I hope general consensus does not dictate that religious people cannot empathize or sympathize with others. If anything, I have witnessed that faith-minded folk have all the more reason to care more for other's welfare. If religion is a large part of someone's life, I see no problem discussing it in a personal statement. If religious is indeed as socially taboo as some posts make it seem, then perhaps it is best to stick to less "controversial" topics in a personal statement.
You speak truth. Good luck to you as well!
Sure, three of those schools were founded on Jesuit principles--education and service. However, I am not looking to self-select myself to only attending a "religious" institution. I went a non-religious, or secular if you will, institution for undergrad and loved every moment of it.
I am not trying to attend a necessarily top tier medical school but instead the school with the greatest fit for myself. This is not necessarily a religious environment. Because someone adheres to tenets of a religion does not mean they must isolate themselves to interacting and being part of locations relating only to their respective religion. Currently, I am looking into attending a few top 20 institutions on my mind, but that is a story for a different thread.
Do not assume I am a closed-minded religious fanatic. I enjoy broadening my viewpoints on life and welcome all theories to my door. I enjoy reading all sorts of philosophies, especially ones against what I believe. If you live under a rock, all you will see is black. I like color.
It seems as if many people, religious or nonreligious, have no problems (at least displayed outwardly) with other's religions, at least in the U.S. However, the Abrahimic religions all acknowledge that there is a God who is capable of infinite works. Thus, if talking about one's faith "is probably fine" to you as you say, this should not preclude hearing about God's works, including out-in-the-daylight miracles. If it does, then you are not as tolerant of other's faiths as you believe.
Great advice. Thank-you. No worries, I am not going to medical school based singularly off an experience.
I am not looking to proselytize through these posts. I did not share what occurred because it is irrelevant to the point of this thread. It would add another dementia to the thread, and I feel the point of my post would be forgotten. Again, as I mentioned earlier, the miracle is trivial compared to the grand scheme of things. I wanted to gain perspective of what the average reader would believe if they read essays based of religious experiences as a whole.
I understand your views and believe you misunderstand God's love. First, in my case, I had no faith before my conversion. So God does not only perform his works on those who have faith. God reveals himself "from time to time" through obvious, outward miracles, as you say, for the purpose that those who witness these wonders, or even just the person himself, will turn back to him. However, God works in our lives everyday in minute fashions we will likely never fully comprehend. Why God created us in the first place or what God's intentions are, I know not. Second, why he does not cure everyone at once, I am not sure of either. He works through mysterious ways. Remember that we are all God's chosen. Third, God does not punish those who do not know of his existence. Lastly, remember that suffering is not always a bad thing (no, I am not condoning the conditions of the poor, nor am I saying people should be in perpetual sufferance), and that it is an important part of life and maturation. God leaves epidemics, people uncured, famines, etc. for reasons we will never fully understand on Earth. I could go more in depth, but that is not the purpose of this thread. And no worries, I am sure my PS will answer "Why Medicine". Thanks for your reply.
I reiterate that the "miracle experience" does not have any bearing on my goals as a physician. I am a strong believer in the power of modern healthcare, and I believe in divine providence as well. Physicians should always work towards caring for and maximizing the best interest of their patients. Believing in God, or even his miracles, does not amount to providing inadequate care to someone because you believe God will take care of them. I hope to perform as highly as possible as a physician all the while knowing God is guiding my hands.
Due to it being such a highly controversial topic, I will likely be vague about the subject for the sake of admissions. It is unfortunate.
I believe I have gotten what I need. Thanks everyone again for the replies!