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Dear Pastor,

I am in my 30s and I have a child for a man. I am not working. I cannot manage to work. I used to work in one of the Caribbean islands, but I gave up the job because I missed my son.

I became ill. I hear voices sometimes, and the doctor told me I need treatment. I was invited to a church, and when I attended they had an alter call and I went forward. They told me I was suffering from possession by an evil spirit. Somebody had put an evil spirit on me.

One of the sisters told me that they have fasting at a particular day, and they would try to throw the evil spirit out of me. I went back to the church that day and some people were there in a circle and were talking about what they are going through. They put their hands on me, but after I left the meeting, I started hearing voices again.

I am now seeing a psychiatrist. I am back in Jamaica. This psychiatrist told me that I should take certain tablets and try and rest. That is what I am doing. These so-called religious people are only out to get people's money; some of them are fake.

What do you say?

M.R.

Dear M.R.,

I am not here to condemn anybody. Anyone who is not feeling well can pray, but he or she must also seek medical attention. When a person is hearing voices, he or she should try and see a doctor as early as possible.

I am glad that you are now seeing a psychiatrist, and I hope that very soon you will be well again.

Pastor