Who do religious people use medicine?

[NaturaLCalamity]

I was watching an episode of Nip & Tuck and here's what happened. This lady's daughter was severely burned. She was in need of immediate care and so the ambulance took her to the hospital. Her mother came to the hospital soon after and told the doctors not to use any medication because she said God would cure her. The doctors told her that if she doesn't accept any medication for her daughter, the burns would cause even more severe damages to her skin and possibly organs, leading to death. The mother was extremely upset, and just left.

I know this is just a t.v. show, but I was thinking, there has to be some people in the world who are like this. They believe that God is going to help and honestly, I feel sad for them. I mean, if you watch the news at all, 70% of the time they are talking about some tragedy that has happened, meaning God can't help everyone. So my question is, why do religious people use medicine, Tylenol or Advil for headaches would count also, if they can just pray for it to be cured. If they do end up taking prescriptions, I could only say that they would have to believe that this medicine, as of the time they are feeling ill, would cure them instead of God. They would rather risk the chance of letting a pill heal them rather than God himself, no matter how strongly he/she may believe in him. I just don't get it.

[Will]

There are a lot of issues that require more than a broad brush stroke. One of them is medicine for religious people. Some religious people are, basically, completely insane, believing that somehow god can solve all of their problems like a big Abrahamic genie (or genies, if you mean the trinity). They're the especially stupid people of the world. That said, most Christians, most Muslims, most Jews, most everything else believe in medicine at least to the extent where they would help a loved one in need. This isn't to say that their beliefs about medicine are all modern and rational, as many believe that life can somehow begin before even implantation and that any prevention of cell division is murder, but on the whole a burn victim or someone in need of a transfusion would probably be okay with ceiling cat.

[NaturaLCalamity]

Some religious people are, basically, completely insane, believing that somehow god can solve all of their problems like a big Abrahamic genie (or genies, if you mean the trinity). They're the especially stupid people of the world.

I remember one time at work, my co-workers and I were chatting about God and I asked them, "if one of your friends or relatives was seriously injured, say a heart attack, what's the first thing you do? Call 911 or pray?" They said, without any hesitation, pray. I seriously went

[SSY]

People rationalise their reliance on medical science by saying

"No, you don't understaaaaaand, it's all part of gods plan, he wanted me to be healed, so he worked thooouuugh a doctor to heal me"

It's convenient how that would be indistguishable from just getting healed by a doctor while god is sitting on his ass doing nothing. The stretched words are because they speak slowly, as if you were some sort of idiot for lacking their supreme cognitive dissonance. They also ignore the fact that attributing the healing to god, also means the sickness was his fault, therefore making the whole exercise a little pointless.

Praying for people is an easy way to feel like your helping, and have the smug sense of satisfaction that goes along with that, without actually expending any time/effort towards helping others. You may notice that when shit gets done, people tend to be there, doing it, instead of sitting at home praying for it to get done.

[Enoch Root]

In their defence, there is no indication in the bible that believers should decline medical treatment.  In fact Paul gives Timothy some health advice (tells him to take a little wine for his stomach problems).  I realize that some of the more fringe groups have some bizarre beliefs about medical treatment but there's a reason why those are fringe groups.  I think anyone here would have a very hard time constructing a biblical argument to convince a Christian not to see a doctor or take medicine.  Christians really are not acting contrary to their bible if they seek medical treatment.

But I do think the part about crediting God for healing is kind of silly.  One cancer victim prays for healing and recovers, and then praises God for it.  Three more pray for healing and end up dying.  Was there really a miracle performed?  I once read a study (and it really did impact my eventual decision to abandon Christianity) that said people who pray for healing from cancer statistically have absolutely no better odds at recovery than people who don't.

[SSY]

What about:

If god wanted you to be well, he would not have given you cancer, ergo, by seeking treatment, you are using your "free will" to reject the lords plans and you will be damned for all eternity.

The whole free will thing is a nice touch IMHO, because it goes someway to negating the whole "god wanted me to be sick so he could heal me" crap that would come about.

[Ihateyoumike]

I know this is just a t.v. show, but I was thinking, there has to be some people in the world who are like this.

You thought right. There are people like this, in fact, there is a religion built upon the belief that prayer is the only way to heal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Science

I give you, the "christian scientists":

Prayer, from the Christian Science perspective, does not ask God to intervene, but is rather a process of learning more of God's spiritual reality - "awakening mortal thought," by degrees, to spiritual truth. Christian Scientists show the effect of this spiritualization of thought in healing, -- physical, emotional, and otherwise. Health care is not attempted through drugs, surgery, or other physical manipulation, but through "Christian Science treatment," a specific form of prayer intended to spiritualize thought.

[Enoch Root]

What about:

If god wanted you to be well, he would not have given you cancer, ergo, by seeking treatment, you are using your "free will" to reject the lords plans and you will be damned for all eternity.

Well thankfully most people, Christians included, don't buy that kind of fatalistic philosophy, otherwise they wouldn't do anything.  Why give to charity if God wants the charity to fail?  Why help the old lady across the street if God wants her to fall?  Why eat if God wants me to be hungry?  Perhaps it's the logical end of Calvinist theology, but I've always found Calvinist theology disgusting, both as a Christian and as an atheist.

I recently asked my friend (still a Christian) who created diseases.  He gave the usual Sunday School answer that they're a result of sin, of the fall of man.  I said "No, who designed the disease?  Let's say the smallpox virus.  Who designed it?  Who built the RNA?  Surely something as complex as an RNA string had an intelligent designer."  He had to admit he didn't know.  It's a bit of a conundrum for them: either Satan designed the virus (meaning he has creative powers?  he can create life?), or the virus evolved (ahhhh!!  no!), or God intentionally designed a complex organism for the express purpose of indiscriminately killing humans.  Neither of those three options are palatable for Christians.

[GodlessInND]

I agree with SSY who said

People rationalise their reliance on medical science by saying "No, you don't understaaaaaand, it's all part of gods plan, he wanted me to be healed, so he worked thooouuugh a doctor to heal me."

As irrational as they may be, at least these believers allow themselves and their children to be treated by medical professionals.  Unlike the parents in this story:  http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1877352,00.html

I've worked in the non-profit sector for four years, and I've heard my fair share of people say things like, "God makes people poor/disabled/sick, and if he wanted them to have a better life, they would.  Who am I to question god's plan?"  This is their justification for NOT volunteering or donating to charities.  It baffles my mind.

[SSY]

That article makes me sad.

The people mentioned are getting off lightly in my oppinion if all they get is charged with is reckless endangerment.

I also like the nutjobs protestations at being prosecuted for negligence by yapping about their right to religious freedom, all the while oppressivley indoctrinating their children.

Some of the laws mentioned also seem a little strange, apparently, beleiving that prayer is the best thing to do is a legitimate defence. How can you prove someones beliefs? "Unfit to stand trial for reasons of insanity" would seem the more apt defence for their actions.

[VanReal]

As irrational as they may be, at least these believers allow themselves and their children to be treated by medical professionals.  Unlike the parents in this story:  http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1877352,00.html

I've worked in the non-profit sector for four years, and I've heard my fair share of people say things like, "God makes people poor/disabled/sick, and if he wanted them to have a better life, they would.  Who am I to question god's plan?"  This is their justification for NOT volunteering or donating to charities.  It baffles my mind.

This one is very disturbing because there is really no way to know if they actually were practicing members of this online religion.  And online religion?  Were they not devoted enough to meet and greet the community they were becoming a part of.  By this they could have just researched a religion that forbids medical treatment and let the girl die because they didn't want to pay for her glucotrol or insulin if necessary.

What's truly upsetting is thinking of all of the people that would appreicate nothing better than a dose of antibiotics or a vaccine for their child to live.  This should not be allowed in any form.  By this stance they should be able to beat their children and rape their wives as that is also allowable in the bible and may be  part of their religion.  What about not allowing polygamy when that is in violation in some people's religion?  The fact that they are even allowing it and drafting legislation to include religion tolerance when it comes to medical care for children is ridiculous.  This should be a decision an adult makes and can choose which treatment if any they are going to allow.  

I wonder how they'll feel when they are forced to pay for healthcare for their children which may be a requirement in a few years.

[Psalm23]

It's been documented throughout history. I've heard of stories where patients have only 6 months to live, but the cancer dissapears, and that person goes on to live another 25 years with a clean bill of health. Miracle of God or coincidence? Guess what? We'll never know because no mortal man has the answers. If you can find me one scientist or doctor that can disprove God.. I would love to debate him/her. I will prove them wrong, as usual.

[NaturaLCalamity]

It's been documented throughout history.

Yes, I agree with you. Nothing more than stories have been documented throughout history.

I've heard of stories where patients have only 6 months to live, but the cancer dissapears, and that person goes on to live another 25 years with a clean bill of health. Miracle of God or coincidence? Guess what? We'll never know because no mortal man has the answers.

God doesn't give people cancer, and then takes them away so people can call it a miracle. That's just silly.  There is nothing coincidental about that either. It's called a remission. Maybe instead of going to church on Sundays, you should do a little research because clearly, church isn't doing a good job by educating you. Scientists and researchers aren't 100% sure why remissions happen, but their answers are more likely to be possible than God.

If you can find me one scientist or doctor that can disprove God.. I would love to debate him/her. I will prove them wrong, as usual.

I don't get what your intentions are. I am not here to debate whether God exists or don't exists. I've already made up my mind and most likely, I'm sticking to it. But if you really want to debate, go right ahead!

Guess what? We'll never know because no mortal man has the answers. I will prove them wrong, as usual.

You're giving me a headache. You said no mortal human will ever have the answers. That means that you do not have the answers also. Yet, you claim you can prove God exists. You can't prove something if you don't have the answers to them. Are you not mortal?

[Ihateyoumike]

It's been documented throughout history.

Links? Proof? If you claim documentation in your trollish argument, you may want to come forward with said documentation.

I've heard of stories where patients have only 6 months to live, but the cancer dissapears, and that person goes on to live another 25 years with a clean bill of health.

So, which is it? Have you documentation to provide? Or do you merely have stories which you have heard. If you're gonna troll, you may want to keep your "facts" in order.

Miracle of God or coincidence? Guess what? We'll never know because no mortal man has the answers.

No mortal man has all the answers right now. However, there are some mortal men who are in constant search for truth. There are other mortal men (religions) that would like to "pull the wool over your eyes" to keep you "flocking" to their churches and to take your money from you. I'll stick with the truth-seekers, thank you very much.

If you can find me one scientist or doctor that can disprove God.. I would love to debate him/her. I will prove them wrong, as usual.

I'm too lazy to do a google images search for "arrogant troll is arrogant."

[Twiddler]

It's been documented throughout history. I've heard of stories where patients have only 6 months to live, but the cancer dissapears, and that person goes on to live another 25 years with a clean bill of health. Miracle of God or coincidence? Guess what? We'll never know because no mortal man has the answers. If you can find me one scientist or doctor that can disprove God.. I would love to debate him/her. I will prove them wrong, as usual.

Just curious, but when you're discussing things with people, do you notice them roll their eyes a lot?  And that is if they even allow you to get to the point where you can have a discussion with them.