If Christians pray for peace before surgery because they are frightened, what do non-believers do to calm their nerves?
2007-06-25 08:10:01 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I come to an understanding of the procedure.
Here (sources) is an excellent description of what it's like, from Stephen J. Gould.
Oddly enough, it turns out that understanding probability and statistics is a key to coping with life. I can't recommend that course strongly enough.
2007-06-25 08:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't pray for peace, I pray that God willing I will get through this difficult time. That is my pray for anything I do in life. It is by Gods will I am here:) I think that people who don't believe in Christ probably think the same type of thing, just w/o leaving it in Gods hands. They probably talk within themselves about peace, calmness and hoping everything goes well.
2007-06-25 15:18:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've had a fair bit of surgery, but I am more afraid of flying. I find a good book and herbal tea calms me down just fine. No need to talk to imaginary friends.
2007-06-25 15:48:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do a variety of different things. Atheists have a wide range of spiritual practices and philosophies. There are atheist Buddhists, for example.
Speaking for myself, I'm an atheist Taoist. And I apply Taoist philosophy to many areas of my life, not the least of which is in stressful situations such as preparing for surgery.
2007-06-25 15:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I make sure the doctor's qualifications are up to date, that his license is still valid, and that I have made certain they know that I'm not to be sedated, only given local anasthesia as needed.
Knowing that the best possible probability of success is set, I don't have much to fear. At that point, whatever's going to happen is going to happen, I'm just along for the ride.
2007-06-25 15:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You assume that all non-Christians don't pray. >.<
If I was to have surgery for some reason, I'd pray to my deities and meditate to calm myself.
2007-06-25 15:40:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several people use pain-killers to dull their mind to what's physically happening to them. It's called drugs. Me personally, I just talk to the surgeon and ask them exactly what they are going to do in the procedure. If they say that they are going to poke around until "God sorts it out," then I know that I want a DIFFERENT surgeon, because I want to be able to come out with all limbs firmly attached.
2007-06-25 15:39:41 · answer #7 · answered by Joe S. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd try to understand what the surgeon is going to do, as much as possible.
If the doc knows what he (or she) is doing, he'll explain it to me and give me confidence in his competence at the same time. There may also be a probability of success to rely on.
Voilà ... fear is beaten by reason.
2007-06-25 15:14:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a valium and hope for the best??? But, I'm a Christian, so I pray AND take a valium. Peace.
2007-06-25 15:14:10 · answer #9 · answered by superfluity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd talk to my son -- putting HIS mind at ease and showing that he doesn't need to feel scared for Daddy would weigh much more on my mind, and probably keep me too busy to worry about myself.
Luckily, the last time I had to go under the knife, I actually *WAS* my son's age (not quite 5)....
2007-06-25 15:14:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋