The religious premed (experience)?

[ngkats]

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Alright. So. Let's educate ourselves a bit with an eclectic mix of relevant authors and the restart this thread later.

For those who are atheist or agnostic (and it seems like the former is more popular here): reading some C.S. Lewis, Soren Kierkegaard, Thomas Merton, may be enlightening.

Those religiously minded: David Hume, Albert Camus, and if you must (and that's a big 'if') Richard Dawkins.


At the root of what I'm proposing is that we take time to actually understand the debate. We should read those who can speak eloquently, rationally, and fruitfully about the existence or nonexistence of God.

Give some of the academicians some credit and assume that this debate as a whole has merit. Dismissing one side or another a priori just makes you look silly.

 

[202781]

Sankonbest and CyclinM...please stop posting on this thread.

The purpose of this thread for religious pre-meds to comment on how their religion has/will play a role in their professional lives as doctors. Obviously, neither one of you have anything to add to this discussion because you think religion is a joke. Why are you talking on this thread when neither of you is religious? How does this specific thread pertain to you? One of you said in a previous post that you have nothing against religion but hate it when someone tries to shove it down your throat. Then why are you both trying to shove your anti-religion comments down ours? Many of the comments you two are making are extremely offensive to those that have a strong faith so I am asking you to please stop.

GROW UP!

Whenever a person says something critical of religion, religious people usually get offended. I do not get offended when others are critical of my lack of religion (which has happened on this thread multiple times). I am NOT telling you to stop being religious...just commenting on how religion affects others who are not the same religion or no religion. If people discuss the merits of their religion I have a right to discuss why it is BS and hurtful to others (or has the potential to do so). Please don't think that I hate religious people or have some sort of chip on my shoulder, I do not. I just think that we should not treat religion the same way we do science and we should be tolerant of ALL people of ALL faiths.

 

[boggvir]

I'm not religious, have no use for religion, and don't have any respect for religion. I get why people are religious but can't fathom how they'd have their head that far up their ass especially when it concerns science. To each their own though, and if you want to believe in nonsense, well it's a free country and you go right ahead.

And obviously, religion has no role in my decision to go into medicine.

 

[boggvir]

For everyone who doesnt believe:

God is not going to make it blatantly obvious that he exists. People need to show their faith when there are others who try to go against it.

Well that's a pretty ****ty way of operating for someone who supposedly loves us. Although...it would make sense if he was a douchebag and just got his rocks off watching us squirm.


Which, considering the history of religion, is not an unsupported hypothesis.

 

[MDman87]

Well that's a pretty ****ty way of operating for someone who supposedly loves us. Although...it would make sense if he was a douchebag and just got his rocks off watching us squirm.


Which, considering the history of religion, is not an unsupported hypothesis.

"People need to show their faith when there are others who try to go against it." This, I think, qualifies as one of those times. Your statements are absurd and very offensive. Listen, the title of the thread is "The Religious Pre-med (Experience)." Hence, if you are not religious - or, more specifically, if you like picking fights with those who are religious - this is not the thread for you. If you'd like to begin a thread entitled "The Non-Religious Pre-med (Experience)," by all means. . . and I promise not to visit that thread to insult you and your beliefs. I'd appreciate if you'd do the same

 

[boggvir]

Only responding to a explanation provided specifically for non-believers which I found inane. If that explanation [made to us as a group] was not up for criticism, it should not have been made.

 

[virusgirl]

GROW UP!

Whenever a person says something critical of religion, religious people usually get offended. I do not get offended when others are critical of my lack of religion (which has happened on this thread multiple times). I am NOT telling you to stop being religious...just commenting on how religion affects others who are not the same religion or no religion. If people discuss the merits of their religion I have a right to discuss why it is BS and hurtful to others (or has the potential to do so). Please don't think that I hate religious people or have some sort of chip on my shoulder, I do not. I just think that we should not treat religion the same way we do science and we should be tolerant of ALL people of ALL faiths.

I don't think people are talking about the "merits of their religion" in any sort of proselytizing way, they are simply responding to the specific question posed in the OP. If someone on the subway began telling me why Christiantiy was important to them, I might be put off, but a question was raised in the OP and some people have chosen to answer it. This is not an attack, or an attempt to convert you, or anything like that -- I'm not sure why you're perceiving this.

I don't think anyone here is criticizing your lack of religion, but rather your apparent lack of respect for those of us who do practice. You say "we should be tolerant of ALL people of ALL faiths," yet you have used the words "childish" and "dumb" (among others) to describe people who are religious, and you do so in a general manner rather than responding to specific comments. You've even made blanket statements about how you'd be scared to have a religious person treat you medically. I happen to hold personal beliefs that are not the same as yours, but I haven't called you "dumb," and I see no reason why you should do so to me, or anyone else on this thread. If you really are as tolerant as you claim to be, then please stop insulting us. Just to be perfectly clear, I am not criticizing your religious beliefs (or lack thereof) -- I'm just asking you to be civil.

 

[Quix]

This seems to be an appropriate point to remind everyone to keep things civil.

 

[202781]

I don't think people are talking about the "merits of their religion" in any sort of proselytizing way, they are simply responding to the specific question posed in the OP. If someone on the subway began telling me why Christiantiy was important to them, I might be put off, but a question was raised in the OP and some people have chosen to answer it. This is not an attack, or an attempt to convert you, or anything like that -- I'm not sure why you're perceiving this.

I don't think anyone here is criticizing your lack of religion, but rather your apparent lack of respect for those of us who do practice. You say "we should be tolerant of ALL people of ALL faiths," yet you have used the words "childish" and "dumb" (among others) to describe people who are religious, and you do so in a general manner rather than responding to specific comments. You've even made blanket statements about how you'd be scared to have a religious person treat you medically. I happen to hold personal beliefs that are not the same as yours, but I haven't called you "dumb," and I see no reason why you should do so to me, or anyone else on this thread. If you really are as tolerant as you claim to be, then please stop insulting us. Just to be perfectly clear, I am not criticizing your religious beliefs (or lack thereof) -- I'm just asking you to be civil.

Wow...you totally need to re-read what I have posted. I am NOT scared to have a religious person treat me...only one that believes something like children getting cancer is a message from god and we should not be sad about losng them because they will be going to a better place.

Also in one of my posts I explicitly said that I do not want to say that religious people are dumb. You should really get your facts right (But I know facts probably are not your forte.

 

[rjf]

GROW UP!

Whenever a person says something critical of religion, religious people usually get offended. I do not get offended when others are critical of my lack of religion (which has happened on this thread multiple times). I am NOT telling you to stop being religious...just commenting on how religion affects others who are not the same religion or no religion. If people discuss the merits of their religion I have a right to discuss why it is BS and hurtful to others (or has the potential to do so). Please don't think that I hate religious people or have some sort of chip on my shoulder, I do not. I just think that we should not treat religion the same way we do science and we should be tolerant of ALL people of ALL faiths.

Grow up? I didn't realize I was being childish. In fact, I thought I was being very respectful. I have not read this entire thread so I do not know if people have been critical of your stance towards religion...I have nothing against you not being religious. To each his own. Regardless, how can you possible say "Please don't think that I hate religious people or have some sort of chip on my shoulder, I do not?" Are you kidding me?! Going off your comments throughout this thread, the one thing that is apparent is how stupid you think religious people are. Maybe you don't "hate" them but you definitely think you are wiser than them. And what is this crap about being "tolerant of all people and all faiths?" You sir are definitely NOT tolerant of all people and all faiths. If you were, you would have never posted on this thread; a thread that was originally meant for those with religious beliefs. You=no religious beliefs. Therefore, keep your opinions to yourself and stop posting on a thread that does not concern you. Your sole purpose for writing on here was to bash others for their beliefs and try to get a rise out of us "loons"...all I did was ask you to stop.

 

[utahjazz]

Others have their beliefs, and they are entitled to them, but if you start attacking me for having my beliefs... well, you need to check up on the freedom of religion that is listed in the First Amendment...

Actually, you are the one who needs to read the First Amendment... It says the opposite of what you think it does. People can criticize your religious beliefs all they want, but the government cannot prohibit the free exercise of your religious beliefs... and I don't think any poster here is the government trying to deprive you of your religious beliefs & practices.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

 

[202781]

I just got done watching "Religulous" with Bill Maher, and I must admit, I haven't laughed that much in a while. Even though his reasoning is questionable at times, his methods are hardly convincing (to true believers), and the whole movie does have the air of propaganda, there are some nuggets of truth that made me think about religion.

The nerd I am, I checked SDN for any new threads, and began to wonder how religion plays a role in the premed/application period. For me, religion played no role in this period, but I know of people who pray for acceptances.

So here is my question: how does/did religion play a role in your premed life and the application process? Any anecdotes would be welcome, too. I.e. do you pray for interviews, do you thank (a) god for acceptances you receive, do you turn to jesus for help when things aren't going well in Biochemistry? I just want to get a feel for how other people involve their religious beliefs in this part of their life. Do you plan to keep religion separate from your profession? Does an aspiring doctor have to be, at least somewhat, tolerant of other religious beliefs?

Any thoughts, experiences, insights, anecdotes would be much appreciated.

This was the original question if you have not read it

Grow up? I didn't realize I was being childish. In fact, I thought I was being very respectful. I have not read this entire thread so I do not know if people have been critical of your stance towards religion...I have nothing against you not being religious. To each his own. Regardless, how can you possible say "Please don't think that I hate religious people or have some sort of chip on my shoulder, I do not?" Are you kidding me?! Going off your comments throughout this thread, the one thing that is apparent is how stupid you think religious people are. Maybe you don't "hate" them but you definitely think you are wiser than them. And what is this crap about being "tolerant of all people and all faiths?" You sir are definitely NOT tolerant of all people and all faiths. If you were, you would have never posted on this thread; a thread that was originally meant for those with religious beliefs. You=no religious beliefs. Therefore, keep your opinions to yourself and stop posting on a thread that does not concern you. Your sole purpose for writing on here was to bash others for their beliefs and try to get a rise out of us "loons"...all I did was ask you to stop.

Read the original question before you post please

Whatever. I am tolerant of ALL peoples faiths. I have had both Muslim and Christian Girlfriends as well as a best friend who is Christian. I have gone to church with my catholic friends all the time. My family is comprised of Mormons and Catholics and I love them all and don't have anything against them for being religious. So don't tell me that I am not tolerant of religion. I am speaking out how religion will not affect my decision to go into medicine or when I practice medicine. I am sorry that you feel offended whenever people are critical of religion.


UGGGHHHH.

 

[ngkats]

It appears my previous post did nothing to calm this thread down...

Well, it was just a thought.

 

[mcgyver]

lol... this thread is great... we should just all just calm down. we know we're all likely gonna be great doctors, religious or not. and we're all much more agreeable when there's no anonymity and a large audience. debating is fun. but making friends beats it hands-down.

It appears my previous post did nothing to calm this thread down...

Well, it was just a thought.

 

[202781]

lol... this thread is great... we should just all just calm down. we know we're all likely gonna be great doctors, religious or not. and we're all much more agreeable when there's no anonymity and a large audience. debating is fun. but making friends beats it hands-down.

I agree with Mcgyver I am going to retire from this thread.

Don't all clap at once

 

[THX]

Personally, I have to qualms with religion per see - because while it is not my cup of tea, if others find comfort in praying and attending church then good for them.. how can anyone criticize something that makes people genuinely happy?

That said, religion should be a very private affair. Religion gets a bad name because certain movements/individuals try to impose their beliefs on others (ie. some evangelicals). It's not like being religious makes anyone a better (or worse) person - it just makes you different. It also irks me that some attempt to blur the line between church and state. I also don't understand the whole homosexual thing, what happened to tolerance?

Anyways, I believe in live and let live. I wish everyone did.

 

[armybound]

This thread has unfortunately outlived its usefulness.