To be irritated by religious views...

[Frume]

I know I'll get flamed here. Of course it goes without saying that you are entitled to believe whatever you believe. And I understand that sometimes people turn to 'God' because that's their last hope. But..

My example that prompted me to write this...

I was on Instagram and catching up with a poor girl that I follow. She is 19 and has battled cancer 3 times. The page is updated by her mum and she says things like:-

'In Him we trust to heal his child'

'This is all part of His plan'

'He knows what he is doing'

Something good happens & then it's, 'God is good' or 'Thank you to Our Father in Heaven for making our prayers come true and healing his child'

Ok. Sure, that was it.. or probably science

The general 'Thoughts and prayers' when there is any kind of disaster. Because obviously that's all that's needed in a time of crisis.

What ever gets them through their tough times. Personally I find religious intolerance far worse.

You're irritated that her mother has found something that comforts her!?

And this is someone you follow on Instagram? Surely the way to remove your irritation is obvious?

I'm not a fan of people who want to tell you about their religion but I do think people who have faith to comfort them in situations like this are fortunate.

As I said, that was an example. It can be applied to any situation.

So what harm does it actually cause you? Live and let live!

I still think they're entitled to their view, but they're not forcing it on you

And fwiw science has been wrong plenty of times too

You're definitely being unreasonable.

I find it irritating when it's handed to my children as fact at school and I have to do the whole 'well some people believe and some don't but we must all be respectful' thing when I believe it's horseshit used over the centuries to subjugate populations, mainly the female population.

But in the example you've given, it's whatever gets them through the day really.

YABU. And what on earth are you doing following someone like that? Ghoulish. And you don't "battle" cancer.

You are confusing “religious views” with faith.

This girls mother has faith.

Personally I am atheist. However, people are free to chose their own path and beliefs - in the example you give if that's helping her through then I'd be pleased for her that something is giving her comfort.

@ArgyMargy - It came up as a suggestion. It's a public page. They decided to share their 'journey' of her 'battle' - their words, not mine! They update several times a day to let their 100k+ followers know how she is doing.

If you'd rather no thoughts and prayers in a crisis, that's your choice.

You do realise though that thoughts are what give rise to actions? No thoughts, no help. At all.

“And fwiw science has been wrong plenty of times too”

Yes it has. But the difference is that it looks at ir’s mistakes, learns from them and moves on. Unlike religion.

The worst thing I ever saw was a person asking for prayers for a sick child- so that she could be lifted up on “arms of prayer” so God could see her. As if somehow the more prayers the more the all merciful, omnipotent, omniscient God was likely to answer.

As I said, this was just an example.

I'm talking about religious views in general I suppose. Part of being an atheist I suppose. I know I'm being unreasonable...

Another example - The couple who didn't treat their baby who had meningitis because 'His Lord' would cure her.

He didn't. She died. They are now spending life in prison in America for manslaughter and child neglect...

You're probably just quite an unwise person under the misapprehension that the spiritual aspect is not an important part of human life.

Don't worry, you live and learn.

@justarandomtricycle - How patronising 😂

Each to their own I think.

If it helps them deal with grief then that’s their look out

@frume: intentional holding up of a mirror. The truth, nonetheless.

I have family who are religious, I'm not. It's nice to see people find comfort wherever they can, even if I can't share their beliefs.

Anyone who allows a child to suffer in their God's name is clearly unwell; rational human beings just don't do that regardless of their faith.

Yep. I feel the same OP.

I think I know what you mean, OP. I find all religious/faith views mildly disturbing. It makes me very nervous that people can believe something without any proof whatsoever, and then act on those beliefs.

@StoatofDisarray - Yes, exactly that! Wars upon wars over different religions that no one has absolutely any proof over whatsoever!

I was on Instagram and catching up with a poor girl that I follow.

Unfollow her .… problem solved

I just did a quick google for a particular story/study (which I cant find) and found a hundred others that show faith is beneficial - one example - reasonably reputable source ?

www.cancer.org/latest-news/study-cancer-patients-with-strong-religious-or-spiritual-beliefs-report-better-health.html

Interesting -

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/12/pupils-raised-religious-homes-likely-succeed-whether-not-go/

Wars upon wars over different religions that no one has absolutely any proof over whatsoever!

These religious wars, are they worse than oil wars?