A pastor ignited criticism and sparked online debate over his dismissal of mental health issues that affect millions.

Pastor and author John MacArthur delivered a jaw-dropping take on the existence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, and PTSD as he called them “noble lies” during a Q&A panel at the For the Valley Bible Conference last month.

“There’s no such thing as PTSD. There’s no such thing as OCD. There’s no such thing as ADHD,” the pastor at California’s Grace Community Church said in the video posted online.

He expressed that the diagnoses provide “an excuse”  to medicate people and that “Big Pharma is in charge of a lot of that.”

“There’s no such thing as PTSD. There’s no such thing as OCD. There’s no such thing as ADHD.”
— John MacArthur pic.twitter.com/PzZTijKl5x

— Dean Defuria (@_DeanAnthony) May 1, 2024

PTSD, MacArthur explained, is really just grief manifesting as he made his case. He also spoke of certain medications being “the most deadly thing unleashed on children.”

The full video can be seen below for context:

Social media users ripped into the pastor for his take on mental issues.

It’s always amazing when people who have never experienced something tell you “exactly” what that’s like, and get it wrong every time.

This person isn’t a serious person on these issues, and you can tell that even simply on his getting the symptoms of PTSD wrong so obviously.

— Ran Harpaz (@RanHarpaz) May 1, 2024

I served with Marines who screamed in their sleep years after seeing their friends burn to death in combat.

I’m not a fan of overmedicating anyone, if MacArthur doesn’t know what PTSD is.

— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) May 1, 2024

It’s honestly disappointing. I respect the guy’s faith and service (and I share his concerns about big pharma!), but this ain’t it.

— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) May 1, 2024

I love my brother John MacArthur… but his conclusions here are stunningly unwise, misinformed and lacking biblical footing.

I’m very surprised this is John’s diagnosis esp regarding PTSD.

— PastorSteveCamp (@PastorSJCamp) May 1, 2024

Seriously. Has he never talked to veterans who served in war zones!?

— Open Mike ️ (@mikeCAburritos) May 1, 2024

Thanks for the slap in the face for every veteran, law enforcement and fire personnel, dealing with the life long effects of PTSD. There is the body, mind and soul. Know your area of training, knowledge and expertise. I’ve had five years of therapy and professional assistance.…

— Sharon Kroger (@sjkroger) May 1, 2024

However, some social media responses defended the pastor or attempted to clarify his comments.

Watch the entire video. He is rejecting psychological diagnoses not the symptoms they describe.

— Bible Sword (@Bible_Sw0rd) May 1, 2024

Listen to what he said. He did not say it isn’t real. He saidf it’s just grief, and that clinically categorizing is a ploy to sell drugs, not to treat the real underlying issue. I agree with him on that.

— Esteban (@aboutesteban) May 1, 2024

That wasn’t his point . He is arguing against drugging people into oblivion. Especially for something that compassion and basic humanity can cure, avoid or maneuver the disasters that come.

— Linda (@Dinha_117) May 1, 2024

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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