Any Mormons who watch House?

Question

What did you think of the new character from last night? What about his decision? I liked his arguments, but I didn't like his choice. Thoughts?

The BYU guy that agreed to drink the alcohal in spite of his religious beliefs... It produced an interesting discussion.

Answer 1

i saw it. the conversation didn't make any sense really. house was asking the guy about if he would pull an *** out of the mud on a sunday. that principle has nothing to do with the decision about drinking alcohol.

the decision of drinking alcohol to perform that test is perfectly ok with the gospel in that EXACT situation. because it was the ONLY way in the world of figuring out the medical problem. it's the same principle as getting naked in front of a doctor to perform an operation or exam.

that exact situation doesn't really exist though. "the ONLY way to save a life is to drink alcohol"? pretty strange and rare topic to try and involve mormons. i agreed with house, it would have been fine to participate in that test. just about any other situation, the black doctor would have been justified for not drinking alcohol, like if it was at a doctor's conference.

the other jabs at our doctrines were just thrown in there for no reason really. secret clothing? was that to try and condem our belief in not drinking alcohol so we don't act like drunken idiots or worse?

it just showed how little the writers understand our beliefs and way of life and that's what i found funny. i don't mind people making fun of our religion. when you do, you should at least make common sense out of it.

Answer 2

Yeah, I watched it. I love the show, but I was a little uncomfortable at the way House ridiculed the Church and how the new character failed to say anything meaningful in response. I also thought it was ridiculous when House, an ardent atheist, started quoting scriptures in an attempt to get that young doctor to go against his religious beliefs simply so that House could get his own way. I didn't like the new character's choice either. There was nothing "ox in the mire" about that situation, other than that the young doctor really wanted to get the job.

EDIT: Wayoutthere, I agree with you in principle, but I disagree that the situation depicted in the episode last night was a legitimate "emergency". They only had to drink tequila because House didn't want to go through the legal and ethical steps of documenting the tests he was performing on the patient. The entire medical treatment of that lady was unethical and dishonest from the start to finish. If that young "Mormon" doctor was really honest, he would have walked away as soon as he saw what sort of fellow House was. (Now that's not to say I don't still find the show very entertaining... lol)

Answer 3

I would not have made the same choice because it would be trading ethics. She was basically lying to keep her NASA gig and would not take the proper test. The BYU guy drank to save the patient -- but this was unnecessary because there was a better test for her.

I like that he said that LDS members are encouraged to think for themselves and if he (the fictional character BYU guy) never drank again this would be an easy repent for him. -- he would be OK

Over all I was pleased but not totally pleased.

D

Answer 4

I'm not Mormon, but I am Christian and will try to answer from a religious teatotaller's perspective.

House was right, except that the Mormon character probably should have prayed on it rather than just taking his answer.

The Bible is clear that sin and goodness is more than a list of rules to follow--I'd assume the Mormons agree with that idea. For religous folks, morality is simply doing what God wants you to do--the rules in religious writings are there to give you a clue as to what God wants. None of the commandments or other instructions should be discarded lightly, but if you ever feel that following a rule God made for you would be more evil than breaking it--pray!

House's citing Jesus' hypothetical example of saving a suffering animal on the Sabbath is exactly what was at issue. There is a rule against drinking, which he faithfully followed. There are a lot of good reasons for God to make the rule, but none of them applied here--this rookie doctor was not going to start a drinking habit or act irresponsibly because he allowed tequila to touch his lips. Not only that, but breaking the rule could save a life. Breaking the rule against drinking in that particular instance would, I think, be acceptable in the sight of God because of the good it could do. Once the doctor saw this, I think he realized that he had to help his fellow man in a time of need, and that helping the suffering was more important than following a rule that was probably intended by God to keep him on the right track--a track he wasn't really in danger of leaving anyway.

I do agree with the posters before and after me. Like the person below me pointed out with other words, this was a fictional test devised to come up with an unlikely scenario where drinking wouldn't be evil. I thought time was of the essence when I wrote my response, I didn't realize the situation was just caused by House's other deceptions. And the point made by the poster above is that House is a poor mentor for any believer is definitely a good argument--I can't imagine that the Mormon doctor could gain enough lifesaving knowledge to make up for exposing himself to the ways of House.

Answer 5

I did not see it, but I've read some of the answers. I must be missing something, because I can't seem to comprehend how a doctor drinking tequila would help heal a patient.

Answer 6

I don't watch it but my parents do and she told me about the episode... I think it is so silly. I view that as an attck on the religion, like saying "see mormons don't always do what they are supposed to."
Yeah, we all sin. No one is perfect.

Answer 7

I thought it was really interesting. I agree with you about his choice.

gw

Answer 8

no, i missed it - i was out late with my eldest son at football practice... i'll have to catch the rerun.

Answer 9

I MISSED IT!!! Grrrrrr! I will have to see if my brother recorded it!

Answer 10

Darn, missed it!