What if the doctor is an atheist, and absolutely says that he doesn't believe in god, and he wouldn't want help from a god even if they were around?
If you still believe that god is working through him, then doesn't that mean god is taking away the doctor's freedom of choice since he flat out said that he wants no help from god?
Or is it just a metaphor or poetic license to say that god was working through the doctor? If so, then why say it if it means nothing?
Oh, and this scenario is assuming that the patient, or anyone the patient knows, is NOT praying what-so-ever.
2007-05-31 10:15:40 · 8 answers · asked by Eldritch 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's always a little frustrating when another atheist looks at my questions and assumes I believe the religious crap that I'm trying to get others to think about. Please, take 3 extra seconds to give some thought as to what I'm trying to convey here.
2007-05-31 10:24:10 · update #1
You didn't answer the question harryd... doesn't this mean that god is taking away the doctor's free will?
You say god gave us everything, which includes our minds. If he's willing to hijack a doctor's talent, then why not just go a step further and hijack our minds and keep us from sinning?
2007-05-31 10:26:12 · update #2
hmmmm...wow i was going to say yes cuz God's hand is in everything but i guess you have a point...you sure make me think though...
2007-05-31 10:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by forget_me_not 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Whether an atheist doctor believes it or not, or likes the idea or not, God works through them. Truth is not relative, it just is. It's not metaphor or poetic license.
No this is not taking away the doctor's freedom of choice. The doctor still chose his own profession in a secular sense. By virtue of our existence we give God the permission to use us how He will in His secular left-hand kingdom. He created us. He has that right.
BTW, God doesn't NEED our prayer to work. He works period. Prayer is designed for the person who prays, not for God.
If you really want to sort this out go to www.lcms.org >Belief & Practice >Lutheran Confessions or Doctrine > Free Will or search for Free Will. If you're just asking the question to be annoying than do everyone a favor--zip it.
2007-05-31 10:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by Sakurachan 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Obeying The Doctor — G-d’s Conduit For Healing
Torah directive which informs us that “Permission was granted a healer to heal,”meaning that [not only does Torah grant permission, but] it also empowers the healer to succeed in his healing.
In fact, the doctor serves merely as a channel through which we receive the power and additional strength to be able to “maintain a healthy and robust body — an integral part of Divine service”— as explained by the Rambam in Hilchos Deos beginning of ch. 4, and in many chassidic discourses.
2007-05-31 10:20:24 · answer #3 · answered by Furibundus 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The bible says that God hardened Pharaohs heart not to let the Israelites go until after the last plague had taken place so...you tell me what God is or is not capable of.
2007-05-31 10:30:20 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The doctor's belief or wishes don't enter into it. God uses whomever He wishes to use, for whatever purpose he wishes. The doctor's talents come from God, not from the doctor himself. If the doctor doesn't believe that, that's his problem, not God's. God will use him anyway, if He wishes.
2007-05-31 10:22:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That quite is conundrum. Ofcourse, your example is just one of many logical paradoxes with the concept of god. Too bad logic doesnt have anything to do with it, most of the time for religious people its just an emotional attachment.
2007-05-31 10:22:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. God is just a superstition. He doesn't exist.
Doctor's work helps people because scientists have learned a lot about how bodies work. Give real people and their hard work the credit and stop attributing it to fables.
2007-05-31 10:19:25 · answer #7 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no
2007-05-31 10:18:23 · answer #8 · answered by snowwarriorangel 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋