Religious more likely to demand more aggressive treatment near the end.

[paximperium]

Interesting and very counter-intuitive.
Terminally ill cancer (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/cancer/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier) patients who drew comfort from religion were far more likely to seek aggressive, life-prolonging care in the week before they died than were less religious patients and far more likely to want doctors to do everything possible to keep them alive, a study has found.The vast majority of patients, religious or not, did not want heroic measures taken. Still, 11.3 percent of the most religious patients received mechanical ventilation during the last week of life, compared with only 3.6 percent of the least religious.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/health/research/18faith.html?_r=1&ref=us

[Third Eye Open]

Religious people are afraid of death. That is why they go through such mental gymnastics to convince themselves they will live forever. This is not that surprising.

[korenyx]

Yes, it's more about the quanity of life rather than than the quality. As the article said they see life as sacred and want to prolong it no matter the cost or the pain.

[LarianLeQuella]

Religious people are afraid of death and know deep down that religion is all a con. That is why they go through such mental gymnastics to convince themselves they will live forever. This is not that surprising.


Made more accurate. :p

[Ysidro]

Hopefully you were just joking, Larian. Otherwise I have to disagree. Saying so is the same as a religous person saying all atheists really believe in god.

However, there's probably some truth in your statement. I could well imagine that the main fear of death is actually fear of the unknown (and occasionally of punishment but I don't know any theists who think they're not going to be rewarded.) If I were used to people telling me what I was supposed to believe (and at one time I was) I would still likely have doubts before undertaking the Last Great Journey. But as an atheist, I doubt there's anything "after" as far as my conciousness is concerned and if there was I'd consider it both a surprise and a grand adventure. Another chance to learn, as opposed to being TOLD. But mostly I'm sure I finally get to rest. Sort of....

Why be afraid of that?

[LarianLeQuella]

Yeah, the smiley face indicated my pathetic attempt at humour. I guess it's humour masturbation; I amuse myself a lot during long night shifts here in Qatar.

[The Atheist]

Interesting and very counter-intuitive.

I don't think it's counter-intuitive at all - in fact, I'd consider it highly probable.

In the main, this will be older patients - those well-versed in christian dogma - who suddenly realise that the standards Jesus set are probably a lot higher than they've ever achieved and become ****-scared that they might go the other way.

An extra month's prayer might be the difference.

And none of 'em dare use an exit-bag, because that would be a trip striaght to my place Hell.

[Holler Hoojer]

Quite simply, I don't believe that God will decide when "I am needed in Heaven" and, so, I have executed a living will listing my wishes for my end-of-life treatment. Without such instructions, medical practitioners are bound to take extraordinary measures in most jurisdictions. Many devoutly religious folks see a living will as tantamont to suicide - a mortal sin.

In recognition that I have likely committed such a sin, I have also requested cremation as a "preheat".

[truethat]

I don't think it's counter-intuitive at all - in fact, I'd consider it highly probable.

In the main, this will be older patients - those well-versed in christian dogma - who suddenly realise that the standards Jesus set are probably a lot higher than they've ever achieved and become ****-scared that they might go the other way.

An extra month's prayer might be the difference.

And none of 'em dare use an exit-bag, because that would be a trip striaght to my place Hell.


I would say so. If someone believes they are going to come face to face with God I could see them being fearful if they felt they did a less than stellar job.

[Cainkane1]

I fear the process of dying more than I fear being dead. I've observed two loved ones die slow and agonizing deaths and like the song says. The best you can hope for is to die in your sleep.

[Safe-Keeper]

Could it be that those who believe in Heaven also have an innate fear of Hell, whereas many atheists don't?