# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/61 "2008-12-03T23:27:49Z")
Yeah. When the breathing process stops, that’s God’s way of saying … “you can go off the meds, now.” ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/62 "2008-12-03T23:35:49Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I will give you my experience and understanding about using the power of God in getting off medication, addictions, and healing chronic conditions. > > It works for some but It’s up to God, not us. It may be immediate, but it may come years later. It may involve God clearing up other aspects of your live first. It’s not up to us to command God, even in great faith, for you to be cured now, though we can certainly ask. And in my experience God will tell you when it is OK to go off the medicines and you will know it. Yes, because there’s been plenty of evidence to suggest that asking Canaanite tribal gods for healing powers results in complete recuperation from diabetes. People like you are part of the problem. Spouting ignorant, superstitious and vague pronouncements about your pet god healing this and that, always making sure to provide the cop out that sometimes he cures all and sometimes he doesn’t, you know, because he might not feel like it. Either way your stupidity is validated in your logic depraved brain. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/63 "2008-12-03T23:36:37Z")
Just as an FYI, if you suspect you’re diabetic or have friends/family who may be, you can get a free meter [here.](https://www.accu-chek.com/promo/us/avivaSkinsPromo.htm) I’m guessing other brands have similar offers. I’ve heard that even if you don’t see an ad, if you call the company and ask them, they’ll often send you a free meter. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about diabetes, it’s “never pay for a meter.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/64 "2008-12-03T23:41:32Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Yes, because there’s been plenty of evidence to suggest that asking Canaanite tribal gods for healing powers results in complete recuperation from diabetes. > > People like you are part of the problem. Spouting ignorant, superstitious and vague pronouncements about your pet god healing this and that, always making sure to provide the cop out that sometimes he cures all and sometimes he doesn’t, you know, because he might not feel like it. Either way your stupidity is validated in your logic depraved brain. The above message brought to you by your international pharmaceutical company. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/65 "2008-12-03T23:53:08Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > The above message brought to you by your international pharmaceutical company. > :rolleyes: Piss off, jackass. **Kinthalis** is correct, & you **are** part of this particular problem. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/66 "2008-12-04T00:01:18Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > And in my experience God will tell you when it is OK to go off the medicines and you will know it. Dude, when God told you it was OK for you to go off your medication, you should have gotten a second opinion! Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/67 "2008-12-04T00:16:29Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > The above message brought to you by your international pharmaceutical company. > :rolleyes: Huh. Damn that Pfizer and other big pharm, suckering so many people into taking Lipitor and other bad ol’ drugs. Oh, wait, my cholesterol is way, way down and my doctor is pleased with the results. Must be a conspiracy. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/68 "2008-12-04T00:18:31Z")
What a chump. They just want you to live longer, so you’ll buy more of their drugs. Can’t you recognize a scam when you see one. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/69 "2008-12-04T00:20:36Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > The above message brought to you by your international pharmaceutical company. > :rolleyes: Was your message brought to us from the local funeral parlor? ---
**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 4, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/70 "2008-12-04T00:26:16Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I will give you my experience and understanding about using the power of God in getting off medication, addictions, and healing chronic conditions. I felt certain this was going to be followed by a “… as soon as you send three monthy installments of $19.95…” ---
**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 4, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/71 "2008-12-04T01:09:17Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > If there’s one thing I’ve learned about diabetes, it’s “never pay for a meter.” 😃 That is absolutely correct. They make their money from the test strips. We use the One Touch meters, but the Accu-Chek lancing device. I can tell you, Accu-Chek customer service is the best. They got us a Multi-Clix overnight when I called and asked for a spare one for school. ---
**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 4, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/72 "2008-12-04T01:14:28Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > It works for some but It’s up to God, not us. It may be immediate, but it may come years later. It may involve God clearing up other aspects of your live first. It’s not up to us to command God, even in great faith, for you to be cured now, though we can certainly ask. And in my experience God will tell you when it is OK to go off the medicines and you will know it. It also may involve a doctor finding a cure. I would attribute that to God, but others will not. Either way, it’s a cure. And my child is alive because of those pharmaceutical companies. While we’re waiting on a diabetes cure, whether inspired by God or not, God would want me to take the best care of the child He gave me. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/73 "2008-12-04T01:51:00Z")
Why does Diabetes lead to foot amputation? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/74 "2008-12-04T02:00:15Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Why does Diabetes lead to foot amputation? Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet, which can mean you won’t notice a sore or infection in your foot, which means you won’t treat it. And the high glucose in the blood makes it easier for the bacteria to grow. Also, it can reduce bloodflow to the legs and feet, which slows down healing. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/75 "2008-12-04T02:07:09Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > And in my experience God will tell you when it is OK to go off the medicines and you will know it. Yeah, that’s called remission, and it’s when the doctors say things are looking good and it’s OK to stop the meds. Contrary to popular belief, doctors don’t love to put people on medications. Seriously. They do, however, love it when they can lower doses, switch to less hardcore meds, or take their patients off meds altogether, because that means patients are getting better. (Some diseases don’t get better, of course.) ---
**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 4, 2008, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/76 "2008-12-04T02:10:31Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > . Might it be worth pointing out to your BIL that he’s being a dick? I mean, when he collapses and has to be rushed to the ER in an ambulance, he’ll be taking up a lot of time and resources, and the efforts of highly trained and busy people, that could be used to save the lives of people who _couldn’t_ have saved themselves by exercising some damn common sense. Maybe though, he’ll just figure they should have trusted their lives to God instead? **Skald** , does he ever lecture you for not doing likewise? > [@teela\_brown](#): > > Huh. Damn that Pfizer and other big pharm, suckering so many people into taking Lipitor and other bad ol’ drugs. > > Oh, wait, my cholesterol is way, way down and my doctor is pleased with the results. Must be a conspiracy. It would be nice, though, if God could find a way to lower the prices of said drugs. ☹ Oh, and piss off, **Kanicbird** , you stupid fuck. I hope you have a _grand mal_ tomorrow and have to spend a week in the hospital like I did. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/77 "2008-12-04T02:19:20Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Yeah, that’s called remission, and it’s when the doctors say things are looking good and it’s OK to stop the meds. And let me just add that I have nothing against people who believe in the power of faith to help heal them. I just think it’s a lot more sensible to believe that your higher power of choice helps doctors, researchers, and the overall healing process, and that people shouldn’t be discontinuing their meds just because a “feeling” or their minister told them to. If you’re suspicious of whether meds are helping or hurting, talk to your doc or get a second opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/78 "2008-12-04T02:25:26Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > The above message brought to you by your international pharmaceutical company. > :rolleyes: I wonder who has killed more people over the years - Big Pharma or Big God? ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/79 "2008-12-04T03:18:16Z")
I’m guessing God. :rolleyes: ---
**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 4, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369/80 "2008-12-04T03:42:24Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > I’m guessing God. > > :rolleyes: Unfortunately, Big Pharmacy seems to believe they ARE God, nowadays. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-trying-to-kill-himself-with-the-power-of-prayer/475369.md?page=5)