Would you refuse treatment from a religious Doctor?

asphalt_jungle

There have been numerous studies linking belief in God and intention to practice Medicine in a holistic manner. Too many to cite, so google them yourself. Would you allow yourself to be treated by a religious Doctor? I would be of the opinion that unless absolutely no other option exists, I would reject a Doctor who believes in invisable men in the sky treating me. For all their "intelligence", belief in religion would instantly make me think much less of a Doctor, that their interests lie mainly with fairytales, and not with reality as it objectively stands?

Is this a reasonable viewpoint to hold?

GRMA

It's a stupid viewpoint

miamee

Their religious beliefs are none of your business unless it affects your care in some way.

franktheplank

Why not just ask straight out are religious people stupid if that's what you're thinking?

Lenin Skynard

I certainly wouldn't undermine someone's ability to do their job because of a personal religious bias. Your poll is also worded in quite a misleading manner.

Cavehill Red

Couldn't care less what they believed in.
I'd be much more concerned to know where they got their degree from, though.
Medical polytechnic of Islamabad? No thanks.

SeaFields

Another religion / anti-religion thread?

Brilliant. :rolleyes:

RayM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SHNJqvFqt4

stimpson

If I was pregnant and in UCHG I might be a bit concerned.

steddyeddy

There is a Dr of medicine in America who doesn't accept evolution. He was talked about on boards a while back. Anyway I woild refuse to let him treat me. I would question his scientific competence.

Loomis

Only if I thought it was affecting their judgment in treating me.
But that applies to anything else that might be affecting their judgment.

Lucy and Harry

I want a medically trained expert not some fortune teller to deal with any illness I may get.

rainbow kirby

If I saw something in the office referring to the Catholic church, and I was there for ladygarden issues... run far, far away.

Duggy747

Maybe if my prescription read:

"Needs 10 Hail Marys"

corktina

franktheplank wrote: »

Why not just ask straight out are religious people stupid if that's what you're thinking?

yup especially having gone to all that trouble to open a new account and all...

3hn2givr7mx1sc

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

Is this a reasonable viewpoint to hold?

No.

Shryke

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

There have been numerous studies linking belief in God and intention to practice Medicine in a holistic manner. Too many to cite, so google them yourself. Would you allow yourself to be treated by a religious Doctor? I would be of the opinion that unless absolutely no other option exists, I would reject a Doctor who believes in invisable men in the sky treating me. For all their "intelligence", belief in religion would instantly make me think much less of a Doctor, that their interests lie mainly with fairytales, and not with reality as it objectively stands?

Is this a reasonable viewpoint to hold?

miamee wrote: »

Their religious beliefs are none of your business unless it affects your care in some way.

Read the freaking OP.

asphalt_jungle

Cavehill Red wrote: »

Couldn't care less what they believed in.
I'd be much more concerned to know where they got their degree from, though.
Medical polytechnic of Islamabad? No thanks.

You can't practice Medicine without a Degree, but you also cannot practice Medicine without a professional licence. Having a Degree is just the first hurdle. Religious belief should be factored into fitness to practice medicine. Controversial, perhaps. The logic is sound though. I cannot fathom how a medical practicioner can believe in religion. It's as absurd as an Honest Politician. Fundamentally incompatible ideologies, in both instances.

Liamario

Your thread title and the poll are mutually exclusive.
I have no problem with a religious doctor treating me.
I have a problem with a doctor treating me with religion/homoeopathy/accupuncture/pseudo-science/quackery.

Collie D

corktina wrote: »

yup especially having gone to all that trouble to open a new account and all...

Bet you a tenner he/she doesn't post on this thread again.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

If I was pregnant and in UCHG I might be a bit concerned.

Nothing to do with the religious beliefs of the doctor, rather the state.

Regardless, quiet possibly the most ridiculous OP I have ever read.

I think I need a break from AH / boards for a while.

asphalt_jungle

Collie D wrote: »

Bet you a tenner he/she doesn't post on this thread again.

You lose.

who_me

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

There have been numerous studies linking belief in God and intention to practice Medicine in a holistic manner. Too many to cite, so google them yourself. Would you allow yourself to be treated by a religious Doctor? I would be of the opinion that unless absolutely no other option exists, I would reject a Doctor who believes in invisable men in the sky treating me. For all their "intelligence", belief in religion would instantly make me think much less of a Doctor, that their interests lie mainly with fairytales, and not with reality as it objectively stands?

Is this a reasonable viewpoint to hold?

Why, my (soon to be ex)doctor is always babbling about 22 men chasing a bag of air around a field, as if it's something important. What a weird ritual... can't wait to get away from that weirdo..

You're free to choose your doctor based on (pretty much) any criteria you like. If you ignore their medical skills and choose them based on agreeing with all their religious/political/social views, you might find you run out of potential doctors.

Collie D

Collie D wrote: »

Bet you a tenner he/she doesn't post on this thread again.

Damn, OP just cost me tenner. Must have posted as I was typing

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

You can't practice Medicine without a Degree, but you also cannot practice Medicine without a professional licence. Having a Degree is just the first hurdle. Religious belief should be factored into fitness to practice medicine. Controversial, perhaps. The logic is sound though. I cannot fathom how a medical practicioner can believe in religion. It's as absurd as an Honest Politician. Fundamentally incompatible ideologies, in both instances.

Not just controversial but illegal on the grounds of religious discrimination.

WindSock

For all your 'intelligence' OP, you'd think you would understand that to become a medical practicioner in this country, you are subject to the same standards as everyone else, regardless of your beliefs.
I'm also assuming you wouldn't refuse if you were in a horrific accident and they were first on the scene.

asphalt_jungle

Collie D wrote: »

Damn, OP just cost me tenner. Must have posted as I was typing




Not just controversial but illegal on the grounds of religious discrimination.

Illegality does not make it correct. Performing a homosexual act up until 1993 was highly illegal in this country. The Politicians decide what is "illegal" not based of morals, but based on which interest group shouts the loudest. You only need to read the Mahon Report to understand this. Common Law tends to be more "just" than legislation. I would trust a Judge more than a Politician. Always.

stimpson

keith16 wrote: »

Nothing to do with the religious beliefs of the doctor, rather the state.

How can the state have religious beliefs?

The constitution allows for saving the mothers life, even if it hasn't been legislated for yet.

Collie D

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

Illegality does not make it correct. Performing a homosexual act up until 1993 was highly illegal in this country. The Politicians decide what is "illegal" not based of morals, but based on which interest group shouts the loudest. You only need to read the Mahon Report to understand this. Common Law tends to be more "just" than legislation. I would trust a Judge more than a Politician. Always.

So you don't think it's immoral to deny somebody a job because of their religion?

frozenfrozen

I read this as if they wanted to use religion to heal me... either way though I'd much prefer a non-religious doctor, but if they're doing the same thing and don't ask me to praise any gods, they're both perfectly capable of treating me.

asphalt_jungle

Collie D wrote: »

So you don't think it's immoral to deny somebody a job because of their religion?

No. Just another unfufilled contract. We live in relatively free society.

Eramen

"Hello, I'm a Hindu and I believe you have a kidney infection!"


"..Ugh.. thanks doc."

Tonyandthewhale

Although I'm not religious/spiritual/theistic myself I'm here long enough to know that there are plenty of perfectly intelligent and well educated religious people and that neither atheists nor theists hold a monopoly on cleverness or dumb****tery.

I'm sure a significant proportion of the medical professionals I've dealt with over the years have had at least some religious leanings (although it's never come up in conversation with any of them) but it's never been any issue. None of them have ever suggesting eschewing modern medicine in favour of a strict prayer regime or a pilgrimage so I'm happy out.

A doctor who brings their religion into their medical practice is of course a completely different animal to a doctor who just so happens to be religious on their own time.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

How can the state have religious beliefs?

The constitution allows for saving the mothers life, even if it hasn't been legislated for yet.

Well the constitution didn't save her, precisely because it hasn't been legislated for. Regardless, the doctors own beliefs had nothing to do with the case.

Collie D

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

No. Just another unfufilled contract. We live in relatively free society.

But not free enough to have religious beliefs and be a doctor? You're a bigot.

Unless a surgeon invites his medical team to hold hands and start chanting over me as I lie in my hospital bed instead of treating me I wouldn't have an issue.

Ridiculous thread/troll...I'm out.

sam34

Eramen wrote: »

"Hello, I'm a Hindu and I believe you have a kidney infection!"


"..Ugh.. thanks doc."

what's a Hindu?
















lay eggs :pac:

stimpson

keith16 wrote: »

Well the constitution didn't save her, precisely because it hasn't been legislated for. Regardless, the doctors own beliefs had nothing to do with the case.

The constitution is the supreme law of the land so legislation was not necessary. She was told nothing could be done because "this is a Catholic country". Go read up on the case, there's a good lad.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

The constitution is the supreme law of the land so legislation was not necessary. She was told nothing could be done because "this is a Catholic country". Go read up on the case, there's a good lad.

Yeah, what part of the above speaks to the religious beliefs of the doctor?

Why are you being so condescending? Completely unnecessary.

minidazzler

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

You can't practice Medicine without a Degree, but you also cannot practice Medicine without a professional licence. Having a Degree is just the first hurdle. Religious belief should be factored into fitness to practice medicine. Controversial, perhaps. The logic is sound though. I cannot fathom how a medical practicioner can believe in religion. It's as absurd as an Honest Politician. Fundamentally incompatible ideologies, in both instances.

The pioneering physicians before the west destroyed so much were Muslims in the east....who if you remember correctly believe in Allah.

Being religious doesn't make someone a bad doctor....but if they believed that it was all in gods hands and that medicine isn't needed then they aren't just a nut job.

A properly religious doctor will look at the skills and knowledge they have obtained through study as a gift from god to help them help people. That I'm OK with despite my complete lack of religion or faith in a God.

If they let someone die because of their own religion they should be jailed.

stimpson

keith16 wrote: »

Yeah, what part of the above speaks to the religious beliefs of the doctor?

Why are you being so condescending? Completely unnecessary.

She was denied an abortion based on religious beliefs. Unless you can show me how a country can have beliefs, it was the religious beliefs of the staff that cost that woman her life.

asphalt_jungle

Collie D wrote: »

But not free enough to have religious beliefs and be a doctor? You're a bigot.

Unless a surgeon invites his medical team to hold hands and start chanting over me as I lie in my hospital bed instead of treating me I wouldn't have an issue.

Ridiculous thread/troll...I'm out.

No, just a consumer. Everybody is a bigot. At least to some degree. A job interview, is a good example of bigotry. Companies practice bigotry every single day. That is why they don't give you exact reasons for rejection. It would open their intolerance to legal action.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

She was denied an abortion based on religious beliefs. Unless you can show me how a country can have beliefs, it was the religious beliefs of the staff that cost that woman her life.

You said it yourself, she was told "this is a catholic country". That says absolutely nothing about the doctors beliefs.

Catholicism is woven into the very fabric of this country and the constitution.

The staff were constrained by the (lack of) legislation, not by their beliefs. For all you know the doctor could have been hindu / atheist / jedi.

I think you may require some additional or actual reading.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

She was denied an abortion based on religious beliefs. Unless you can show me how a country can have beliefs, it was the religious beliefs of the staff that cost that woman her life.

By the way, that is an absolutely outrageous thing to say. Completely unfounded and possibly libelous.

donegal_man

I had to have an operation several years ago while living in Canada. I knew the surgeon involved to be a dedicated Christian as we both attended the same church (he a lot more actively than me) and his assistant to be an equally devout Muslim. The only thing that concerned me was that they were both highly qualified professionals who would do their job to the best of their considerable abilities, if they wanted to say a little prayer while they were to their elbows in my innards was neither here nor their so long as they applied what they probably regarded as their God given gifts at the same time.
I'd be a heck of lot more worried by a well qualified atheist who also had an aroma therapist and a phrenologist on his / her staff

Madam_X

Do you mean any religion or just christian? Because while you might have an idea that a doctor is muslim or hindu (dress) I'm not sure it would be that easy to tell when a person is christian or practising Jew (apart maybe from Hassidic)... unless you asked or they told you. And neither is likely. If they did start going on about praying etc (which I presume would be frowned upon by their employers) I'd just say thanks but that's not for me.

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

There have been numerous studies linking belief in God and intention to practice Medicine in a holistic manner. Too many to cite, so google them yourself. Would you allow yourself to be treated by a religious Doctor?

Sure I would. Just because their faith has inspired them to study and practise medicine doesn't make a difference to their work performance. If anything their faith might cause them to strive extra hard.

stimpson

keith16 wrote: »

You said it yourself, she was told "this is a catholic country". That says absolutely nothing about the doctors beliefs.

Catholicism is woven into the very fabric of this country and the constitution.

The staff were constrained by the (lack of) legislation, not by their beliefs. For all you know the doctor could have been hindu / atheist / jedi.

I think you may require some additional or actual reading.

I think you need to do some reading. Maybe start with the Constitution:

44.2.2°: The State guarantees not to endow any religion.

Then have a look at the judgement on the X Case

The majority opinion (Finlay C.J., McCarthy, Egan and O'Flaherty J.J.) held that a woman had a right to an abortion under Article 40.3.3 if there was "a real and substantial risk" to her life.

OneArt

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

You can't practice Medicine without a Degree, but you also cannot practice Medicine without a professional licence. Having a Degree is just the first hurdle. Religious belief should be factored into fitness to practice medicine. Controversial, perhaps. The logic is sound though. I cannot fathom how a medical practicioner can believe in religion. It's as absurd as an Honest Politician. Fundamentally incompatible ideologies, in both instances.

"Religion" is not the one ideology. Which one are you referring to? All of them? Because many are vastly different.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

I think you need to do some reading. Maybe start with the Constitution:



Then have a look at the judgement on the X Case

Nevertheless the constitution still contains a number of explicit religious references, such as in the preamble, the declaration made by the President, and the remaining text of Article 44.1, which reads:
The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion.

Can you please now provide some evidence that Savita died because a doctor failed to act based on their individual beliefs?

stimpson

keith16 wrote: »

Can you please now provide some evidence that Savita died because a doctor failed to act based on their individual beliefs?

First show me where "Catholicism is woven into the very fabric of the constitution."

And show me how a country can be a "Catholic country".

Cavehill Red

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

You can't practice Medicine without a Degree, but you also cannot practice Medicine without a professional licence. Having a Degree is just the first hurdle. Religious belief should be factored into fitness to practice medicine. Controversial, perhaps. The logic is sound though. I cannot fathom how a medical practicioner can believe in religion. It's as absurd as an Honest Politician. Fundamentally incompatible ideologies, in both instances.

Actually, as numerous cases both here and in Britain indicate, all too often you can practice medicine WITHOUT a medical degree, so long as you bullsh!t you have one and get yourself licensed locally.
Again, I repeat: I don't care what a doctor believes in so long as they are properly qualified from a legitimate educational establishment. Also, and I say this as an atheist myself, your post is the sort of ideological fascism that gives atheists a bad name.

keith16

stimpson wrote: »

First show me where "Catholicism is woven into the very fabric of the constitution."

See my above post.

And show me how a country can be a "Catholic country".

Ireland is a demonstrably Catholic country.

In 2011, 84.2% of the population identified themselves as Roman Catholic

Like it or not, the catholic church and state in this country are explicitly linked in terms of education, civil rights and so on. Do you live under a rock or something?

Now, are you even able to begin to defend your ridiculous thanks whoring comment that it was the individual beliefs of the doctors concerned that cost Savita her life?

Rasheed

I've had contact with a lot of the doctors in the last seven years as a nurse and as a patient.

I have never met one that professed their religion to me or any patient in all those years.

If you feel that you wouldn't like a religious doctor, you've obviously never been sick, or seen someone you love in pain. Because if you had, you wouldn't care what age, colour, sex, religion or fūcking hair colour the doctor had if they helped.