# If God answers medical prayers, then why do you need health insurance? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 7, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919 "2008-10-07T23:18:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/21 "2008-10-08T08:13:27Z")
If Cthulhu wants to devour us all, why does he allow healthy humans to lose their nutritional content by illness or death? That idea truly shakes my faith. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/22 "2008-10-08T08:28:07Z")
Religion has the same effect as patriotic manifestations: it creates hope and inspires the spirit. Nothing more. If God is really on our side why do we even have to fight wars? Why doesn’t he just destroy our enemies and save us from having to fight them? As they say in Spain: > [@](#): > > Then came the Muslims, > and beat the crap out of us; > 'cause God helps the bad guys > when they outnumber the good guys. > > “Vinieron los sarracenos y nos molieron a palos, > que Dios ayuda a los malos cuando son más que los buenos”. So praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. Or, as is also said in Spanish: “Praising the Lord and working with the hammer”. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/23 "2008-10-08T10:46:19Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > I’ve never liked the “I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter!” thing. It always bugged me. > > First, I always thought it demeaned the people who actually came in the truck, the boat, and the helicopter. These people are out busting ass helping flood victims, but no, it’s really god who sent them. Good thing god was on the case, someone might have gotten hurt. > > Second, wasn’t it also god who sent the flood in the first place? And if he didn’t send it, why didn’t he just stop it so that people have to be rescued? Why give god the credit and not the blame? The whole point of the joke is that God gives you the means to do things for yourself, and you shouldn’t be using faith as an end all be all. Have faith, but DO. The people who came in the vehicles were DOING. The man wanting to be rescued needed to do the same. Get off his butt and get it out of there. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/24 "2008-10-08T11:17:33Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > 😛 Religion \<--------------------------------------------------------------\> Logic :dubious: > [@Kozmik](#): > > 😕 Belief --------------------------------------------------------------\> Knowledge :mad: > [@FinnAgain](#): > > ☹ Heffalumps \<--------------------------------------------------------------\> Woozles :eek: I have learned much this day. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/25 "2008-10-08T11:27:48Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > A coworker of mine is praying that we’ll get more customers. I wonder…how does God prioritize “our” request compared to the pleas of other people? > > Have a heart, God–we don’t want to lose our jobs! Any chance you work at a funeral home or a terminal cancer hospice? ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/26 "2008-10-08T12:30:24Z")
What about the old adage:" God helps them that help themselves. Monavis ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/27 "2008-10-08T12:44:28Z")
God answers all prayers. But sometimes He says, “No.” That’s why you need insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/28 "2008-10-08T13:52:52Z")
Jesus doesn’t promise anyone a rose garden here on earth. In fact, he makes a point of noting that life on earth can kind of suck. Even for people who pray. Your reward will be in heaven but, until then, you’ll probably want health insurance. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/29 "2008-10-08T14:27:31Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Jesus doesn’t promise anyone a rose garden here on earth. In fact, he makes a point of noting that life on earth can kind of suck. Even for people who pray. Your reward will be in heaven but, until then, you’ll probably want health insurance. Um, why? If you get heaven, the bitchin’ place ever by definition, why would you want to prolong your time here? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/30 "2008-10-08T16:05:02Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > If you get heaven, the bitchin’ place ever by definition, why would you want to prolong your time here? If you feel that way, don’t get health insurance 🙂 I’m guessing that most issues covered by insurance aren’t fatal. Personally, I’d rather not go through life with a badly healed broken leg. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/31 "2008-10-08T17:49:35Z")
Thanks all, for your responses. It’s been very informative. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/32 "2008-10-08T17:54:29Z")
“God’s Plan” for some (most? heh) folks might just amount to little more than, “We Apologize For The Inconvenience.” ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/33 "2008-10-09T11:21:36Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > God answers all prayers. But sometimes He says, “No.” That’s why you need insurance. I think a supreme being who knows all things and knows ahead of time would be insulted by prayer, for it would be a lack of trust. As a parent, I would not give my child anything that would harm them, nor hold back anything that would be for their good, of course I do not know for certain so I just have to use my better judgement, however I would never make them beg for things that I know was necessary for their betterment. Monavis ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/34 "2008-10-09T12:49:08Z")
Why doesn’t god heal amputees? (Not an original question with me, but the best religious/health/prayer-related question I’ve ever seen.) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/35 "2008-10-09T13:02:43Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I have learned much this day. I’m not, I’m still very confoozled. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/36 "2008-10-09T14:31:22Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > God answers all prayers. But sometimes He says, “No.” That’s why you need insurance. I’ve heard this before. I just wonder why his answer is sometimes ‘No I won’t help you, you should be tortured to death.’ or ‘No I won’t help you, you should be raped and murdered.’ Never could figure that out. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/37 "2008-10-09T14:42:45Z")
As a 4 year old, do you understand why you can’t have cake for breakfast? No…it’s only because your parents are evil people who want to torture you by making you eat whole grain cereal and fruit. Perhaps your spiritual growth needs the challenge of being an amputee, or losing those close to you. God is not concerned with what is good for you in your life on earth…he’s more concerned about your spiritual growth and preparing your for life after life. At least, that’s the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/38 "2008-10-09T17:25:10Z")
> [@Jman](#): > > As a 4 year old, do you understand why you can’t have cake for breakfast? No…it’s only because your parents are evil people who want to torture you by making you eat whole grain cereal and fruit. Perhaps your spiritual growth needs the challenge of being an amputee, or losing those close to you. God is not concerned with what is good for you in your life on earth…he’s more concerned about your spiritual growth and preparing your for life after life. > > At least, that’s the idea. I think we should cut out the middle process and all be born in heaven. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/39 "2008-10-09T17:37:02Z")
> [@Jman](#): > > As a 4 year old, do you understand why you can’t have cake for breakfast? No…it’s only because your parents are evil people who want to torture you by making you eat whole grain cereal and fruit. Perhaps your spiritual growth needs the challenge of being an amputee, or losing those close to you. God is not concerned with what is good for you in your life on earth…he’s more concerned about your spiritual growth and preparing your for life after life. > > At least, that’s the idea. Then the kindest thing a parent can do is baptise the baby then dash its brains out. God, if he exists, doesn’t heal amputees and causes birth defects because he’s an evil cunt. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919/40 "2008-10-09T18:15:16Z")
Never go to a faith healer who has health insurance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-answers-medical-prayers-then-why-do-you-need-health-insurance/466919.md?page=3)