# My brother-in-law is trying to kill himself with the power of prayer **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369 "2008-12-02T17:57:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/261 "2008-12-06T01:47:55Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Did you see the link on the OP about cinnamon? Please. Cinnamon is technically a toxin of sorts, albeit not one that really bothers humans. You can eat quite large amounts of it eithout damage. Sure, you don’t wantr to load your food with it, but it’s fine in the amounts people eat. We’ve been flavoring food ith it for (literally) millenia, and we’re not dying in droves. Nutmeg is far more toxic. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/262 "2008-12-06T01:50:02Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > We’ve been flavoring food ith it for (literally) millenia, and we’re not dying in droves. All of those people millennia ago who ate cinnamon? DEAD. So there. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/263 "2008-12-06T02:37:53Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Actually, I’m starting to feel that **Kanicbird** is probably enjoying all this ridicule, if only because it feeds his martyr complex-that he buys that whole-“You will be persecuted in My name.” As if the real Jesus wouldn’t have preferred people going out and truly HELPING others, rather than sitting around feeling self-righteous. I really hate to say this, but I admire **Kanicbird** for one reason. He has not laid into anyone like I have been tempted to do. He’s actually been nice in this whole thing. He’s been called every name in the book (well, almost: I know how creative Dopers can be) and he has not done the same. That’s hard to do. I have some problems with his logic at times, but I respect him for being civil. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/264 "2008-12-06T03:55:33Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > Oooh, I vote for a pointy diver’s helmet with both moose antlers and a propeller on top. But no laser! I implore you, I beseech you, NO LASER!!! ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/265 "2008-12-06T03:58:03Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You’ve never met my eldest brother. I’ve heard him spout the exact some lunacy when he’s not talking about how his church does “reparative therapy” to cure homosexuals of their sinful desires. Does he have that minister who tells people who suffer from depression that they wouldn’t be depressed if their faith were stronger? * * * I never told one of my good friends that I did not say a requested prayer for her dog when it was really sick. I just didn’t think I could get anyone or anything to intervene in the outcome. As it happens, the doggie lived and is still living today, though probably not for much longer. But I don’t see how my prayer or lack of one would have made any difference. I can see how praying might be comforting to the one doing the praying, but to make that prayer work on behalf of another being is the part that throws me. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/266 "2008-12-06T04:35:02Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > No, because this is a Jewish custom, and I believe it developed after Christianity split off from the mother faith. As observant Jews do not, by definition, believe that Jesus was in any sense divine, and observant Christians have no particular problem writing the word “God,” there is no reason to do. > > Lobsters are still wrong, though. And don’t get me started about Big Macs. I had no idea everyone doing this was jewish. wow. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/267 "2008-12-06T14:50:03Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > I had no idea everyone doing this was jewish. wow. We are everywhere! Bwahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/268 "2008-12-06T15:12:48Z")
> [@Claptree](#): > > Just in case this isn’t a whoosh: not only did you leave out the acute, you also exchanged an ‘a’ for a ‘u’. Which you did not comment in your follow-up posts. Agh! Not only has Gaudere smited my typing, but he also rendered me blind! [QUOTE=Kolga] People, people, we’re missing the point. There’s still a poll out on the type of hat to be awarded to kanicbird. Can we leave aside whether or not Skald violated Gaudere’s Law to settle that much more important issue?! [/QUOTE] Fool of a – wait, I already did that this thread. Silly rabbit! My error in the matter of the proper spelling of the All-Father’s name was not a violation of Gaudere’s Law; it was Gaudere’s Law IN ACTION. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/269 "2008-12-06T15:14:15Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > Does he have that minister who tells people who suffer from depression that they wouldn’t be depressed if their faith were stronger? That’s Kim’s side of the family. Though I don’t doubt he’d agree, as he believes all mental illnesses are the result of demon possession. ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/270 "2008-12-06T17:17:24Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Agh! > > Not only has Gaudere smited my typing, but he also rendered me blind! I extend my heartfelt condolences for your loss of vision. Now, how 'bout them points? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/271 "2008-12-06T17:27:02Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Not only has Gaudere smited my typing, but he also rendered me blind! She may do worse if you don’t start getting her gender right. At this rate you may never make an error-free post again. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/272 "2008-12-06T17:39:09Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > That’s Kim’s side of the family. Though I don’t doubt he’d agree, as he believes all mental illnesses are the result of demon possession. Well, I have obsessive compulsive disorder-sometimes it FEELS like being possesed-does descriptive language count? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/273 "2008-12-06T18:12:19Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > She may do worse if you don’t start getting her gender right. At this rate you may never make an error-free post again. Obviously I’m talking about the other Gaudere, the Ainu of…um..well, somebody. I can’t be expected to keep all my bullshit straight. ETA: Have you READ my posts? I’ve been known to screw up 10 times in 2 words. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/274 "2008-12-06T18:15:34Z")
> [@Claptree](#): > > I extend my heartfelt condolences for your loss of vision. Now, how 'bout them points? Fine, fine, fine, here’s your freaking 10 points, plus another 10 for something I forgot the details about. The usual threats of improbable comic-book revenge apply. This week I’m sending samurai ostriches. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/275 "2008-12-06T18:59:02Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > ETA: Have you READ my posts? I’ve been known to screw up 10 times in 2 words. I thought I was the only poster that could do that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/276 "2008-12-06T19:54:43Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I thought I was the only poster that could do that. > 😉 !Y’u"ere wrruogn ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/277 "2008-12-06T20:19:57Z")
**Skald** , how’s your BIL? Did he get to the doc? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/278 "2008-12-06T20:33:36Z")
> [@Juliana](#): > > **Skald** , how’s your BIL? Did he get to the doc? Yes; as I wrote above, a 14-year-old girl’s tears are incredibly powerful, particularly to her father, whose natural response to seeing his daughter crying is to swear bloody, disproportionate vengeance on the author of her misery. As I understand it he was diagnosed as being officially a type-2 diabetic (duh) and was given insulin to bring his blood sugar to a non-blinding level, whereupon he will start on meds. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/279 "2008-12-06T21:22:59Z")
I saw about his daughter (great girl, there!) and about him going to the doc, but missed the outcome. I’m glad to see his official diagnosis. He’ll be feeling a whole lot better soon. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/280 "2008-12-06T22:22:13Z")
> [@Juliana](#): > > I saw about his daughter (great girl, there!) and about him going to the doc, but missed the outcome. I’m glad to see his official diagnosis. He’ll be feeling a whole lot better soon. And doubtless will attribute the feeling better to God rather than the doctors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369.md?page=15)