Theoretically, a doctor of modern medicine cannot be a theist but I see that there are many reasons for him to be.
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The major argument of practising doctors of modern medicine against alternative systems of medicine is the “lack of scientific evidence”. Modern medicine is built on the bedrock of research and evidence. Everything — the normal and the abnormal organ states, disease origins, the evolution of disease, treatment regime, surgical techniques, disease outcomes at short and long term — are methodically studied, tested and then applied in humans. The outcomes are constantly rechecked for reproducibility across all the races and different age groups.
In this context, it is interesting to note that many doctors of modern medicine are highly religious and ritualistic. The concepts of religion and God are based only on belief. The incomprehensible, invisible and the magical things of the universe form the basis of God in the history of human evolution. It is not possible to scientifically prove the existence of God through laboratory tests and experiments. Then, what makes doctors believe in God?
Often, in medical practice, things do not go along expected lines. So, the belief in an unnatural element becomes essential for the doctor to keep himself grounded and at the same time, also explain to the patient about the unpredictable nature of health care. The ‘1% complication’ of a treatment can happen to any patient, and if it happens, the doctor transfers the responsibility towards God’s hand in such unforeseen circumstances. He might say, “I am only the actor but He is the director.”
I knew a doctor who would always keep the stethoscope under the feet of Lord Ganesh. After listening to the patient’s illness, he would lift it from the God’s feet with utmost piety before auscultating the mesmerised patient’s heartbeat and breathing. A spiritual atmosphere in a medical institution and around the doctor, gives a higher sense of confidence and trust for the common man to subject himself to further treatment. The presence of idols, spiritual quotes, pictures of Gods, hymns in the background, and prayer rooms provide a sense of calmness and tranquillity to the patients and attendants who are already in distress due to the hospitalisation. A doctor, who quotes just scientific data and evidence in an agnostic museum-like atmosphere, may not be convincing to the patients.
The concept of religion is a relatively new one in the human history (about 2,500 years). After the initiation of agriculture, it marked the next step in societal living among humans. From paganism and pantheism based on natural elements such as the sun, mankind moved to monotheistic religions in different parts of the world, as a way to unite people as a clan. Soon, people of same religion flocked together, mingled, mated, made business and thrived as a society. As societies bloomed, religions thrived. So, religion and followers of a religion became an essential aspect of community living. Now, a doctor, who is a scientific person working purely on physical scientific evidence, cannot be shunning his religion, and sustain his medical practice. If he has to practice in his society, he cannot express his disbelief towards any religion or the existence of God. On a positive note, excessive expression of one’s religious beliefs will also incline people of the same group to flock towards him, flourishing his practice.
Doctors are also emotional human beings. They need solace and a shoulder to lean during their times of distress. When things spiral out of control, they need a supernatural force to act immediately. While scientific explanation, gadgets and medications can help only to an extent, doctors sometimes seek a miracle to save a sinking patient. Once a visiting senior surgeon requested me if I would take him to a temple that evening. I gladly agreed, and asked him if he is a devotee. He stared at me and said, “We are all neurosurgeons and we should be devotees of some God. Otherwise who would help you if you hit a major bleeder accidentally?”
Profession is only a part of one’s life and it is not the whole life. A doctor is a part of his family, and belongs to group of relatives and friends, who occupy a major part of his life. Religion and God thus become an important binding factor in this family binding. For an ordinary human, a doctor, to overcome his personal struggles and emotional upheaval, a strong belief in a mystic force becomes essential to lead a stable life. Being a theist in the family and an atheist in the profession does not make sense. Theoretically, a doctor of modern medicine cannot be a theist but I see that there are many reasons for him to be.
Published – March 30, 2025 03:13 am IST