Introduction

The selected topic for this assignment involves law enforcers responding to people with mental health challenges. Over the years, mental health has proven to be a severe illness that has claimed the lives of many patients in the hands of police officers. These patients often present distinct challenges, especially when law enforcers are responding to crises involving them. Statistically, “there has been an increase in mental health-related cases and incidents that have brought into question the adequacy of officers’ training to respond to mental health crisis calls” (Abramson, 2021). Apparently, law enforcers’ response to such individuals has proven that there is inadequate training and proper equipment on the law enforcement side to effectively respond to such situations. Consequently, there have been numerous misunderstandings which have prompted serious consequences, including death. This topic focuses on the distinction between biblical and secular perspectives in crisis response to the aforementioned individuals, pointing out how these distinctions affect law enforcement response.

Biblical worldviews.

Biblical worldview refers to the view of the world based on God’s teachings found in the Bible.  Accordingly, “religious worldviews affirm the existence of a transcendent, divine, or spiritual dimension of reality and its importance for how we understand and live our lives” (Stenmark, 2021). Fundamentally, it means viewing things from a Christian perspective influenced by the tenets, principles, and values written in the bible. In this context, a biblical worldview involves responding to mental health patients based on the principles of comprehension, empathy, and godliness of human life as taught in the bible.

Secular Worldview

On the other hand, a secular worldview is a point of view that is not based on any religion or spiritual beliefs. Evidently, “secular worldviews deny the existence of a transcendent, divine, or spiritual dimension of reality and affirm that reality has a different makeup” (Stenmark, 2021). In most cases, this view involves viewing the world through the lens of rationale, human experience, and empirical evidence instead of divine revelation. In regards to the above topic, a secular worldview means responding to people with mental illness from a legal, scientific, and medical point of view.

Secular Literature vs. the Bible

In responding to people with mental health challenges, the secular literature often stresses medical intervention, legal procedures, and risk evaluation. The secular literature, in most cases, works towards ensuring public safety and that people with mental health get appropriate care (Abramson, 2021). Given its emphasis, this worldview fails to consider the spiritual and emotional needs of the person in crisis. On the contrary, the bible takes into consideration the essence of community support, forgiveness, and redemption in the middle of a mental health crisis. As indicated in the bible, “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, New International Version). Unlike the secular literature, the Bible teaches that all individuals are created in God’s likeness and, hence, should be treated with compassion and accorded the dignity, respect, and compassion they deserve. Clearly, the secular literature omits foundational beliefs and values that may offer the proper care and solace to people with mental health issues from a biblical worldview.

Impact on law enforcement

To a greater extent, this topic significantly impacts law enforcement’s response to crises. For instance, officers with a biblical point of view or understanding of both worldviews may approach a person with mental issues with more compassion and patience. Most importantly, such a person may incorporate alternative measures that are contrary to traditional police measures, like the use of lethal force. These may include de-escalation strategies, training, and working with a psychiatrist to ensure positive outcomes (Rohrer, 2021).

Conclusion

 To sum up, it is evident that people with mental illness are likely to die at the hands of law enforcers. However, it is evident that comprehending the variance in biblical and secular worldviews can help police officers produce positive outcomes in the midst of a mental health crisis. That is, by recognizing the dignity of all people irrespective of the mental challenges, law enforcers can handle a crisis with compassion, patience, and without any bias.