Myth of Mother Teresa

The common belief is that Mother Teresa worked with the sick and destitute to lovingly return them to health.

An examination of her missions will show that this is far from the case. Mother Teresa believed that there is spiritual value in suffering.

Once, when tending to a patient dying of cancer, she said "You are suffering like Christ on the cross. So Jesus must be kissing you." (!!!)
(Christoper Hitchens - The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, p. 41).

For this reason she would not prescribe pain killers in her clinics, choosing instead to allow her patients to experience the suffering that she believed would bring them closer to Christ. Despite the tens of millions of dollars donated to her charity each year, her missions were rudimentary and offered no real health care. Her missions mainly catered to the critically ill and simply afforded them a place to go to die.
Intrestingly, when Mother Teresa became ill she would travel to the finest health care facilities to receive treatment.

Furthermore, her main object appears to have been spreading of the most extreme form of Catholicism, through help of Vatican, rather than saintly helping of the poor and sick.

So, why is it that a great majority of people still hold this saint-like view of Mother Teresa?
Does anyone here believe Mother Teresa was a 'humanitarian'? Or just a ruthless missionary?

Discuss.

Don't most Christians believe that suffering is a part of life?

Suffering is the part of life. And its not Christians that believe that, but Buddhists.

I am not dicussing Christians as a group, but Mother Teresa.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Suffering is the part of life. And its not Christians that believe that, but Buddhists.

I am not dicussing Christians as a group, but Mother Teresa.

Buddhism says that suffering exists in this world and here is how you can avoid suffering, but Christianity says "pick up your cross and follow me". In other words, Christianity puts value on the act of suffering. So, I am not surprised that Mother Teresa found spiritual value in suffering. Also, death is of great value to Christians, so for Mother Teresa to combine suffering and death together, in her clinic, would be saintly of her. 😐

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Buddhism says that suffering exists in this world and here is how you can avoid suffering, but Christianity says "pick up your cross and follow me". In other words, Christianity puts value on the act of suffering. So, I am not surprised that Mother Teresa found spiritual value in suffering. Also, death is of great value to Christians, so for Mother Teresa to combine suffering and death together, in her clinic, would be saintly of her. 😐

Which I have establihsed in my first post.

And just for future referance, I am not asking an explanation on why Mother Teresa did what she did - I already gathered that from Hitchens' extensive research and evaluation.

My question is WHY is mother Teresa still seen as a saint like, with atheists and non-atheists like?

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Which I have establihsed in my first post.

And just for future referance, I am not asking an explanation on why Mother Teresa did what she did - I already gathered that from Hitchens' extensive research and evaluation.

My question is WHY is mother Teresa still seen as a saint like, with atheists and non-atheists like?

What does saint like mean to you?

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Once, when tending to a patient dying of cancer, she said "You are suffering like Christ on the cross. So Jesus must be kissing you." (!!!)
(Christoper Hitchens - The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, p. 41).

Her theology of suffering also produced the following quote: "I think it is very beautiful for the poor to accept their lot, to share it with the passion of Christ. I think the world is being much helped by the suffering of the poor people."

Which is disturbing on a whole other level.

It is interesting though, that the Mother Teressa myth has not penetrated the mainstream belief - yet, and one must wonder why.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Which is disturbing on a whole other level.

It is interesting though, that the Mother Teressa myth has not penetrated the mainstream belief - yet, and one must wonder why.

The power of Christ.

No. Many Christians believe that suffering is a part of life and is good for them, for they suffer as Jesus did on the cross. (as your quote alluded to)

Suffering is a way to mimic Jesus, which is why so many radical Christians groups turn to self-flagellation or mutilation as a method to increase their spirituality.

Buddhism doesn't have parades with women in chains, burning their skin and dripping hot wax on themselves. Nor does it have priests carry 100 lb of cactus on their raw backs or self flagellation with spiked ropes. Christianity does. I've seen it in person. Christians very much believe suffering is a part of life. Its continuously demonstrated throughout history Christian inspired texts, methods, and thought.

Since Mother Teresa is a Christian and a very devout one, its not surprising to see these beliefs.

This leads me to my original point that there is nothing really special about Mother Teresa. She is simply expressing conservative principles of her faith.

Originally posted by Alliance
Suffering is a way to mimic Jesus, which is why so many radical Christians groups turn to self-flagellation or mutilation as a method to increase their spirituality.

Buddhism doesn't have parades with women in chains, burning their skin and dripping hot wax on themselves. Nor does it have priests carry 100 lb of cactus on their raw backs or self flagellation with spiked ropes. Christianity does.

Those would be the extreme end of the spectrum though . . .

It might be extreme to you, but in some places this is normal and well supported.

Conservative yes, but then again, Christianity is a very conservative concept.

Originally posted by Alliance
It might be extreme to you, but in some places this is normal and well supported.

Conservative yes, but then again, Christianity is a very conservative concept.

Not always. You're generalizing from the most outspoken groups.

Please show me when since the 400s CE Christianity has been the bastion of liberalism.

I'm not generalising. I did not say all Christians engage in self mutilation. Nor did I say they want to. I said some do and that those traditions are easly and strongly grounded in CHristian mythology.

Originally posted by Alliance
Please show me when since the 400s CE Christianity has been the bastion of liberalism.

Bastion of liberalism? I never said that.

I'm just pointing out that there are Christians other than fundamentalist, evangelical, nutcases. PresbyterianChurchUSA is a good example.

Originally posted by Alliance
I'm not generalising. I did not say all Christians engage in self mutilation. Nor did I say they want to. I said some do and that those traditions are easly and strongly grounded in CHristian mythology.

You're declaring all Christians to be like people on the right, thats virtually the definition of generalising.

Some of those concepts are grounded in the bible but people interperet the bible in thier own ways.

I'm really upset...

I always looked at Mother Teresa as the closest thing to a Saint possible...how ignorant of me. She was twisted....dangerous even.

She allowed the suffering and deaths of thousands of innocent people to continue without Aid....

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Bastion of liberalism? I never said that.

I'm just pointing out that there are Christians other than fundamentalist, evangelical, nutcases. PresbyterianChurchUSA is a good example.

I was raised in a more "liberal" church. However, I feel you are understimating both the vocal power and actual presence of reactionary Christians.

I said Christianity is very conservative. No church is really ahead on any social issues, nor has been.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
You're declaring all Christians to be like people on the right, thats virtually the definition of generalising.

I said no such thing, nor do I think that. Please point out where you wrongly interpreted this.

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
I'm really upset...

I always looked at Mother Teresa as the closest thing to a Saint possible...how ignorant of me. She was twisted....dangerous even.

She allowed the suffering and deaths of thousands of innocent people to continue without Aid....

Umm...don't change your perception just because one person says something. A little research would be in order. Find out who she was for yourself.

Unnecessary suffering is not a part of the calling of Christ... just thought I'd clear that up.

Withholding painkillers from those that desire them seems cruel, Mother Teresa wasn't all bad, she did afford comfort to a lot of people it seems.

Originally posted by Nellinator
Unnecessary suffering is not a part of the calling of Christ... just thought I'd clear that up.

Withholding painkillers from those that desire them seems cruel, Mother Teresa wasn't all bad, she did afford comfort to a lot of people it seems.

Though...as lil b pointed out...that's just what it seems, not what actually happened.

Originally posted by Alliance
No. Many Christians believe that suffering is a part of life and is good for them, for they suffer as Jesus did on the cross. (as your quote alluded to)

Suffering is a way to mimic Jesus, which is why so many radical Christians groups turn to self-flagellation or mutilation as a method to increase their spirituality.

Buddhism doesn't have parades with women in chains, burning their skin and dripping hot wax on themselves. Nor does it have priests carry 100 lb of cactus on their raw backs or self flagellation with spiked ropes. Christianity does. I've seen it in person. Christians very much believe suffering is a part of life. Its continuously demonstrated throughout history Christian inspired texts, methods, and thought.

Since Mother Teresa is a Christian and a very devout one, its not surprising to see these beliefs.

This leads me to my original point that there is nothing really special about Mother Teresa. She is simply expressing conservative principles of her faith.

You are generalising, because you are assuming that Christianity = Catholicism.
You are also generalising because you make no distinction between the Churches of the East and those of the West.

Furthermore, you are off-topic.

I did not ask WHY Mother Teresa did what she did.
I asked WHY is is seen saintly like, STILL in the face of evidence, by atheists and on-atheists alike.

So, take your christian bashing in some other thread where its relevant.

I don't care about Christ suffering and what Christians believe. Read my first post.
If you have something to say in regards to the topic, please do so, if not then don't take this thread in a direction it was not made for.