The Guilty Generation

TouchstoneMag.com ^ | July/August 2012 | John Patrick

[Shery]

John Patrick on an Unnoticed Transformation of the Cause of Disease

If you want to elicit a startled response from a group of physicians, try asking the following questions: "Those of you with more than thirty years of medical practice, think back to the beginning of your practice. What proportion of your patients came to you because of what might be described as an act of God or nature, such as an ordinary bacterial infection? What proportion came to you with a disease for which they were responsible?"

The usual answers will be that 70 percent of all patients came as a result of acts of God or nature and 30 percent were themselves, at least in part, responsible for their ill health. The next question is obvious: "What about the situation today?" The ratio is completely reversed, or worse in the inner cities.

Now to the next question: "If you are sick and suffering and those you say you love are also suffering with you because of your actions, what can you not avoid knowing and feeling?" Most physicians are reluctant to think about this, but even the most recalcitrant among us will eventually mutter, "guilt."

In the whole of human history, guilt has been a troubling existential reality, and the only solutions that have worked involve words like atonement, sacrifice, repentance, restitution, grace, mercy, and justice. Yet none of these words merits a place in the index of our textbooks. Instead, we spend millions on antidepressants, tranquilizers, self-help books, alternative medicine, meditation, and sundry other placebos—everything except existential truth.

These realities provide...

Read more: http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=25-04-021-v#ixzz26Mggsmef

[Shery]

I came to this conclusion a long time ago, myself. A good relationship with our Lord brings peace and a clear conscience, when we stay close and in His Word. Worldly concerns have less of a physical effect when you know God is in control, and you choose better paths, altogether.

[Cicero]

Interesting read. C. S. Lewis points out that all of us have consciences and feel guilt, whether we are believers or not. The words of St. Paul (Romans, 2:15) put the case in a nutshell. Even the gentiles feel guilt when they do wrong, although they might not admit or consciously understand why.

I would add that many physical diseases are the result of misguided or wrong behavior—most obviously, all the various kinds of STDs and their aftereffects, and notably AIDS. It might be better if the physician said to such patients, “Go, and sin no more.” But if he did that in our present culture he would lose that patient, and soon be out of a job, if not have his license to practice removed when complaints were made.

[Shery]

How right you are!