I tend to agree with Amos about the unilateral conditioning of many religious organizations which include branches of Christiantiy, Hinduism, Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, etc. Not all religious observance need to be dissed out of hand, though.
But my mantra is keep the Separation Between Church and State high.

On the issue of anti-depressants, there is a case to be made for both sides of this issue.

1. In some instances, anti-depressants are helpful to some lives.

At the same time, many psychaitrists have become too eager today to give out narcotics because it's easier than dealing with behavioral solutions.

2. Brooke has a point that in some cases, behavioral adjustment is not possible. The pills help.

Tom has a point that it's too easy to rely on pills and excercise does help those who are suffering from depression and are able to do so.

3. This Brooke/Tom issue sounds a little like WMD, weapons of mass distraction when there are more important aspects with which to deal like getting out of Iraq.

At the same time, depression is one of the number one causes of suicide and it can't be minimalized as a disease. It's serious.

My conclusion is that it's important to see the medical abuse of pills and weigh that against the ability of people to follow a behavioral program that would free them from drugs.

So, Scientology aside ( or whatever brand of cult is being sold)
both Brooke and Tom are correct.

Frank Hamilton