Prayer, illness, cure and insensitivity.

[Le Chat]

Several weeks ago my husband and I were out for dinner with a couple of friends. The husband of this couple, I have known for 30 years and his wife, for 14yrs, since they married.
She is a 'holier than thou' Catholic, who did not go to a friend's wedding (C of E) as it was not a 'proper' wedding. She mentions God in most sentences and of course the local priest, mass and the Virgin Mary get plenty of references. She had a very bigoted view of non-believers but I excused this as she was young when my friend met her and had had a trouble free life. I have found through the years that religious superiority is easily spouted when there is a lack of life experience. As soon as some family problems arrive like a family member being gay, the superiority tends to drown a little, as was the case.
So for quite a few years, she has been less bigoted, much more open minded and pleasant to be with.
At dinner, all the superiority was back!
She told my husband, who has MS that it is a manifestation of a blockage caused by his athiesim! He could unblock it and return to full recovery if he prayed to God. (Although not after a few drinks, as God would be insulted)
Needless to say, the night , for us couldn't be over quick enough.
Several weeks on, I find that her daughter (aged 12) has been ill since Jan with weakness and badly swollen legs. The specialists cannot find a cause but the poor girl is spending more and more time in bed.
What I cannot understand is how she could say that my husband's illness is caused by being an athiest, when her own daughter (who has been to Lourdes, for fun, and St Geminiamo in Italy on many pilgrimages) is now struck down with a mystery illness.
Obviously prayer hasn't worked for her!
I'm just spouting really, as I don't suppose there is any real question here!

[Le Chat]

Naomi - Le Chat is french for cat. - Nothing to do with 'chatting' on AB!

[naomi24]

Yes, I know Le Chat, which is why I asked. I was always under the impression that 'chat' is a feminine noun, and should therefore be preceded by 'la' rather than 'le' - but of course I could have been saying it incorrectly all these years. If so, my apologies to the French. They've certainly been a tolerant bunch and have never picked me up on it.

Nothing to do with chatting on AB! How funny! :o)

[naomi24]

Thinking about it Le Chat, I suppose my discussions with French people have rarely, if ever, revolved around the subject of cats, so they wouldn't have been able to correct me anyway - and I wouldn't have offended them with my probable misuse of their beautiful language. I feel a little better now - but sadly, it does seem a very long time since my lessons in French grammar. :o)