Would you refuse treatment from a religious Doctor?

asphalt_jungle · 17-12-2012 07:23PM #1

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 · 17-12-2012 07:24PM

It's a stupid viewpoint

miamee · 17-12-2012 07:26PM

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

franktheplank · 17-12-2012 07:26PM

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

Lenin Skynard · 17-12-2012 07:26PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:26PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:27PM

Another religion / anti-religion thread?

Brilliant. :rolleyes:

RayM · 17-12-2012 07:28PM

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

stimpson · 17-12-2012 07:29PM

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

steddyeddy · 17-12-2012 07:31PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:31PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:32PM

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

rainbow kirby · 17-12-2012 07:33PM

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

Duggy747 · 17-12-2012 07:37PM

Maybe if my prescription read:

"Needs 10 Hail Marys"

corktina · 17-12-2012 07:37PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:38PM

asphalt_jungle wrote: »

Is this a reasonable viewpoint to hold?

No.

Shryke · 17-12-2012 07:40PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:41PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:43PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:43PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:44PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:44PM

Collie D wrote: »

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

You lose.

who_me · 17-12-2012 07:44PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:46PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:46PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:50PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:53PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:53PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:53PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:57PM

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 · 17-12-2012 07:59PM

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

"..Ugh.. thanks doc."

Would you refuse treatment from a religious Doctor?

Would you? 20 votes

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