Prayer kills

[iranu]

Wouldn't you be a tad gutted if you were in the group that was prayed for? Even if you didn't believe in god - "alright mate, we're going to pray for you - oh by the way have you seen this study?".

Actually this would probably increase my chances of getting better*

Well meaning do it all: I'm going to pray for you.
iranu: cool, that's very kind.
Well meaning do it all: We will get a group prayer going for you.
iranu: Excellent, knock yourselves out. - "Winks"

5 minutes latter

iranu: lol, chortle, haha, muppets, omg I'm going to die laughing, dupes, chortle, lmfao. Oh man laughter is the best medicine. Hehe.

Next day:

Well meaning do it all: Nurse, Nurse! Where is that nice Mr iranu?
Nurse: He passed away.
Well meaning do it all: That's so sad, may we please see him one last time? You see we all prayed for him.
Nurse: Umm, well I suppose so. It wouldn't hurt.

In the morgue - As the sheet is pulled back to reveal iranu's smiling, grimaced death mask.

Well meaning do it all: Oh look, he died with a smile on his face.
Random "well meaning do it all": Praise Jesus.
Well meaning do it all: Mortician. Mortician!
Mortician: Yes sir.
Well meaning do it all: How did this man die?
Mortician: Well, umm, he chocked to death.
Well meaning do it all: How could that happen?
Mortician: He seemed to find something so amusing that he literally laughed himself to death.
Random "well meaning do it all": Ah, the lord works in mysterious ways.

* or not

Incidentally did you see the news about some nurse who got suspended for asking if she could pray for one of her patients? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7863699.stm

This is just ludicrous. How can anyone be offended? From what I've read in the meedja, this nurse offered prayers to a 70 year old who declined and the nurse said ok, but the 70 year old phoned the hospital/trust to say that others might be offended and unfortunately this woman nurse got in trouble.

I mean FFS, what gives? Many people might class me as a militant atheist or whatever, but I'd like to say that I stick up for the nurse in this case. What could she possibly have done wrong? How could she offend? It's pathetic that any public body could chastise someone for such a gesture, a gesture that is well meant and a gesture that might bring comfort (don't confuse this with actual healing even if comfort is part of the medical remit ) to people if they are of the same persuasion.

[chuckskull]

I mean FFS, what gives? Many people might class me as a militant atheist or whatever, but I'd like to say that I stick up for the nurse in this case. What could she possibly have done wrong? How could she offend? It's pathetic that any public body could chastise someone for such a gesture, a gesture that is well meant and a gesture that might bring comfort (don't confuse this with actual healing even if comfort is part of the medical remit ) to people if they are of the same persuasion.

I'd probably get thrown into that militant atheist bag too, but that's just ridiculous. It's just a gesture of kindness and compassion.