ALEX KERR | staff writer
We often think of Christians as being accepting of death. Who hasn’t heard someone proclaim they have no problem “going home” to heaven to “meet their father.”
In some ways, it’s comforting to think we have solved the mystery of the afterlife, and are perfectly comfortable with our outcome.
Why then, have those in the medical profession recently seen a rise in religious patients requesting longer and more aggressive treatment in life–threatening situations?
A recently published article in the Los Angeles Times claims patients who believe in God are less likely to accept a fatal diagnosis, and continue on with invasive and sometimes unnecessary treatment.
The article, “Aligning a Medical Treatment Plan with God’s Plan,” cites Gloria Bailey, a victim of stage IV breast cancer, as a perfect example.
After receiving a mastectomy and hormone therapy, Bailey claimed she was told by God that her treatment was not aggressive enough. After seeking a second opinion, Bailey received a bone marrow transplant, sending her into a coma.
The article also cited a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which claims to show religious cancer patients were twice as likely to request “heroic, end-of-life measures” following unsuccessful chemotherapy, prolonging and often increasing the pain of treatment, without actually improving mortality rates.
Further, President Obama recently came under fire for giving this year’s commencement speech at Notre Dame University, a Roman Catholic institution. Due to Obama’s views on abortion, several graduating seniors have openly stated to Associated Press reporters that they may not attend their own ceremony.
With our faith already influencing our views on abortion, birth control and stem cell research, the affect of spirituality in health care cannot be denied.
But could our faith be causing us more pain than peace?
At first, the concept seems odd. As Christians, it’s assumed we are secure in our belief that our God loves us, and eagerly awaits our arrival in heaven.
Doesn’t sound like something we should desperately try to postpone. If you already know where you’re going, why are you scared to leave?
Consider for a moment, however, the differences between Christian and secular experiences after death. Should atheists contemplate the consequences of their death, they would come to nothing. Absolutely nothing will occur once they pass, other than the pain and suffering they currently feel coming to an end.
Then, consider what happens when a Christian contemplates death.
It’s basically the equivalent of taking the hardest final of your life, plus meeting the biggest celebrity you’ll ever know, multiplied by the possibility of potentially spending eternity in a flaming pit of sulfur, acid fire.
Now the hesitation starts to set in.
It would be like the infamous collegiate nightmare of walking into class, only to find you had a midterm you were unaware of, if the results of that midterm were to determine your fate forever. Perhaps we have made our perception of God, Jesus, and judgment day more comfortable than even we believe.
While it is easy to glide through life praying to a “sandal–wearing, laid back, let’s-turn-water-to-wine Jesus,” we may be forgetting a little thing called Yahweh, the most fear—inspiring word in the Old Testament.
How quickly it slips from our minds that the gentle, complacent man we often picture is in fact the most fearsome and awesome being in existence.
While his love, compassion and grace are of course worthy of praise, as Christians we may be too quick to glance over just how daunting our Lord really is.
He is the creator of the heavens and earth. The maker of every man, plant and animal.
The cause of catastrophic yet memorizing events like the great flood, the parting of the Red Sea, and the seven plagues brought upon Egypt. He always has, and always will exist, and he is waiting for you. Personally.
It’s no wonder Christians are the least accepting patients of their fatal conditions. We’ve got a lot at stake, and we know it.
