Today at work, I overheard two co-workers talking. (I wasn't trying to eaves drop and they were very much aware of my presence.) "Glenna" is an elderly lady who works there, while "Susan" is in her late twenties. Glenna has been very sick lately - she's recovering from back surgery and has now taken a terrible cold. Susan asked her today if Glenna would be in church on sunday. Glenna said she wanted to go, but she feels so terrible, she's not sure if she'll feel up to it. Susan, in her ever hateful manner, then said, "Well, maybe that's why you're so sick. Maybe God's trying to tell you something. You're sick because you're not in church."
Doesn't this seem contradictory? If God wanted her in church, wouldn't he help her to recover quicker? And, instead of being accusing, shouldn't Susan have offered to pray for Glenna? I thought it was terribly rude of Susan to be this way. What do you think?
2007-06-15 10:47:14 · 60 answers · asked by witch_chick_2003 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And just so you all know, I was not in any way trying to accuse all Christians of being this way. I just wanted to see what you all thought and if I had missed something....
2007-06-15 11:05:46 · update #1
thats horrible.
youre afflicted with bad health because your faith in god is lacking?
you should have chimed in and told her that that was a horrible thing to say. well....i would have.
2007-06-15 10:49:54 · answer #1 · answered by johnny.zondo 6 · 11⤊ 5⤋
Seems VERY contradictory to me. Susan was incredibly rude, and ignorant - I think. Susan should definetly have offered a prayer for Glenna instead of being accusing. Attitudes like the one Susan dispayed are part of the reason I'm not a Christian anymore.
2007-06-15 10:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by shayde 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your right she should have offered to pray for her and even have her put on the prayer list at church. On the other hand I go to church and I know how it is when you miss a few services it makes not going even easier. It could be that the younger lady was just using this to get her back into church. But God would not punish her for being sick by keeping her sick. Back surgery is rough and it may be that it's not comfortable for her to sit in the hard back pews. I'll say a prayer for Glenna to feel better and for Susan to learn to be more sympathetic towards others.
2007-06-15 10:54:41 · answer #3 · answered by Mel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a Christian myself but I can say from experience that just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn't mean they actually are one. It's those fake ones that don't even understand their own damn religion. Christianity is supposed to be a relationship between God and his followers and sitting in church doesn't make anyone any more blessed than they would be worshipping at home or even while driving to work. If Susan were a TRUE Christian she would leave the judging up to God and pray for her fellow Christian to get better. It's because of fake ones like that that I dropped out of the religion when I was still in high school!
2007-06-15 10:59:07 · answer #4 · answered by Tiacola Version 9.0 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, terrible. A building labeled 'church' should not be used to control people, but it is. The fact that we get sick (and eventually die) is the way it is. According to the Christian belief, Susan should have prayed with Glenna. But it sounds like she more enjoys being an a $$.
2007-06-15 10:53:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My parents didn't go to church regularly, and I don't, either. Frankly, I don't like the kind of people I meet in church. Most are arrogant and self-righteous. Illness and tragedy strike everyone, randomly, and such concerns are addressed in the Book of Job in the Bible. Susan should have offered to pray for Glenna. After all, "those who are not sick have no need of a physician", and everyone could use some encouragement, regardless of their spiritual condition.
2007-06-15 11:03:42 · answer #6 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever church these two women go to, I'm glad I don't have to go there. Susan sounds like what I've heard called a "hypo-Christian" - they go to church at least two days a week and can quote Scripture at the drop of a hat, but wouldn't know how to express real Christian kindness if somebody had a gun to their head. Not only should've Susan offered to pray for Glenna's speedy recovery, but she should've offered to have one said for her at mass, and asked her if there was anything she could do for her.
Sounds to me like Susan has more of a "Susan"-problem, though, than a "God"-problem.
2007-06-15 10:53:50 · answer #7 · answered by dreamchaser8860 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because they talk about church and religion doesn't mean they are Christians. But, if Susan is a true Christian, she should have used her "milk of human spirit" to comfort Glenna instead of berating her. Maybe she was just having a bad day? That is why I say walk the walk and don't worry so much about talking the talk. Actions do speak louder than words. thanks for the question. have a Super Day!
2007-06-15 10:53:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were Glenna, I would have poked that silly b**** in the nose. However, this is, as many have pointed out, typical of the smug, superior, judgmental nature of many of the born-again.
Also, Susan needs to understand there are laws regarding creating a hostile work environment, and learn to curb her tongue. She also needs to learn some compassion. Recovery from back surgery, especially for the elderly, can take years.
2007-06-15 11:13:01 · answer #9 · answered by link955 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes,Susan could have done better. the concept that God punishes people with illness originates with the pagans, and many early Christians clung to this "folk wisdom" the story of Lot's boils is a lesson in steadfastness. God wants all of his children to be well and do well. by Susan's belief system, she should become ill any day now. i have every confidence that Glenna will recover and be fine. remember that all Christians are not equal in their understanding and practice of Christianity, and many fall short.
2007-06-15 10:55:59 · answer #10 · answered by sugarbabe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be confused no more. "Susan" is a hypocrite. The world is full of them; it's not limited to Christianity, although understandably, that's where they are the most noticed. What "Susan" said and did was wrong and went against Christian kindness and charity. There's no excuse.
Ahem...Attention please: To all of you who have remarked about how "typical" that is- I am sorry that has been your experience, but this is in no way "typical of an evangelical mindset." I'm tempted to remark about how "typical of an atheist mindset" an accusation like that is. Try browsing the responses (including my own) to this question. You guys obviously didn't. But I guess that would rob you of the satisfaction of making unsubstantiable accusations.
Thanks, Witch Chick, for at least giving Christians the benefit of the doubt, and realizing that the comment was uncharacteristic of a true Christian.
2007-06-15 10:52:03 · answer #11 · answered by hoff_mom 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋