friends (1 is in the same town) so we are tag teaming our friend in hopes of persuading her to get some help.
It's good you are helping the neighbor like that. And nothing "wrong" with talking to a preacher. Just because they are religiously minded doesn't mean they can't have good/useful answers on other topics.
Just you might want to make sure you have a secure container for the firearm. It can put both of you in legal jeopardy if something were to happen to it. More him than you, but still, do you want to face those questions?
PadraicM
Level 7
Jan 9, 2021
3
Good point.
I've a gun safe.
Definitely channelling the venerable Jedi look there!....but seriously, you are acting in the best interests of your neighbour and doing what all of us should do when we see friends and neighbours go through such trauma. I lost my son to suicide 2 years ago this month, so I particularly commend you for the extra efforts you are taking to try to prevent another such tragedy. Your practical help may be saving his life, and I’m pleased to hear that his pastor has directed him towards professional help and that indeed they have such a service available.
It is more human kindness, concern and neighbourliness, that this world needs and less division and indifference to other’s suffering. His beliefs, and your lack of them, are completely immaterial.
Marionville
Level 10
Jan 9, 2021
5
One if the things I've found most puzzling on Agnostic.com is the intolerance of many here for those folks with strong religious beliefs. A great many of my friends are staunch Christians of one flavor or another. Yet, we all get along.
@bigpawbullets Yes...all of my friends believe in god in varying degrees....some agree almost entirely with me and are probably really quite agnostic, but habit and family tradition keep them church going. Others do really believe deeply in the power of prayer and the scriptures. It makes no difference at all to my relationship with them...I love all my friends and I presume it’s reciprocated. I have never hidden from anyone the fact that I am a lifelong sceptic and disbeliever, and yet it’s a topic that has not caused any difficulties making or keeping friendships, in fact it has been completely irrelevant.
@Marionville
Exactly my experience here Marion.
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Are the crocs comfy? My sister denounced them when they first came out. I prefer the hotel give away cloth ones. I have never worn the crocs.
My father testified that hand made wooden clogs were the most comfortable footware that he ever encountered.
Keep asking the "are you ok" and try and get the neighbour to realise if she didn't have heaven between her legs and create heaven between his ears then he is better off with a pay as you go tart from the local brothel.
FrayedBear
Level 9
Jan 9, 2021
1
You're a MADMAN! I like that.
@bigpawbullets what leads you to that conclusion?
- The fact that you responded with this query.
- Your disregard for the local laws here.
NOTE: 1 & 2 indicate a sociopath. I like that too.
@bigpawbullets 1. I am not questioning in this instance.
2. Not being subject to your local laws I do not have to disregard them just highlight their Cipollan stupidity.
@FrayedBear
I never said I agreed with the laws concerning prostitution in Ohio. But it is the law.
@bigpawbullets 
you mean that it is illegal to talk about or advocate prostitution?
@FrayedBear
Well, it will get you a frown at the least.
But no sir.... freedom of speech and all that.
I own those exact same shoes, they stay by the door for running to the mailbox in any weather!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Jan 8, 2021
3
I've always expected that we're from the same tribe Anne. Your self-identifying as a "Blue Meanie" as opposed to me as a "Red Devil" doesn't change my admiration for you.
I'm looking for the Light Saber, Obi-Wan.
David1955
Level 8
Jan 8, 2021
6
I was thinking Sith Lord until I saw the crocs.
@Surfpirate Crocs add to the Sith thing, I think. Jedi always seemed to have boots on.
@PadraicM good point, nothing says diabolical like a pair of crocs. lol
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