Christian Vets

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thaowey said:
also, being a Christian has made me think of things we learn in classes differently. i.e. of all the processes we learn in physics, chemistry, evolution, atoms, etc...what if all of that is fake/abstract? i'm sure someone can say the same thing about Christianity [what if God's fake?], but for me, it makes it harder to actually learn the material simply because i think its all bull and i obviously don't give a **** about it.

all i know i want to do in life is to help people. and i like animals. so i think i can mash 'em up together and help people by helping their animals, or by working with animals to improve the life of mankind by preventing disease transmission, or finding a cure. life is hard, and vet med is tough, but i know that i can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
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Think about it like this, if I were to say:

I really love helping people, and I've seen how that dude with the big hat really gets people to flock to him, and they really believe he can help them. I want to be like that, though I'm not to sure about that Jebus dude and that old book with all those sayings- that's total bullsh*t, but I mean I really want to be a priest and help people- giving out that flat bred and sprinkling holy water on folks.... it just seems like the job for me!

Thats why everyone sort of jumped down your throat- think about it from a different perspective. But hey, like you said your words came out totally wrong, but if you've got your reasons then no one can stop you for doing what you will. Just know its what YOU want to do.
 
JSpitz said:
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudddddddde.
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Dude.jpg
 
lostbunny said:
I really love helping people, and I've seen how that dude with the big hat really gets people to flock to him, and they really believe he can help them. I want to be like that, though I'm not to sure about that Jebus dude and that old book with all those sayings- that's total bullsh*t, but I mean I really want to be a priest and help people- giving out that flat bred and sprinkling holy water on folks.... it just seems like the job for me!
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:laugh: That's a good way of putting it..
 
nyanko said:
That's a good way of putting it..
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I agree! My SO and I were talking about this topic last night actually and I used pretty much the same phrasing (except I said minister and not priest) to make the same point. His response (he just finished his first year of med school): "That may be true, but it's a lot more socially accepted for someone to go into medicine who feels that way about the foundations of science than it would be for you to go that route. One guy even came and lectured to my class and he even admitted that he doesn't believe the stuff he teaches."

Personally, I just can't imagine wanting to go into a field and not believing it. I definitely agree with Minnerbelle and TT though. If it's what you want to do, it's what you want to do and no one else can tell you otherwise, but I don't think it's bad -- for anyone -- to reconsider career goals at some point or another.
 
alliecat44 said:
As an atheist, I definitely felt uncomfortable with the whole CVMF crowd/praying/events and whatnot.

But--regardless of where you go to vet school, that presence will be there. Good to know for people seeking fellowship and those of us who are uncomfortable about it. 👍
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They do have good, free food though! And it's better than bread and fish too (though, no wine).

But seriously, I've always wondered how I'd handle a client asking me to pray for them. If you consent, and don't, isn't that unethical? But if you tell them you're an atheist, well you'll probably lose a client.

I'd also like to bring a thought to the table for everyone from a professor of mine, that I think helps to bring a small explanation about why some logical rational minded scientists can also choose a faith based on a not always rational belief system. This particular professor was fond of pointing out that science shows a great many things, but PROVES none of them. We can explain gravity, and even have a great many equations and co-efficients that allow us to calculate gravity. But in the end, it is an unseen force. It is totally possible that gravity is not one downward force, but 6 upward forces and 3 downward forces that just happen to be greater. At the end of the day, we take it on faith that when we wake up the next morning, our feet will hit the floor and not the ceiling, and almost none of us will ever bother testing the direction of gravity everyday to see if it has changed.
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Yah but that's just the god of the gaps. Don't understand something completely? God did it!

That's not really a good way of doing things...not to pick but there is a rather good example of why this is dangerous in this very thread:

also, being a Christian has made me think of things we learn in classes differently. i.e. of all the processes we learn in physics, chemistry, evolution, atoms, etc...what if all of that is fake/abstract? i'm sure someone can say the same thing about Christianity [what if God's fake?], but for me, it makes it harder to actually learn the material simply because i think its all bull and i obviously don't give a **** about it.
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If you are not Christian, then you don't 'get it'
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What of us who used to be and are no longer?


Oh well, hopefully none of this gets on the rug. It really ties the room together.

Oh and by the by, for those with access to VIN, in the issues and arguments folder there's an 800 or so long post about religion. Quite the entertaining, all be it frustrating, read. Or well, skim, to be honest.
 
HopefulAg,
I really like that "god of gaps"...I'll definitely use it next time I find myself in one of "those" conversations. I also agree...those of us raised in christian homes who found our way out of religion by way of reason actually do "get it" but don't want it anymore. I think there's a misunderstanding on the part of many religious folks that atheists have our own set of beliefs. When in reality we just don't believe. We're not trying to sell anyone on anything. We're simply not buying what THEY are selling!
 
HopefulAg said:
Yah but that's just the god of the gaps. Don't understand something completely? God did it!
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LOL! I have to admit, I've thought of this many many times, and I still don't have an answer for it. I will admit though, that the only time I truly resort to the "god of gaps" is when I frankly just don't care. Age of the earth/creationism issues.....don't care! So it really doesn't matter to me that science says big bang and the Bible says 7 days of God work. Until the time machine is invented and I can go back and watch it for myself, it's a moot point.

For the most part, I think science is pretty fun, mostly accurate when done right, and I really don't think God cares that we're discovering the way things work. The example I gave is more of a way of trying to bridge the gap of explaining how I can believe in a God I can't see to sciency people who truly think that belief has no place in science. Even with the investigative nature of science, belief does still play a role in our paradigms about how the world functions in the first place.
 
HopefulAg said:
But seriously, I've always wondered how I'd handle a client asking me to pray for them. If you consent, and don't, isn't that unethical? But if you tell them you're an atheist, well you'll probably lose a client.
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This is something I've had to deal with as an agnostic atheist. Generally, I say something along the lines of, "I'll keep them/it/her/him/that in my thoughts." I think about whatever situation I'm hearing of, and hope/want it to be better; I just don't wish* that someone who can supposedly hear my thoughts would help the situation.

*I personally see prayers as a form of wishing. Please do not take this as putting down the act of praying.
 
That's what I was going to say. You don't have to agree or decline to pray for the animal, I just picture the conversation going more like-

Client: Will you please pray for Fluffy?
Veterinarian: I will certainly keep Fluffy in my thoughts, and will do my best to help her have a speedy recovery.

I don't think anyone would really go "But I asked you to PRAY for Fluffy." I'm not an atheist but I don't really like organized religion, per say (as opposed to "personal faith"), and if I client were to ask me to pray with him or her I see no harm in bowing my head respectfully as the client prays.
 
EllieGirl89 said:
That's what I was going to say. You don't have to agree or decline to pray for the animal
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Makes sense to me. I have a hard time seeing a client push past that point, but if they really persisted, I think it's best to be honest and say something like "I'm not really a believer in prayer" followed by "... but I have a colleague here you could talk to" (if that's a possibility) or "... but perhaps you have family or friends or church leaders you could talk to?"

That approach is an honest acknowledgement of your feelings as well as a supportive gesture toward them that doesn't belittle their faith or desire for prayer.

I'd feel a little dirty chickening out and muttering "Sure, yeah, I'll pray for Fluffy" if I didn't mean it.
 
EllieGirl89 said:
[...] and if I client were to ask me to pray with him or her I see no harm in bowing my head respectfully as the client prays.
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I agree with this. There's no reason for me to refuse to respect someone else's prayer, I just won't do the praying myself.
 
EllieGirl89 said:
That's what I was going to say. You don't have to agree or decline to pray for the animal, I just picture the conversation going more like-

Client: Will you please pray for Fluffy?
Veterinarian: I will certainly keep Fluffy in my thoughts, and will do my best to help her have a speedy recovery.

I don't think anyone would really go "But I asked you to PRAY for Fluffy." I'm not an atheist but I don't really like organized religion, per say (as opposed to "personal faith"), and if I client were to ask me to pray with him or her I see no harm in bowing my head respectfully as the client prays.
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I have the same feelings with this as well. Even IF you did agree to "pray" for someone its not like there is a god bulletin board they can check and hold you accountable. I view the word "pray" as more of, thinking of/hopeful for/wishing/etc. I think even among christians they tell eachother they will pray for someone and ten seconds later totally forget about the matter.

So send up jingles, good vibes, or eat a bowl of chocolate ice cream, either way the universe will feel the same 😉 Not unethical.

I totally agree with Bisbee, I think a lot of atheist do get christians because either they grew up in a christian founded home or were a christian at one point and have found reasoning else where. Its not that we lack understanding of the religion its that we have understanding and have choosen something else. (Not saying christians don't have understanding)
 
True, however a god bulletin board would be awesome. There'd still probably be spammers and trolls though.
 
As a non-believer, this is something I do worry about.

I've never actually encountered an awkward situation in a professional setting (though I don't live in a terribly religious area), but religious concerns have come up (particularly in relation to end-of-life and critical care issues), and (for whatever reason) I've always seemed to attract a fair amount of unsolicited probing in this area from the general public.

I generally (strongly) dislike talking faith with perfect strangers... partly because I feel like my beliefs are a private matter, and partly because I'm always afraid I'll end up inadvertently offending someone or arousing unwanted concern about the status of my salvation.

I'd have no problem bowing my head and respectfully going along with things if a family chose to pray in the room and wanted to include me in the process. But if they wanted me to lead a prayer or something of that nature, I'd be completely out of my element. I would definitely be uncomfortable with promising to pray later and not doing it. If asked, I'd initially go with the "keeping X in my thoughts" bit, but if pressed further, I'd have to fess up and admit that I'm not a believer. I don't think it's right or fair to be dishonest or patronize the client. If they consider prayer an important component of their pet's care enough to really press the issue, they need to be aware of the fact that this particular veterinarian won't be capable of providing it.

Beyond the prayer issue, I also worry about my ability to communicate effectively with certain clients when end-of-life issues arise. Will my words fall flat because I'm incapable of not speaking solely in secular terms even when it's obvious someone is looking for something 'more'? Will they feel the same disconnect I do when staff members hand me a stack of 'Rainbow Bridge' stuff when I lose a pet?

When religion comes up in the exam room, it's generally easy enough to covertly and respectfully turn the focus back on the client's beliefs/feelings... but I know sooner or later, I'm going to find myself in a situation where that isn't the case.
 
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We recently lost our 15 1/2 year old golden retriever. Angie. She had a good, long life and we knew the end was coming, but it was still sad after having her around for so many years as part of our family. When we finally had to put Angie down, the vet tech was going on and on with us about how Angie was now in heaven with her own dog that she lost last year and how they're prancing around and barking and having a great time together now and how she talks to her deceased dog all the time, etc. Being atheists, my husband and I were just kind of quiet because we didn't want to burst her bubble of believing her dog was now in a better place. On the other hand, looking back I feel that since we were the clients under a stressful loss situation, the tech should have been more general in her comments not knowing what we believed or didn't. I find it n general, I find it especially disturbing when people automatically assume that everyone else believes what they believe. I know she was just trying to make us feel better, but it was a burden to listen to at the time. So, this story was the reverse of what is being discussed thus far...this time it was the client dealing with a religious veterinary professional. When we got our new puppies, we switched to a different vet office after asking our friends about religious points of view at the different clinics. Another point I'd like to make is that, as a vet I would certainly not get into any religious discussion with a client. However, it's a fine line and difficult situation when someone does "push" you to agree that Fluffy is in a better place. Somehow I think that atheists are still very much in the closet because we don't want others to think badly of us, unfriend us (or take their business elsewhere). While religious folks have the freedom to say whatever they want, we atheists are expected to be quiet and not offend anyone (even when they bring it up first...which is always the case because I would never bring up religion since it's just not a part of my life). Sometimes I do actually feel offended by religious folks (as in above situation). I'm beginning to realize that it is our duty to be honest and show the world that we are good, law-abiding, caring people who contribute to society. We love our families, our pets and our friends. When we tell who we are then it may encourage a person who is struggling with faith to realize that it's okay to say you don't believe; there are others who feel the same way! I know in some families there are dire consequences to coming out on the topic, but I feel we should all be able to live a free and honest life.
 
Bisbee, I'm so very sorry for your loss of Angie. I can deeply empathize with how the technician's behavior made the moment much more awkward and difficult for you and your husband and don't blame you at all for choosing a different veterinary clinic!!!

I think you make an excellent point as to how "in the closet" atheists kind of have to be in our society. We are a marginalized social group, to be sure--a bunch of "godless heathens" who apparently are immoral (because our morality didn't come from God). I agree that more of us need to speak out!

This is a recent news item that I found very interesting: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/10/us-atheist-ads-idUSTRE7594E720110610

I think it proves that atheists have more to fear from the religious than vice-versa.
 
Bisbee said:
However, it's a fine line and difficult situation when someone does "push" you to agree that Fluffy is in a better place.
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See, as an athiest I would have no problem in agreeing with this (AKA, that Fluffy is in a better place). Those clients who desperately want to believe this usually hang on until euthanasia essentially HAS to occur. In those cases, while they are sad, in general i truly believe that death is a better "place" then life. Sure, I'm agreeing to a different thing than what they are really asking, but i truly do believe that fluffy is in a better place!!!

As for a lot of the things in this thread regarding clients and pushing religion etc, I have to ask a question that shows how young I am, and the fact I've never travelled to the United States. Is bringing religion into everything an American thing? Just I've been working in clinics for over 6 years now and I've never even heard a client mention us praying for Fluffy, much less "pushing the issue" - I don't even understand why a client would be like "but make sure you PRAY for him - you will speak to god, wont you?" or even ask you to lead in prayer???. I just honestly can't imagine that situation ever happening. That said, the general stereotype over here is that Americans in general are a far more religious body than Australians, so I don't know if there is a bit of a cultural difference?

Certainly I don't believe all Americans are "God fearing" people, but there is a bit of a belief over here that your country is more so than Australia. 🙂
 
sunshinevet said:
Is bringing religion into everything an American thing?
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Yes. Very much so.

sunshinevet said:
Just I've been working in clinics for over 6 years now and I've never even heard a client mention us praying for Fluffy, much less "pushing the issue" - I don't even understand why a client would be like "but make sure you PRAY for him - you will speak to god, wont you?" or even ask you to lead in prayer???. I just honestly can't imagine that situation ever happening.
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So, uh...what's the veterinary job market like in Australia? 😛
 
I'm so sorry about your experience. You are exactly right about how the tech should have behaved. But...

Bisbee said:
While religious folks have the freedom to say whatever they want, we atheists are expected to be quiet and not offend anyone
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... I don't think that's true. Just look at this thread: absolutely nobody has criticized the atheists or the agnostics, but the Christians have been challenged in a much bolder manner. I don't think anyone on either side has been offensive or unreasonable (which rocks!), but it's clear that nobody's taken any of the atheists as offensive.

I think the same basic mechanisms are at work both directions. When a Christian gets proud and obnoxious about their faith, it's offensive. When an atheist gets haughty and dismissive about their conclusions about God, it's also offensive. Basically, nobody likes thoughtless arrogance, regardless of which side it's on.
 
sunshinevet said:
Is bringing religion into everything an American thing? Just I've been working in clinics for over 6 years now and I've never even heard a client mention us praying for Fluffy, much less "pushing the issue" - I don't even understand why a client would be like "but make sure you PRAY for him - you will speak to god, wont you?" or even ask you to lead in prayer???. I just honestly can't imagine that situation ever happening. That said, the general stereotype over here is that Americans in general are a far more religious body than Australians, so I don't know if there is a bit of a cultural difference?

Certainly I don't believe all Americans are "God fearing" people, but there is a bit of a belief over here that your country is more so than Australia. 🙂
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When I take dogs into our mobile unit where they'll be spayed or neutered I frequently have people ask me to wait while they do the sign of the cross over their dog or say "G-d bless you" to me. I live in Miami though which has a very high Latino Catholic population. But it's super weird to me. I had to ask my coworkers how to respond when someone says "G-d bless you" because I had never encountered it before. America is much more religious than some other countries. However it really depends on the location. I never experienced the level of religion I experience down here when I lived in New Jersey. But I do have to say compared to countries like those in Latin America, Americans don't even begin to describe the super religious.
 
Chinola said:
When I take dogs into our mobile unit where they'll be spayed or neutered I frequently have people ask me to wait while they do the sign of the cross over their dog or say "G-d bless you" to me. I live in Miami though which has a very high Latino Catholic population. But it's super weird to me. I had to ask my coworkers how to respond when someone says "G-d bless you" because I had never encountered it before. America is much more religious than some other countries. However it really depends on the location. I never experienced the level of religion I experience down here when I lived in New Jersey. But I do have to say compared to countries like those in Latin America, Americans don't even begin to describe the super religious.
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The other day a lady came into the shelter with her dying dog for a euthinasia request. I helped her through everything and she rewarded me by praying for me (right in front of me) fo a good 10 mins. Very awkward. >.>

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
 
@ Bisbee-

I'm sorry to hear about Angie. 🙁

It does make me uncomfortable when people respond to my cat's declining health by assuring me that someday we'll be reunited in an afterlife I don't subscribe to, Thomas healed and chunky and alert as he was before the virus started decimating his brain. I understand that their intentions are good. They're sharing something that works for them, that they assume is going to work for me, too. But while I appreciate the sentiment, it doesn't. It just makes me feel guilty on some level (probably because of the environment I grew up in) that I'm not going to be watching for signs or awaiting "The Bridge". I wonder, if those people knew the truth, if they'd assume I loved him less.

I'll be honest- he and I are joined at the hip, and it will slay me if I get "Rainbow Bridged" when his time comes.

I think I'm probably still kind of squicky about it because of the way that certain things were handled when my grandmother was in hospice a couple of years ago. I think it's imperative, in a professional setting, to be sensitive and remember that, for the most part (unless the client has made it clear at some point), we don't know what beliefs the individual on the other side of the exam table happens to subscribe to. Well-meaning assumptions and canned spiritual responses can and do place an unfair burden on grieving clients who don't share the staff member's views... as would, I'm sure, someone in my position being dismissive of a client's expression of beliefs they don't espouse.

Ultimately, whether or not I agree with a client's religious views is irrelevant (unless those views are somehow impeding my ability to provide appropriate care for the patient). If religion helps the client make sense of or find peace with a difficult situation, more power to them... I'm not about to intrude on that. It's not about me, and frankly, none of us has all the answers anyway. Myself included.

(As much as I might sometimes like to think otherwise. 😉)
 
Chinola said:
I never experienced the level of religion I experience down here when I lived in New Jersey. But I do have to say compared to countries like those in Latin America, Americans don't even begin to describe the super religious.
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... that's what I was thinking. America is super-religious compared to, perhaps, a lot of European or other first-world countries.

But when I was in Brazil it was far more noticeable!! (And somewhat more confusing because of the way they tended to blend religions.)
 
Thanks for the interesting article, Allie. It's unbelievable the prejudice against atheists not to mention the fear-mongering in anticipation of a violent backlash from christians over peaceful messages on a bus!

Let-It-Snow-I agree that this thread has made it very comfortable for atheists to express our feelings...much more so than in the real world for me. I guess it's because no one knows who we are here.

I know I read somewhere some statistic recently (which exact numbers I do not recall) that the U.S. has a much lower percentage of atheists than any of the European countries. However, I don't know how it compares to Australia. My own experience having lived in several places in the U.S. tells me that some areas are more religious than others.
 
sunshinevet said:
See, as an athiest I would have no problem in agreeing with this (AKA, that Fluffy is in a better place).
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I view it in much the same way you do... no longer suffering= better place, regardless of where said place happens to be. Either way, as an atheist, I'd have no problem agreeing with a grieving client even if they did press the afterlife point. It may not be entirely truthful, but I think the alternative would be unhelpful and unkind. It doesn't hurt me to keep my mouth shut, but it may well hurt the client if I don't, you know? S/he is undoubtedly seeking reassurance, not a theological debate.

LetItSnow said:
Basically, nobody likes thoughtless arrogance, regardless of which side it's on.
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👍
 
Is bringing religion into everything an American thing?
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Yah. Just look at the ban on gay marriage. That arises purely from religion ('marriage' is evidently their word 🙄) which has people dictating how others can lead their own lives. That's not to say that their aren't atheists against it, but the major argument against it I've seen is citing the bible.

but the Christians have been challenged in a much bolder manner. I don't think anyone on either side has been offensive or unreasonable (which rocks!), but it's clear that nobody's taken any of the atheists as offensive.
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Online and RL are quite different in my experience. In undergrad I lost a lot of 'friends' because of my (de)conversion to atheism. I've stopped talking about it except to very close people (and online) because at times it seems that my very existence offends people since I'm flat-out rejecting what they hold so dear.
 
Yes, HopefulAg, it's that being closeted thing that's so hard. You don't want to offend people, so you keep your mouth shut. Then people may assume that you agree with their faith when you don't. It's a tough thing at times, and online it's easier for sure. I feel as you do about it.
 
HopefulAg said:
Online and RL are quite different in my experience.
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True 'nuff! And I obviously would never say "Pshaw, your experience doesn't count!" But I also know that, for instance, here at work it's the Christians who are dismissively laughed at, not the atheists. Just while I was reading this thread - I kid you not - a comment floated over from another cube: "Well, I guess we have to believe in tooth fairies now, too."

(It has to do with our new company "core values," one of which is faith. It doesn't mean religious faith, but it's an outstandingly poor choice of words given the connotation.)

But then, I'm in a highly technical arena, which maybe has a higher share of non-believers? I don't know.

I tend to think there are asshats on both sides of the playing field.

Regarding gay marriage .... please ..... don't get me started. The older I get the better I generally do at keeping my lid on, but ... I live in Minnesota, where we'll be the next state to vote on a constitutional amendment regarding marriage. I can't even *begin* to express my disappointment and frustration that this is even an issue. And I'm not gay - I can't imagine how much worse it would feel to be gay and have this issue be a day to day reality.

Sometimes people really suck, don't they? 🙂
 
We had two lectures this year on euthanasia and client communications and one thing that was stressed up down left and right to us is to be senstitive but to use the hard words (fluffy is dead now) verses some of the more "sensitive sayings" (fluffy has been put to sleep, fluffy is in a better place etc.). Story -- our lecturer once told a client that her animal had been put to sleep and the lady took her dog home. She called a week later to see how her client was doing ... to learn that fluffy was on her couch. She was wondering how much longer she would "just be sleeping for." I realize that many people wonder how stupid that client must have been ... but they're out there and you don't want to leave your client wondering "does that mean my dog is really dead now ... or is he just sedated and he'll die a little later ... "

They were some awesome lectures adn I wish our curriculum spent some more time on it in all actuality.
 
JumpHigherLivie said:
We had two lectures this year on euthanasia and client communications and one thing that was stressed up down left and right to us is to be senstitive but to use the hard words (fluffy is dead now) verses some of the more "sensitive sayings" (fluffy has been put to sleep, fluffy is in a better place etc.). Story -- our lecturer once told a client that her animal had been put to sleep and the lady took her dog home. She called a week later to see how her client was doing ... to learn that fluffy was on her couch. She was wondering how much longer she would "just be sleeping for." I realize that many people wonder how stupid that client must have been ... but they're out there and you don't want to leave your client wondering "does that mean my dog is really dead now ... or is he just sedated and he'll die a little later ... "

They were some awesome lectures adn I wish our curriculum spent some more time on it in all actuality.
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I run into this problem a lot from the other side of the desk - clients who don't know the term "put to sleep" and obviously don't want to say "kill" and beat around the bush so much it takes me a minute or two to figure out what they want...
 
JumpHigherLivie said:
We had two lectures this year on euthanasia and client communications...

They were some awesome lectures adn I wish our curriculum spent some more time on it in all actuality.
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You say that now, but over half of our ethics course first semester was client communication and the euthanasia issues. By the time we finished the entire class was ready to euthanize ourselves just to stop circling the same issue over and over again. It is important, but one or two lectures would have been enough.
 
katryn said:
You say that now, but over half of our ethics course first semester was client communication and the euthanasia issues. By the time we finished the entire class was ready to euthanize ourselves just to stop circling the same issue over and over again. It is important, but one or two lectures would have been enough.
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Well, don't forget that there was that awful diversity lecture. Nothing says diversity like trying to tell people how to think (because none of us could possibly know anything about being a minority....).
 
LetItSnow said:
I think the same basic mechanisms are at work both directions. When a Christian gets proud and obnoxious about their faith, it's offensive. When an atheist gets haughty and dismissive about their conclusions about God, it's also offensive. Basically, nobody likes thoughtless arrogance, regardless of which side it's on.
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I have to agree with Snow on this issue. I don't think atheist are any more discriminated against than any other group. Just when you are in the group being discriminated does it feel like your side is getting the harsher treatment.

That article is interesting but I constantly wonder why people have to "go public" with their views. Sure the atheist could put up posters for a "god free life style" and feel like they may feel they won a battle while offending christians, the atheist would be just offended if christians put up a poster saying "God filled life-style, more popular then god free" I don't see the reason for petty quarrels.

Sure it is hard sometimes being having no religion, every time someone says they will pray for me or to think what the bible would have me do (parents are christian) and flinch a little, but we do live in America, a diverse society.
 
sunshinevet said:
Certainly I don't believe all Americans are "God fearing" people, but there is a bit of a belief over here that your country is more so than Australia. 🙂
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Aussies don't think about religion because they are too drunk to really think about anything.





lol kidding. i love it here <3 !!!!
 
There are many issues that can be hard about this subject. The hardest part for me to deal with was being one of two jews in our class (not that I am really a practicing jew, either). There is the Christian Veterinary Fellowship, which is a school supported, SCAVMA club. But there are no other religious clubs in vet school. And in TN, most people expected you to be Christian.

It can be hard to be tolerant when your views are constantly questioned by professors, classmates, and admin.
 
dyachei said:
There are many issues that can be hard about this subject. The hardest part for me to deal with was being one of two jews in our class (not that I am really a practicing jew, either). There is the Christian Veterinary Fellowship, which is a school supported, SCAVMA club. But there are no other religious clubs in vet school. And in TN, most people expected you to be Christian.

It can be hard to be tolerant when your views are constantly questioned by professors, classmates, and admin.
Click to expand...

Yay for being Jewish!! I love me some matzoh balls 😉

*goes back into corner because she has nothing constructive to add to this discussion other than the fact that she's Jewish*
 
NStarz said:
Yay for being Jewish!! I love me some matzoh balls 😉

*goes back into corner because she has nothing constructive to add to this discussion other than the fact that she's Jewish*
Click to expand...

And I'll chime in as the third! (If you guys didn't figure it out from the way I wrote G-d in the post above 😉)
 
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