Example of Christian nastiness?

Question

Okay. I went to the ER with a burn on my hand recently. At reception, there was a kind of chubby blonde nurse sitting there. She was very pleasant and sympathetic to me while I explained my burn. I noticed she had all kinds of angel paraphenalia in the little office, a WWJD sign, an angel pin on her uniform, and a Jesus fish on the computer. She starts asking me the usual questions, name, address, insurance, etc, then comes to religion. I said, "None." I swear, she dropped the pen and looked at me. "What?" "I said none, I'm an atheist." She immediately dropped all pretense at friendliness, became very short with me, and left me to sit there in pain while people who came in after me with lesser problems were sent right in. I did complain to the administrator, but he basically said "Sorry, but you scared her, I expect." Like I'm a demon or something! Is this fair? And has anything like this happened to any of you?

Tami - what earlier question? I haven't
asked a question in a long time, I don't think. The admin told me they ask in case something happpens so they can get you a priest, rabbi, whatever. They didn't have info on me because I have never been to that hospital before.

I told her I'm an atheist becuase it's the truth. Why lie about that?

Earl, I'm not a troll. Check my q and a if you like.

Answer 1

Not like that, no...

Should I be nervous that she got a degree in science and remained that subjective in her job? I think so...

I did have this experience the other day at work. I'm a waitress at an expensive place. This millionaire and his family came in. His daughter, a young woman in college, began to talk of the atheists she had met at school. They just had this conversation loud and proud about all these total misconceptions on what we are and what we are like... the usual stuff like the myths I posted earlier...

And it made me feel as though THIS must be what it was like to be black in this country fifty years ago, or to be gay even in the present day... it was a horrible feeling. As if I am not human, just a specimen of some kind. I may have read too much into it... It just made me really sad.

Answer 2

As a nurse I can tell you that ER nurse is guilty of discrimination. First of all, unless you were actually being admitted to the hospital as an inpatient, she had no right to ask you that in the first place. Secondly, even if she had to ask, she was WAY out of line in the way she reacted. On the other hand, I've heard Christians say "atheist" with the same tone of voice in which they might say "child molester," so her overreaction seems pretty typical.
My advice: Write up an exact account of the incident, and submit it to the administrator of the hospital, the director of the Emergency Room, and the state or provincial board of nursing. At the very least, she should lose her license for a period of time if not permanently. Discrimination isn't a joke; if she were an atheist and discriminated against religious folks, the same laws would apply.

Answer 3

Ask the wife of a military man by the name of Patrick Stewart. He's a Wiccan, still waiting for a tomb stone from the VA who refuses to recognize his religion as Wiccan. A decorated soldier, killed in Iraq, with Wiccan as the religion on his dog tags. It's been over a year.

A friend of mine who is a high priestess had difficulties when a faith-based program was helping the disadvantaged with things such as painting their houses. When the people found she was Wiccan, they didn't want to help. (She's handicapped and quite ill and living on a fixed income) She didn't preach, but was informed that she was deceived and troubled by demons.

I've had Christians who I thought were friends, but when the topic came to religion, and I told them I was a Pagan, suddenly they won't talk to me anymore, or if they do, it's only surface talk and nothing of consequence.

So.... I guess so. Yeah.

Answer 4

If this is true then No this isn't fair and there is probably more you could have done to make sure she was reprmanded for this. I'm a Christian and it's things like that, that give us a bad name. I'm sorry she did this to you. That isn't the Christian thing of her to do. God see's this and knows this. So with her belief she should be worried about how she treats people! I'm not trying to offend you with the God stuff, but I know as a Christian, she definately isn't living right with what she believes.

Answer 5

She's probably not a Christian, judging by all the angel paraphenalia. The description of angels in the bible bears no resemblence to all the figurines, etc.

But maybe you were a little shocking. Just a little?

P.S. what's all the lawyer talk? Has society progressed to the point we sue over every insult, even if it wasn't meant as an insult?

Hospitals ask religion to know whether to ask if you want a rabbi, Christian minister, immam or whatever to visit if you get really sick.

Answer 6

That's horrible! I agree with some above, get a lawyer. I once wrote down Atheist under religion when I was filling out paperwork at a new gyno's office. The nurse that was helping me asked someone else to switch with me as soon as she read that, as if Atheist meant Death or something. But I'm sorry your experience wasn't as "subtle" as that.

Answer 7

the word many hear and attest to being that of God's is often times the words of men who by nature are selective in their beliefs subject to their personal agendas. History is a testament to religions and their flawed leaders. God meanwhile is simple, direct, clear and unwavering. As for pratitioners of faith? Be they christian, moslem, jewish, Buddhist, or whatever...one need only remeber, they all think they are the true beleif..least of all they really hope they are...because if they are not, then they have been praying to the wrong god...God sees all and knows all...and a good tree bears good fruit...the truth is in the pudding...

Answer 8

i knew a medievalist once...the rennisance reinactors.

he was fencing and his opponets blunted rapier broke. and he ended up accidently stabbed hard through the shoulder. right under the collar bone and out the back above the shoulder blade.

he sat in a waiting room for 2 hours before someone came to see him.. and watched as they tool minor burn victems and minor cut and scratch wonds in. when he went up to complain.
the admin told him that they had thought that, because of his period clothing that it was a joke and did nt take it seriously.

the sword was still sticking through him.


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i have been in the emergency room several times but never had a religious problem. mainly because when they ask religion i just say "Other" and leave it at that.

Answer 9

There are a few religions that have certain, rules on medical care. I don't see why she should be asking this. Did you go to a Christan Hospital? If not then sue. You where treated unfairly. That has never happened to me. I never was asked my religion at the ER.

Answer 10

You should report this further. You scared her is not an answer!
And yes, I have had the similar experiences. Usually the more they put out the Jesus fish and WWJD crap, the nastier they are to folks that realize that religion stops a thinking mind.