I don't normally openly condemn religion, as for quite a few people religion is, and remains something of great importance. However, something today angered me, and I felt compelled to write about it. I am a firm believer in the concept of giving praise when it it is due. So why then did the Daily Star run a headline saying "In God's Hands". This headline is of course referring to Fabrice Muamba (the footballer who tragically suffered a heart attack whilst playing for Bolton against Spurs at the weekend). In God's hands...really?
If God has a plan for all of us, then God already tried to kill this man. It was us, humans who managed to bring him back. The man's heart could not beat independently for 2 hours. For 2 whole hours 6 specialists (plus a Spurs fan who happened to be a cardiac specialist) kept this man alive. He was then taken to the London Chest Hospital where he has been under consistent supervision, and it was recently announced that he has regained consciousness, and that fellow professional Michael Essien has been to see him and had conversations with the man in both French and English.
God did not keep this man alive. Science did. God did not rush onto that pitch and revive him, we did. To suggest he is in God's hands implies that God has some sort of say in the matter. He doesn't. If the paramedics hadn't been as alert and well prepared as they were the man would have died face down in front of 36,000 spectators. It is a testament to how far we have come as a species that we are able to pull people back, and to keep them going!
I understand why people want to pray, and I feel people shouldn't be discouraged, as it's a sign that people want to help, that they care, and that the person is in your thoughts, however in my opinion it is wholly ineffectual. If people want to make a difference, donate a small sum of money into cardiac research. The reason we are where we are is because of the on-going research done by scientists around the clock.
When I was younger a girl in my town suffered from Sudden Death Syndrome, and although I shall never profess to have been her friend, as I barely knew her, it has changed my outlook on these sort of events. Those with heart conditions are not always monitored by teams of specialists, and sometimes paramedics can not arrive in time. Unfortunately this was the case for the girl from Bishop's Stortford.
Now comes the part where praying makes no difference, and the end result is down to you.
CRY or Cardiac Risk in the Young is a charity that campaigns for proactive screening of young people. It offers help and support to those who have suffered a loss, provides medical information, carries out Mobile Cardiac Screening and ECG Testing Programmes within local communities and contributes to medical research...Whilst it may be too late for you to help Muamba, you may save the next young footballer, or shop assistant, or waiter. Anyone can become victims to SDS therefore why not make a donation today, and help save someones life.
If you feel like making a difference, follow the link and donate. Too little doesn't exist.
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/donate.htm
PER
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