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Beware to whomever has some sort of belief system: You will not excel in any sort of health care profession.
At least this is what my professor informed me of recently in class. I was quite disappointed, as I have been in a Christian school system most of my life. It was clearly said that if you were to believe in anything besides evolution – you would go to health professions’ hell. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being told I can’t do something.
Why is it that believing in something other than evolution would prevent success in the medical field? As far as I am concerned, the medical field deals a lot with who we are now, not where we came from. I mean sure, humankind’s origins gives some clues about who we are and what we can do, but was it the “Big Bang Theory” that gave you that heartburn or was it waiting those seven days for God to create the earth? Is that going to affect my diagnosis? You had better hope not.
It sounds relatively discriminatory to say that anyone interested in achieving a degree in biology or pursuing a career in medicine must have the same belief. I know I don’t go around looking at people on campus picking careers for them based on their belief system. I should start though.
A few of my opinions have changed since taking classes here at UMaine, but not because I was afraid of being unable to make a career for myself someday. Aren’t we supposed to be here to create our own opinions and take a stand for what we believe in? Isn’t part of the college experience just that – learning who we are? Well, I’ve learned that I love biology more than life itself and I can take any class here and succeed no matter what I believe. I have yet to meet a professor in the biology department on campus who does not believe in evolution, and it has certainly been interesting taking 120 biology credits without the word “creation” being used. Well, except in jest.
I understand why evolution makes sense and why it is important to science as a whole. My professors are intelligent, prominent people. Why would one have such an ignorant point of view? Please teach me something instead of telling me what I can and can’t do. Don’t tell me I have no business being in biology if evolution is secondary to other beliefs I may have. Perhaps it takes more than a belief in evolution to make a great doctor. It just may take some social skills and experience, among other things. Actually, I am surprised my applications did not have a “yes” or “no” check box for belief in evolution. My professor should suggest that to the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants.
I am excited about going into the health profession and, surprising to some, succeeding. I am fine with what I believe in and I am looking forward to learning more and changing my opinions on things as they come. If my beliefs happen to cause an uproar in the doctor’s office, so be it. Bring on the challenge. I’m not scared. At least I won’t be hiding behind my beliefs or taking my professor’s advice and not going into medicine. God forbid I do something I want to do. I can not wait to prove my professor wrong. That will be a glorious day.
I should really thank him for instilling this motivation in me. I really need it, because getting into graduate school isn’t a simple task. And now, I may have another thing going against me: that check box.
Casey Trafton is a senior biology major.
