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"You cannot be a doctor if you believe in superstitions," said by my Catholic professor.

Basically, it was just another ordinary day at med school. I was taking up some psychology classes and stuff like that. Now, this professor is a clinical psychologist. Alright, I respect him for that. Before we begin our class, he'd begin with a prayer (to which I just silently stand as others join).

I didn't mind the prayer. It's ok. Though I had forgotten the exact topic we were in, it was these words that struck me and the only thing I remembered throughout the day.

You will all be doctors someday. Superstitions are not part of a doctor's mind. You cannot be a doctor if you believe in superstition because it is irrational to believe in something unrealistic.

Right. You have a point there, but is religion sort of a superstition? That was the question I would like to ask, but it is not my place to debate. It's time to be silent for a while.

CesStuart 5 Sep 19
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35 comments

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0

Great post. I was always taught that a delusion is when someone believes something not based in reality. Problem is in our culture the belief in a supreme being is acceptable and in many areas praised. One of the best psychiatrist was a Hindu, "many gods" and had religious statues in his office. Smartest Doc I ever worked with was a "devout" but delusional guy. One thing I learned in grad school was to live by the motto, "take what you can and leave the rest".

0

Not sort of: is. Why is it not your place to debate? It is when we don't question things like this that they continue.

I completely agree with you, but I recommend CesStuart finish school before taking a stand. If this guy is that close minded then I wouldn't put it past him to try and make an example out of her.

0

Religion is based on superstition, magical thinking, mythology, and false total system ideology. Some doctors compartmentalize their existence to allow themselves to have contradictory beliefs.

0

I'll need to consult the Ouija this evening. In the meantime, I ponder.

3

That’s an amazing contradiction that only a true believer could spew that amount of bullshit with a straight face.

0

Your professor is a walking, talking contradiction. Also, clearly, the "faithful" can certainly be doctors. Ben Carson is an example, but if his public image is any indication, I would never trust him to do any surgery on me. LOL!

0

Isn't it amazing how human beings can be totally oblivious to their own absurdity?

All religions are variations of magic. And yet, the imbeciles will proclaim that magic is evil even as they perform their silly rituals.

What was the loon praying for? That his god would help him impart his learning to others?

0

It's time to be silent for a while

I agree with you. At this time you are in a subordinate position. When you are in a position of power, you will no longer need to be silent.

Betty Level 8 Sep 20, 2018
0

Are you saying à psychologist shoved prayer down students' throats?? And he made a point about superstition all the while he was being religious, without any insight!!

kng01 Level 5 Sep 20, 2018
3

This is cognitive dissonance at its finest

obis Level 6 Sep 19, 2018

Cognitive Dissonance is defined as the mental discomfort by a person who holds contradictory beliefs. The key is they realize it. In this case dissonance does not exits when people are comfortable and don't see it as contradictory.

1

Ces you always have the best posts.

"You cannot be a doctor if you believe in superstition because it is irrational to believe in something unrealistic."

First off you can of course be a doctor and have all sorts of crazy ideas. In some areas it won't effect performance to any great amount, while in others it wastes time and in some scenarios can do real harm. The importance of the doctors role, level of patient risk and doctor superstition all are important variables, and it can be assumed it costs lives in some cases.

superstition - a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief

Religion is absolutely a form of superstition. Any religious doctor will define all other religious beliefs as superstitions. If we have justification for a widely held belief, we base science on it. If we don't we call it superstition, which is synonymous with all religions.

Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

1

Kind of sad... Well said ?

1

Very well-said. This letter should be published in a major publication.

1

Hilarious first line and yes, religion is a superstition. Sometimes it is better to go with the flow until you can leave the stream.

1

Woah, you're an atheist in the Philippines? That sounds like hard work.

0

Your experience should be example #1 under the Wikipedia page explaining the idiom "The pot calling the kettle black."

palex Level 6 Sep 19, 2018
2

Religion is nothing but pure superstition.

1

I would always call out my professors on their religious bullshit back when I was studying for my master's. I remember specifically one of them talking about Heaven in detail. After he rambled on for some time, I politely asked: "How do you know all that, sir?". He made reference to a book he had recently read, and I explained that humans, by their very nature, have no possible means of delving into the supernatural and all he quoted from the author were mere "claims" with contradictory alternatives across all religions. I should note that three of my male classmates were also atheists, whom I knew I could count on if the debate was ever going to get heated. I don't how atheism is viewed in the Philippines, but I doubt it is any worse than Iran (at least there is no death penalty for apostasy). I suggest that you pick your battles carefully, but at the same time not to be afraid of questioning things in an academic environment.

Did he proceed to sell you a plot in heaven?? ? Just amazing how Iran and the Middle East, the clergy and theocrats are managing to pull dark age catholic methods on 21st century minds. I'd say the whole world is reversing course with trump and ultraconservative nationalists everywhere. The dangers of eroding education

0

This is really baffling. How does he define a superstition?

1

I would have been very tempted to say, "obviously, clinical psychologists can".

3

I would prefer an atheist for a doctor and know he was a realist.

3

Yes you can. You can differentiate between the two. I'm sure there are doctors that are religious. He's not a doctor, but I have a religious friend that is a nurse. He's smart enough to know that faith will not heal a disease or that wishing medicine on someone is not the same as administering it to someone. Your professor is small minded.

3

No, debating would be foolhardy. But prayer in the classroom? I've never heard of that in a public university. If this is a public school, go to the diversity/equality office. You have a legitimate grievance.

Holli Level 6 Sep 19, 2018

@zarathustra13 oh, I didnt realize that. Definitely makes a difference!

0

No matter what you say to him, you won’t be able to change his mind or his beliefs. For everyone telling you to debate with him, just don’t. The only thing it’s going to do is cause you more grief and if he’s spiteful, there’s a chance he’ll find some loophole to kick you out of class and give you an Incomplete.

However, if you feel strongly about it, you can make a formal complaint to the University. I do concur that prayer has no room in a classroom. And if he allows one type of prayer, he must allow all other prayers. Muslim, Satanic, Earth Based, etc.

But to answer your question, by definition, yes. But there are Christian Scientists, Doctors, and other scientific professions. My mother recently has a total knee replacement in a Catholic Hospital. Not because we are religious, but because of the quality of care.

Simply put, your professor is wrong. Wholly and completely. I would suggest making an anonymous complaint to your university. He’s spreading false words and bring prayer into a classroom. Good luck!

1

That cracks me up, it’s probably pointless to point out the extreme irony of the situation.

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