Sister, We're not Here for the Cancer

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Pie

When my father was dying, we had a very sincere chaplain that was doing her best to "minister" to us. We smiled nervously, nodded a bit. She finally got around to asking us what sort of spiritual advisor we wanted, telling us very earnestly that they could find a representative of any religion under the sun for whatever last rites my father wanted.

I couldn't take it any more and told her "It's hard to find a priest for a family of athiests." She smiled, stammered a bit and went away.

My father (had he been able) would have slugged her rather than be subject to any mumbo-jumbo rites. That man was a strong athiest.

Perhaps she was new. Didn't the hospital ask about any of this beforehand? Either way she should have asked much earlier what denomination you were or whatever. Then again perhaps you could have mentioned that you were atheists much earlier and saved her the trouble of trying to "minister" you and/or your father.

Also, consideration has to be given that many atheists find religion when they come to accept the realization that their lives are at an end. She was just trying to help.