Text 310, 92 rader
Skriven 2006-04-06 15:24:11 av Ardith Hinton (1:153/716.0)
    Kommentar till text 306 av George Pope (166.survivor)
Ärende: School Daze
===================
Hi, George!  Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

AH>  Another expression of sympathy.  It may not be what you
AH>  would prefer, but at least they're paying attention &
AH>  trying to relate....  :-)

GP>  I don't take any offense, nor am I bothered by it. . . :)


          Same here....  :-)



AH>  Some of them may want to make it seem like your fault.
AH>  And some of them may get a rude awakening eventually....

GP>  Still are lots like this, especially the storefront
GP>  Charismaniac types!


          Yes, I note with interest which churches are wheelchair accessible &
which ones aren't.  I have read stories from a number of correspondents to the
effect that they were no longer welcome in churches they'd associated with for
years when they had a child with a disability or whatever because those around
them believed such things can't happen to people who live right.  The three of
us also attended a funeral at a church where a stair lift was clearly labelled
"for seniors only"... but you already know my opinion about *that*.

          I'm not against religion per se.  However, I think certain varieties
of religion tend to attract folks whose reasoning style is predominantly SJ...
meaning it may be quite different from yours & mine.  Their religion makes the
differences more obvious because they are so outspoken about it... [wry grin].



GP>  I had a lady, soon after my stroke, offer to pray for
GP>  me; I graciously said "thank you"


          Uh-huh.  You accepted her loving concern in the form she was able to
offer you, although (once again) the form might not be what you'd prefer.  :-)



GP>  then showed up a week later, still with my cane. . .

GP>  She was MAD!!! She got right up in my face and accused
GP>  me of lacking faith. Now _I_ was mad, both for myself
GP>  & knowing she'd be the same to others who were weaker
GP>  than I,


          Probably.  If God can't or won't produce an instant miracle on *her*
terms, maybe she's not clear on the concept.  But few people have the temerity
to stand up to SJ's as you did... so they go on thinking everybody else agrees
with them.  And such attitudes may indeed be very harmful to others... (sigh).



GP>  I returned with, "No, lady, according to Scripture,
GP>  it was YOU lacking faith --


          I'm reminded here of the story about a person with cancer who wanted
to know why God hadn't answered his prayers, whereupon God said "I sent you an
oncologist [etc.]."  Some folks enjoy micro-managing.  If they do it with God,
I'm not surprised.  They do it with learning assistance teachers too....  :-))



GP>  why did you cruelly get my hopes up only to pray
GP>  half-heartedly and tempt me to distrust God?"

GP>  She scurried off quickly. . .

GP>  I'm sure she never attempted to lay such a guilt
GP>  trip on anyone again! :)

GP>  (I wasn't actually mad, but I felt I needed to convey
GP>  as if I were, to give meaning to my words for her)


          IMHO you have to address people on their own level sometimes... just
as you did there.  Maybe it's asking too much to hope you made her think.  But
at least you succeeded in making her go away by turning the tables on her & by
not allowing her to play Blame the Victim with impunity, in your case....  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)