.... or one of the other gods?

and per the example above.... how do we know that the patient would not have a "remarkable attitude" even if she didn't have a strong faith?

She may well have had a "remarkable attitude" without strong faith, but there is no way to know that.

Since her strong faith does not appear to cause any harm and may be the reason for her positive attitude, I can only be happy for her.

without her religious faith. You really have no way of knowing either way.

.... and you are happy for her.

I am happy that she has the kind of strength that may help her survive her leukemia.

How do you feel about her?

Which, when you praise faith as being the reason she had the strength to fight it, is a very sticky question indeed. I can understand why you want to try and push this back on AlbertCat.

the theory that what one should do when facing a life threatening illness is to always have a positive attitude and always, or at least while anyone is looking, appear like "a tranquil island, still and serene".

This crap puts the burden on the person who is ill to never show how upset, fearful, distraught, depressed, angry, and untranquil they actually are, because you know, that would screw their chances. So while they are lying on the bathroom floor in a cold sweat after a robust episode of chemo-vomiting, the important thing is that if anyone walks in, look calm, serene, like a tranquil fucking island.

Fuck.
That.
Shit.

Sick people have no lobby, so they get used as props by everyone, but never get actual support. I mean some do, but too many are just kicked to the curb cause they have no money. All our drug laws heavily affect the terminally ill as a side effect of the war on drugs... whoops, wrong thread!

Gruesome suicide or suffering to the end as well.

If you removed the Catholics from the equation, it would go from being legal in 3/50 states, to 50/50 states in a single election.

It comes with the whole experience. Along with the physical and emotional roller coaster that's also a part of it all.
Not sure why. I find it a benefit though, a coping mechanism. To dismiss it as "Fuck. That. Shit." is a shitty slam on those with life threatening illnesses, imo.

Maybe you haven't been there so a suggestion. Don't presume to judge those who have. Or if you have, you know better than that crass comment. Take care and stay well.

Last edited Sat Jul 11, 2015, 12:30 PM - Edit history (1)

what I'm talking about. And the slam, obviously, was on idiots like the subject of the op, this wonderful God-smacked doctor who propagates the bullshit that the seriously ill should be serene and tranquil.

Pretty much everyone has 'been there' with friends or family. You don't belong to some unique special snowflake club of humanity.

http://m.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night

if someone wants to put on a good face.

What's bullshit is when it's expected of them at all times, by other people who aren't in their shoes. Praise is heaped upon those who appear appear to be "a tranquil island, still and serene" and expressions of fear, anger, depression, etc are discouraged as being too negative. It's bullshit when people think they have to put on a good face because they're feeling pressured to do so - for their own good, of course.

I'm with Warren.

Fuck.
That.
Shit.

through my cancer treatment.

going through a life threatening illness. It if it faith, more power to them. If it is something else, more power to them too.

Hope you are doing well, 840high.

and god the son just dick around with each other sometimes...good god/bad god style.

Like Eddie Izzard said:

HG: "Wooooo holy ghost.....holy ghoooooost"

GOD: "Holy Ghost, this is not an episode of Scooby Doo!"

There's no such thing as ghosts!

Like in the cases of deeply religious mothers who end up killing their children. They are taught to just have faith, to pray, and that all will be better. They can end up blaming themselves for not being righteous enough when things don't improve. I understand the OP wants everyone to get in line and smile and clap at how wonderful religion can be, but she also needs to recognize when religion actively makes things worse. Acknowledging all facets can be difficult and even painful for some, I guess.

Like when your doctor sees god..... anywhere! YIKES!

My belief is that if a person believes in a god for what ever reason ---- that is an okay thing
What pisses me off is when someone tries to push their beliefs on others ---- that is not okay

If your god brings you comfort than go for it

Pushing beliefs or lack of beliefs or hostility towards others because they see things differently than you do are things I don't think are ok.

As long as it harms no one else, I think people are entitled to find comfort wherever they can.

There is the key phrase, one which is often spoken here, but when it is pointed out that beliefs are constantly hurting others, you don't follow through.

SO serene, SO tranquil, SO strong, etc.

No kidding, and? What of people not 'active in their church'? Antithesis of those things? And her, would she not be so strong and placid without? Are these characteristics somehow intrinsic to religion?

I have no idea what you were trying to say in your reply to me

It's because the concept in the op is vicious and inhumane to the sick/dying, and a slap in the face not only to atheists, but even to agnostics and members of religions that lack a personal deity.

Some of us handle death pretty 'well' by the ops standards, without needing strength from supernatural opinions. Some people don't, and I don't judge them for it.

And she is surrounded by people that love her.

Thanks for posting this.