Try it this way. You're in average health, when you're suddenly stricken with a life-threatening condition (could be an injury, could be a disease, it doesn't matter, really). This isn't something you can shrug off or treat with maple syrup - you must get medical attention or you will die, full stop.
In the short time left before you absolutely, positively must have medical care, you have to make a choice. One option is to be looked after by the best doctors, nurses and technicians available, all of whom had extensive experience treating exactly your condition with a success rate of more than 95%. You will be whisked away, instanter to a top-notch medical facility, where these amazingly talented people, assisted by the best medical equipment available, will do everything in their power to cure you. But they assure you that neither they, nor anyone else, with either pray for you nor provide you with any religious ritual.
Your second option is to be looked after by second-rate (but still very good) medicos, whose experience, training, dedication, facilities and equipment have given them a success rate of 80% in treating your condition. But all these personnel inform you that then entire hospital staff will send intercessory prayers on your behalf to the deity of your choice, and will arrange any religious ritual that you feel comfortable with.
Now choose: a 95% chance of staying alive without religious flummery, or an 80% chance with it. tick...tick...tick...
Boru
In the short time left before you absolutely, positively must have medical care, you have to make a choice. One option is to be looked after by the best doctors, nurses and technicians available, all of whom had extensive experience treating exactly your condition with a success rate of more than 95%. You will be whisked away, instanter to a top-notch medical facility, where these amazingly talented people, assisted by the best medical equipment available, will do everything in their power to cure you. But they assure you that neither they, nor anyone else, with either pray for you nor provide you with any religious ritual.
Your second option is to be looked after by second-rate (but still very good) medicos, whose experience, training, dedication, facilities and equipment have given them a success rate of 80% in treating your condition. But all these personnel inform you that then entire hospital staff will send intercessory prayers on your behalf to the deity of your choice, and will arrange any religious ritual that you feel comfortable with.
Now choose: a 95% chance of staying alive without religious flummery, or an 80% chance with it. tick...tick...tick...
Boru
‘But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods or no gods. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.’ - Thomas Jefferson
