(Politics or Religion?) How About A Little Dose of Fundamentalism

[paularoid]

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/05/15/how-about-a-little-dose-of-fundamentalism-to-make-the-medicine-go-down/

How About A Little Dose of Fundamentalism To Make The Medicine Go Down?
from Crooks and Liars by Nicole Belle

Navy Times:
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/05/navy_conversion_070513w/

Navy veteran David Miller said that when he checked into the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City, he didn't realize he would get a hard sell for Christian fundamentalism along with treatment for his kidney stones.

Miller, 46, an Orthodox Jew, said he was repeatedly proselytized by hospital chaplains and staff in attempts to convert him to Christianity during three hospitalizations over the past two years.

He said he went hungry each time because the hospital wouldn't serve him kosher food, and the staff refused to contact his rabbi, who could have brought him something to eat.[..]

He described the Iowa City facility as an institution permeated by government sponsorship of fundamentalist Christianity and unconstitutional discrimination against Jews.[..]

The hospital's chaplains and staff, Miller said, have the attitude that you either accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior and you are saved, or you are damned.

He said he has tried to resolve the problems with the hospital's administration without success.

*note* For the full story go to the Navy Times link toward the top or immediately below.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/05/navy_conversion_070513w/

[DaveM]

Ouch! This would be roughly akin to being confine to a hospital bed in a facility where Jehovah's Witnesses were allowed to roam free. Only worse, since the Jehovah's won't stop you from getting anything to eat.

The military provides kosher MREs to troops in the field--I'd love to know why those hospitalized in our own country are not entitled to the same consideration.

Just what were those freedoms our troops are supposed to be fighting for over in Iraq?

[Rkitko]

Fundamentalism really needs to up and pass on already. I'm really tired of it.

This past Easter, my neighbor saw me out and about. Told me she was off to church and told me that's where I ought to be, too. Now, why the presumption? What gives her the right to tell me what to do? But it's not just about her or that one comment. What gives anyone the right to assert their personal sky monster beliefs on anyone else? It's really beginning to tick me off more and more now-a-days and it's getting harder to smile, shrug it off, and respond politely.

/rant

How do I stick to my morals and remain polite but tell fundies where to stick it when they're shoving it down my throat?

[paularoid]

How do I stick to my morals and remain polite but tell fundies where to stick it when they're shoving it down my throat?
You don't.

[Dee]

And yet the article also says,

“We will look into these concerns that Mr. Miller is talking about. The Iowa City VA respects the rights to religious beliefs for every patient. If they have a request for any kind of religious needs, we try to accommodate whatever those needs or beliefs might be.”

Kosher meals are available to Jewish VA patients in Iowa City, Sickels said.

[ponytail]

When Dave was in Hershey Medical Center recovering from stomach surgery, a man and a woman claiming to be from the chaplain's office came in and started prostelytising him. Dave told them he wasn't a Christian and asked them to leave. They did, but the guy gave this parting shot: "Jesus loves you, he really does."

Hershey Medical Center is a teaching hospital, part of Penn State University. Dave wrote them a letter complaining about what happened, and they told him it was a couple of overzealous students who they would correct. The main chapel at the hospital is nondenominational, and has small side worship rooms set up for Christians, Muslims, and Jews; one of the chaplains is a Buddhist priest. Many of the students are from India and practice Hinduism. But it is in Central PA, the bible belt...so an occasional gaffe like this is probably unavoidable.

How awful that someone should have to put up with that as part of hospital policy, whether they officially admit it or not.

[Oak Kitten]

How do I stick to my morals and remain polite but tell fundies where to stick it when they're shoving it down my throat?


Just smile politely and tell her that you possess your own spark of divine fire, thank you very much, and she may feel free to worship you and save on the gas she wastes by driving to church. I doubt it will convince her, but I bet it will shut her up.

Oak

[DaveM]

Or you could simply ask if they've come to share the Holy Spirit, and when they reply in the affirmative, tell them you'd like at least a quart.

[Rkitko]

Those are fantastic suggestions! Unfortunately I'm not as quick-witted as either of you seem and end up remaining silent or nodding politely with tongue firmly planted between my teeth. I do wish I could say something, but I avoid confrontation at all costs, including becoming a doormat. Maybe I'll change someday ;) Perhaps I just need more of a pirate influence in my life?

[DaveM]

Everyone could benefit by acquiring the appropriate level of Pirate instincts. Just look what it's done for Dick Cheney, who, alas, seems to have not gotten the fun part.

[Oak Kitten]

Rkikto,

I usually think up these brilliant ripostes long AFTER the fact. But then I try to file them away in my memory for the next opportunity. . .

Oak

[Bat]

I think if someone had the temerity to come into MY hospital room (which I'm paying for) and proselytize me, I would threaten to send them the bill for that day if they did not leave immediately...followed with, "How Dare you?!" and a bellowed, "GET OUT!!"
The one I really feel sorry for is Rummy, hospitalized and in great pancreatic pain, having to put up with the political likes of Gonzales barging into his room and trying to browbeat him into signing an unconstitutional bill, which, to his credit, Rummy refused to do. What inestimable gall!

[Marcia Drummergal]

I think if someone had the temerity to come into MY hospital room (which I'm paying for) and proselytize me, I would threaten to send them the bill for that day if they did not leave immediately...followed with, "How Dare you?!" and a bellowed, "GET OUT!!"
The one I really feel sorry for is Rummy, hospitalized and in great pancreatic pain, having to put up with the political likes of Gonzales barging into his room and trying to browbeat him into signing an unconstitutional bill, which, to his credit, Rummy refused to do. What inestimable gall!

It was Ashcroft, not Rummy. And now...back to our story!

Marcia ;)

[DaveM]

It's so easy to mix them up, Marcia....they all look alike, y'know.