Katlaughing, I'm curious. Who or what do you give thanks to?

Plus - ". I do not want anyone, other than myself, deciding what they think is best for me and praying for that"

I understand what you're saying, but there are two points to make here -

1) many people decide what they think is best for us, all the time. Politicians make laws in my country about the circumstances in which people may own guns. I may not agree with all their rules, but in general the level of deaths from guns here is low. Doctors also decide what's best for me frequently. Wasn't there a case some time back where everyone was rooting for the State because it insisted on giving blood transfusions to two Jehovah's Witness kids? Where was the 'allowing the parents and kids decide what was best for themselves and not forcing their world-view down their throats' then? Maybe the kids would have followed their parents lead and the parents had different criteria about what was right for them. I don't happen to agree in this particular case, but all I'm trying to say is people often decide what's 'best for us' and it's not always a bad thing.

2) If you object to someone trying to convert you, I quite understand that too. But it needs to be repeated over an over here that the nurse didn't seem to be trying to convert anyone. It was a prayer offered for the patient's physical recovery (as far as I know) - and physical recovery IS part of the nurse's remit. It was not a prayer offered for the patient's conversion or soul (which would be the RELIGIOUS matter).

3) Personally I don't object to anyone trying to convert me. If I have time I'll courteously listen to anyone as long as they're polite and reasonable themselves. If I don't, I'll just say, I can't right now, maybe another time? I know some of you might find this strange or threatening behaviour, but I am not fazed by it. Occasionally Mormons call to my house. I'm not and am unlikely ever to be a Mormon, but I'll listen to what they have to say and offer them a drink and bite to eat if they're hungry. If they want to say a prayer together, that's fine too. Then off they go. If they got aggressive, that would be the end of the welcome, but in my opinion they never do, even when they argue their point with conviction. It's the same with the Hare Krishna's - I won't take their book, because they always expect a 'donation' and I'm not giving them my money, but they can explain their point of view and again I'll listen politely and explain I already have my own beliefs and they do me quite well. If they want, I'll explain mine to them also.

But here once again we've (ok, I'll speak for myself) strayed into religion v. non-religion debate, not exactly my intention. But I suppose the nurse case just underlines a practical example of the tension that lies in the system, that this story is about more than mere rules.