Hmm, Barry Finn and Mrrzy have both posted stories about how put off -- no, pissed off -- they were by medical professionals offering religion. Slag, Keith, Ron, can you wrap your heads around the concept that there are situations where the offer of religion is inappropriate, and even harmful? The degree of the offer isn't really important. When a non-Christian or a non-religious person is confronted and surprised by an out-of-place offer of this nature during a time of great stress, it indicates a lack of quality patient care. You have said repeatedly that it wouldn't bother you. I accept that. Please try to look at the situation from a point of view other than your own.

One of the points I've made a couple of times now that none of you have bothered to (or been able to?) respond to is the experience that many non-Christians have had of being discriminated against for their lack of Christianity. Given how many "take no prisoners" Christians there are running around, how do we know if a total stranger is one of those or not? How do we know that a refusal of the offer of prayer isn't going to piss off a Christian who holds our lives in their hands?

Peace, I would have done the same in your situation. I suspect that most people would. I note that you didn't make the offer; you responded with comfort for a dying person. Out of curiosity, did your EMT training include any guidelines about offering unsolicited religion to patients, or do any organizations you've worked for have policies about it?