Dr. Scott at his medical practice in Kent
I recently came across yet another news article that centers around the increasing persecution faced by Christians from all works of life. This time around, the man in question is Dr Richard Scott and his alleged crime was his prescribing of Jesus as a solution to the deep seated problems facing one of his patients.
This story really struck a chord with me because I am also a medical professional and have also shared my faith with some of my patients under certain circumstances. In Dr. Roberts’ case, he refused to accept a formal warning from the General Medical Council, which said he risked bringing his profession into disrepute by discussing Christianity. Dr. Roberts, who used to be medical missionary and surgeon in Tanzania and India, understandably wants the formal warning removed from his otherwise unblemished record. He is prepared to fight the GMC at the risk of being struck off the register. Dr. Roberts argued that he never forced his faith on the 24 year old patient. He said they simply had a conversation between two consenting adults. However, the patient’s mother found this unacceptable and reported Dr. Roberts to the regulatory body.
The GMC claim that by sharing his faith, Dr. Roberts had abused his position and potentially exploited a vulnerable patient. However, Dr. Roberts counters by saying that at no point during the consultation did the patient object or ask him to stop sharing his faith. Besides, the GMC’s own guidelines state that it is acceptable to present faith to a
patient as long as it is done gently and sensitively.What makes the whole thing even more baffling is the fact that the Bethseda Medical Centre, where Dr. Scott works as one of six Christian partners, clearly states on the NHS Choices website that spirituality may be discussed during consultations.
Simon Calvert of The Christian Institute said: ‘Are we really getting to a position where Christians are not allowed to speak about their faith at all in the workplace? It would seem like it to me because prior to this case, we have seen a series of high profile cases involving Christians and the expression of their faith. Remember the nurse who prayed for a patient and an electrician who displayed a cross in his van? What about the couple who were refused the right to foster children? Or the Christian couple ordered to pay a gay couple £3600 for not allowing them spend the night in their B&B in violation of their beliefs?
Dr. Roberts is putting his illustrious career on the line for what he believes in. He says he is doing this for other Christian medical professionals out there who are steadily losing their rights to express their faith even in the most sensitive manner. Was I wrong in asking my patient if I could pray for him after he broke down in front of me? Am I wrong in asking my colleagues if they would like me to share my faith with them especially when their need for Christ is all too evident? Whilst we must apply wisdom and discernment in such matters, we must not shy away from sharing the knowledge and love of Christ when the opportunity calls, provided we stay within the confines of the law when doing so. My worry is that a time is coming when such laws will be so unbearable against our faith that if we don’t violate it, we will by default be violating the greater law of Christ.
A word of encouragement to those affected by this from Jesus Himself in John 15:18 & Matthew 10:22 – If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
To read the original Daily Mail article, click here.
