New Age/Religious Guilt

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gazorpf@yahoo.com - 02 Dec 2006 12:33 GMT

Many people who do not suffer from chronic illness (yet) cannot
comprehend it, are afraid of it, have to believe that it will never get
them, and make up their own explanations. But, more and more people,
inlcuding those of us with lupus, are living with chronic illness? Why?
People are diagnosed earlier, receive better treatment, and live longer
but the diseases are not curable. Sure, there are factors like diet,
environmental pollutants, stress and lifestyle, but those are lesse
contributing factors to the statistics.

In New Age/Religious Guilt the accuser need to blame the victim so that
they themselves can feel safe from our suffering. If we are bad and
they are good, then they get to stay healthy. If we take the
medications that control our condition, we are weak and have given into
the demons of modern medicine. Wow! Didn't God, however you understand
God, create the chemistry and science and give us the people to use
them? What right do we have to reject that gift?

Now, some common things we hear that are all part of the denial on the
part of people who dwell in the land of the healthy and their attempts
to rationalize our illness by blaming the victim.

But you don't look sick.
God never gives you more than you can handle.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
If you only took better care of yourself.
If you only got more exercise.
Prayed harder.
If you only took this herb, ate this food, wore this crystal, practiced
this religious practice, you would be better.
The reason you did not get better after that herb, food, etc is because
you did not concentrate enough. did not believe enough, or my favorite
YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO GET WELL.
If you wanted to get well, you could.

And of course, BUY MY PRODUCT.

If their "cures" were so wonderful, powerful and successful don't you
think at least some medical practioners would use them? My
rheumatologist happens to be very holistic. He also knows that balance
is key. Doctors are not always the enemy that some would paint them to
be.

Instead of spending energy blaming, I pray that these people would put
that energy and effort into finding a cure.

(Gets off soapbox and mutters "So there!)

Linda

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Maggie - 02 Dec 2006 18:17 GMT

> Many people who do not suffer from chronic illness (yet) cannot
> comprehend it, are afraid of it, have to believe that it will never get
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> environmental pollutants, stress and lifestyle, but those are lesse
> contributing factors to the statistics.

===================================
Yep, that and the fact that the population has soared. If 1 in 10 had
an autoimmune disorder 25 years ago, that 10 has turned into 100, so it
stands to reason that more people means more illness. The early
diagnosis thing is iffy, IMO, cause it seems like so many have a hard
time actually getting a diagnosis.
====================================

> In New Age/Religious Guilt the accuser need to blame the victim so that
> they themselves can feel safe from our suffering. If we are bad and
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> God, create the chemistry and science and give us the people to use
> them? What right do we have to reject that gift?

=======================================
Yes ma'am! God certaintly did! :) If you've ever read in the Bible
about Jesus healing the blind man, you will recall that He ordered him
to wash his eyes. He had to take that step or not be cured. We all
have a responsiblity to do what we can for our own good. If people
want to reject modern medicine, it's up to them entirely, but that
gives them no right to tell us what's best for us.
=======================================

> Now, some common things we hear that are all part of the denial on the
> part of people who dwell in the land of the healthy and their attempts
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Linda

=========================================

Linda,

I know it's frustrating & it seems like all those around us have no
clue. And they don't.
Even I cannot imagine some of the symptoms others have in this group,
just as they couldn't imagine some of mine.

I do have to agree with "God never gives us more than we can handle,"
as it was His promise. :) Those that are "good," are lying to
themselves. God has also promised that it will rain on the just and
unjust alike.

And finally, I don't agree with those that say if you just had enough
faith & prayed hard enough, God would cure you. They are wrong!
Sometimes.....God needs us just the way we are. The compassion and
wisdom that have come as a result of my illness is worth more than this
world could ever give me. And I believe that, in His infinite wisdom,
He's trying to give something just as valuable to each of us that we
would have otherwise never found.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us....

Hugs4U,
Maggie

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Ruth Tay - 02 Dec 2006 22:52 GMT

Thank you Linda. You put it exactly right . you have my vote if you
are running for office . Prednisone makes us look healthy and our
bright red skin makes us look like Campbell kids [if you are old enough
to remember the ads.. When people ask why we haven't been around
for 6 months a simple reply of Lupus seems tp shut them up ruth

> Many people who do not suffer from chronic illness (yet) cannot
> comprehend it, are afraid of it, have to believe that it will never get
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
>
> Linda

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