My pastor violated HIPAA and accessed my medical records, which had been falsified. He ordered me to forgive the doctor who caused this--she destroyed my life (I lost my job, my credibility, reputation...you name it, I lost it). I was kicked out of my church, my bible study that was independent of my church and literally lost all my friends. Every "Christian" I know criticizes me because I won't forgive and "let it go" when THEY know what is in my medical record I do not. I claim that as Christians they are commanded to obey the law (Romans 13:1-5). They continue to criticize me about EVERYTHING. I am still fighting to press charges against my pastor for violating me and I have been ostracized. Should my pastor be prosecuted?
2006-07-23 18:07:33 · 17 answers · asked by lilmissj 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion or not, He broke a law, yes he should be prosecuted.
2006-07-23 18:12:21 · answer #1 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're right. You are going to hell according to the Christian religion. Pressing charges against ANYONE is NOT a Christian act.
What happened to turning the other cheek?
According to the Bible, a Christian forgives all crime, no matter how horrible and a Christian will allow people to do anything.
You are not a Christian according to the doctrine of any Christian Church that I've encountered. That doesn't mean you're doing the wrong thing. Actually, I applaud you. Just don't try to hide behind a religion when you aren't doing something that the Bible says you should be doing.
I know someone who was sexually abused as a child. In pressing charges against the person, they aren't being a good Christian either. Does that make stopping the person wrong?
Don't believe everything in the Bible. It will make your head explode from the contradictions.
You can have a personal relationship with God and believe that Jesus lived without having to bow down to the oppressive and pagan-influenced hodgepodge that we now call Christianity.
The members of your church aren't good Christians either though, remember Matthew 7:1?
It sounds to me as though your congregation is evil and is going to Hell. The best thing you can do is leave them and go find some real friends who don't use their religion as their own personal battering ram to push their own issues and agendas, ignoring those parts of the Bible that don't help them in this quest. It's utterly hypocritical and they're all going to hell according to the Bible. Then again, the same could be said to be true of anyone who tries to show people how holy they are by praying in public. See Matthew 6:5-6.
The people who you have lost aren't friends and never were. My heart really goes out to you.
As far as the law goes, your pastor violated the law and it sounds as though this doctor did as well. Prosecuting the pastor is the right thing to do in my opinion - if he isn't prosecuted, he is likely to believe that his behaviour is acceptable. It wouldn't surprise me if he's done worse things than that. I wonder what his reasons were in accessing your medical records in the first place.
2006-07-23 18:28:51 · answer #2 · answered by Snippet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Pastor CAN NOT get your medical records without YOUR WRITTEN CONSENT. But your pastor cant be sued unless he obtained your private medical records illegally.
If he obtained them without your consent - and he did not steal them from your doctor - THEN - its not your pastor who broker the law but your doctor's office.
Somehow your claims just do not add up. You are really angry about something else and this sounds like an excuse to get back at your pastor for some other reason.
The Pastor's job also includes keeping harmony in the church. If they ousted you - it had to be for a reason he felt you threatened the harmony of the Church (right or wrong) and it is his call.
I'm not calling you a liar - I am just saying, something just don't add up.
Save yourself and the church problems, let it go and go to some other Church. The Apostle Paul would agree with that logic.
2006-07-23 18:21:21 · answer #3 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read 1 Cor. 6 and see what God has to say...
6 When you have something against another Christian, why do you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter, instead of taking it to other Christians to decide who is right? 2 Don’t you know that someday we Christians are going to judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide these little things among yourselves? 3 Don’t you realize that we Christians will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disagreements here on earth. 4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why do you go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments? 6 But instead, one Christian* sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
7 To have such lawsuits at all is a real defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? 8 But instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your own Christian brothers and sisters.*
2006-07-23 18:17:52 · answer #4 · answered by chris b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what?
Are you on the level?
Look, if someone(your Doctor, Pastor) violated the privacy of your medical Info., you have legal recourse.
But, I would be careful about suing a Doctor. They are as much an "Old boy System" as any in the 'good 'ol south". You may find it difficult if not impossible to secure any medical treatment after the lawsuit. But the pastor( and perhaps any others who ostracized you) might all be liable in a civil court. You should re post this Q in the legal Q's.
2006-07-23 18:10:13 · answer #5 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would let it go and move on. Look for another job and another church. I don't know the details of why your pastor sought your doctor out except maybe to try and help you. It sounds like he was just trying to get to the bottom of things.
Let it go. You are only prolonging the pain for you. How were your medical records falsified? It sounds like the case should be against your doctor and not your pastor.
2006-07-23 18:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by frankyglitz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a Doctor is binded under law to not give out ANY of your medical information so your DR is breaking code and you can go to the authorities for him, go to the medical board and the police. Your pastor has NO RIGHTS to your medical history so who knows how he got them...
This is a severe breech in privacy and if I were you I would be doing everything I could to make sure your DR was punished and your pastor too!
2006-07-23 18:12:22 · answer #7 · answered by Jade H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excuse my ignorance. What is HIPAA. Talk to a lawyer. This is a legal problem beyond the scope of the subject matter here.
You can take your pastor to the next rung on the hiearchy ladder to plead your case in the church.
2006-07-23 18:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a lawyer, and I think you should consult one, but this layman's opinion is that you probably can't get the pastor personally, but you might have a shot at the church organization, and the Doctor sounds to be clearly at fault. Good luck and the Goddess be with you. Have you considered the ACLU?
2006-07-23 18:17:54 · answer #9 · answered by rich k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he broke the law then yes. There is a separation of church and state in this country to prevent religious authorities from abusing power. As for being pressured to forgive you can't just give into their mass opinion. You need to believe that you can forgive this doctor personally, but still go after him financially. As long as you don't hate him for what he's done and aren't persecuting him in spite then your fine.
2006-07-23 18:14:37 · answer #10 · answered by Travis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your story sounds more like a movie , but as Christians we are supposed to forgive . Put it behind you and continue on your quest and find Jesus . He will remove all of your burdens and make you light . It also sounds like you are being misled by false doctrine . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved . John 14:6 He will forgive you of all your sins . Also pray without ceasing . 1st Thessalonians 5:17
2006-07-23 18:17:47 · answer #11 · answered by robinhoodcb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋