What happens when the body of Christ forgets its own?
In this powerful episode of The Bad Roman Podcast, Claire Staples (The Clarity Podcast) and Sarah Perry (Voluntarism in Action) join host Craig Harguess for a conversation that exposes the gap between what churches preach—and how they treat the chronically ill. Drawing from their lived experiences within the LDS Church and broader Christian communities, they explore what it means to suffer in faith while being ignored by the very institutions meant to offer support.
Both women share how chronic illness is often not only misunderstood but actively stigmatized within religious settings. Instead of being met with compassion, those with long-term illnesses are often sidelined, silenced, or blamed for their own suffering. Their stories are a sobering look at how churches—particularly those entangled with state-aligned ideologies and cultural expectations—can lose sight of Christ’s command to care for "the least of these."
The Hidden Burden: When Suffering Meets Silence
Claire and Sarah’s experiences reveal a troubling pattern: while churches may rally around someone facing a temporary injury or illness, chronic conditions are another story.
Church leaders suggested their illnesses were spiritual failures—evidence of insufficient faith or unrepented sin.
Expectations to “perform” remained unchanged, even when health was failing.
Requests for help were met with cold bureaucracy or outright neglect.
As Sarah put it: “People hear the word ‘disease’ and they lose it.” The fear of illness—and the discomfort it brings—often leads communities to withdraw rather than draw near.
These moments beg a difficult but necessary question: Are we building churches that reflect Christ, or churches that maintain appearances?
A Return to the Gospel’s Core
Rather than offering cynicism, this episode calls for renewal. Claire and Sarah ground their critiques not in bitterness, but in Scripture. They point to the life of Jesus and the stories that define what it truly means to follow Him:
The Good Samaritan reminds us that love is inconvenient—and that holiness is shown in how we treat those others ignore.
Jesus’ healing of lepers challenges the impulse to keep our hands clean when our neighbors are in pain.
The story of Job warns against the human tendency to explain away suffering with judgment.
These biblical examples offer more than comfort—they offer a roadmap back to the kind of faith that moves toward people, not systems. As Claire noted, “We need to bring it back to basics, back to home and family. Then we would all know Jesus better.”
What the Church Can Do Better
The conversation also offers tangible steps for churches and individuals who want to support chronically ill members with more integrity and compassion:
Educate congregations on the realities of chronic illness.
Offer support that doesn’t hinge on a person’s ability to serve or attend.
Resist the temptation to “fix” suffering with theology—start by listening.
Build inclusive spaces that reflect the full diversity of the body of Christ.
Claire and Sarah challenge the tendency to outsource care—whether to medical institutions or church programs—and remind us that the call of Christ is personal. The Gospel is not a system; it is a way of being with one another.
Faith in the Midst of Pain
Perhaps the most transformative thread in this episode is the reimagining of suffering itself—not as a sign of divine punishment, but as a crucible that can deepen intimacy with Christ. Both guests reject the prosperity gospel’s promise of health as a sign of favor, and instead point to the promise of God’s presence through the valley.
Suffering doesn’t disqualify us from God's love—it draws us deeper into it.
As Claire shared, “I don’t think I would have fully understood what Jesus did for me on the cross if I hadn’t suffered horrendously at no fault of my own.”
This conversation is a challenge—and an invitation. A call to rethink what it means to be the Church. A reminder that faith is not proven by perfection, but by how we love one another through imperfection, weakness, and pain.
Connect With Our Guests:
Claire Staples – The Clarity Podcast
Claire shares faith-centered conversations on recovering from high-demand religion, chronic illness, and returning to Christ-centered living.
Podcast: The Clarity Podcast on Spotify
Instagram: @theclarity.podcast
YouTube Channel: The Clarity Podcast on YouTube
Website + Nonprofit: ChronicallyBeautifulLife.com
Learn more about the Chronically Care Project and donate or contribute to care packages for the chronically ill.
Sarah Perry – Voluntarism in Action
Sarah volunteers with VIA, a liberty-rooted nonprofit providing direct aid and resources to communities in need—without state involvement.
Organization Website: viaction.org
Instagram: @voluntarism_in_action
Support ongoing humanitarian campaigns (e.g. Gaza relief, Congo gardens, US seed kits)
Sign up to receive free spring gardening kits (US-only) to promote food sovereignty
Blog: VIA’s website also features resources on mutual aid, self-sufficiency, and disaster relief.
Episode Timestamps:
(0:02) Introduction to the Bad Roman Podcast
Guests Claire Staples and Sarah Perry join to discuss chronic illness and the church
Previous Episode with Claire: From Mormon LDS to Freedom in Christ: Unveiling Lies in Medicine, Government, and Religion
Previous Episode with Sarah: Christian Ethics and Stateless Societies: The Anarchist Approach of the Perry Family
(0:22) Exploring Christian Responsibility in Healthcare
Discussion on whether Christians are doing enough for the sick
Questioning the comfort with government management of healthcare for Christians
(0:45) Claire and Sarah's Background with Chronic Illness
Both guests share experiences with chronic illness in the LDS (Mormon) Church
Instances of being shunned or misunderstood due to their health conditions
(2:11) Claire's Nonprofit Work
Introduction to the Chronically Care Project, supporting those with chronic illnesses
Insights gained from working with chronically ill individuals globally
(4:30) Sarah's Experience with Chronic Illness and Church
Growing up with vague symptoms in an abusive family
Expectations and disappointments within the Mormon Church community
(7:41) Church Leadership Response to Illness
Sarah's experience of being shunned by church leaders for being sick
Discussion on the importance of temple recommends in Mormon culture
(12:07) Comparing Church Experiences to Cult Documentaries
Craig draws parallels between the guests' experiences and cult-like behaviors
Reflection on the control and hierarchy within religious organizations
(17:21) Cultural Influences on Church Attitudes Towards Illness
How state and government attitudes infiltrate church culture regarding chronic illness
Examples of church leaders' responses to requests for help and understanding
(25:48) The Role of Medical System in Church Attitudes
Discussion on the church's reliance on mainstream medical systems
Critique of outsourcing care to doctors instead of providing community support
(30:28) LDS Church's Relationship with Government and Healthcare
Exploration of the church's investments in medical and pharmaceutical industries
Comparison of church tithing to government taxation
(36:06) Scriptural Solutions for Caring for the Sick
Analysis of the Good Samaritan parable and its relevance to chronic illness care
Discussion on Jesus' treatment of lepers and its modern application
(49:33) The Book of Job and Suffering
Interpretation of Job's story in relation to chronic illness and faith
Exploration of spiritual warfare and demonic influences on attitudes towards suffering
(1:03:38) Why Bad Things Happen to Good People
Discussion on God's role in suffering and the nature of a fallen world
Personal story from Craig about his niece's cancer diagnosis
(1:12:26) God's Love and Community Support
Reflection on God's nature as love and the importance of community in times of suffering
Craig shares positive experiences of support for his niece
(1:15:11) Closing Thoughts and Resource Sharing
Claire and Sarah share information about their projects and podcasts
Encouragement for listeners to engage with resources for supporting the chronically ill
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