October’s Goodbye

It's the last day of the best month of the year, October (please if you disagree, soak the sky). It came with a way to celebrate the female: international day of the girl child on the 11th and 'No Bra Day' on the 13th. Not to leave out the month-long awareness of breast cancer, showing concern for an aspect of the health of this beautiful creature called woman. With all the breast cancer education going on, you must have heard and learnt something new, either for yourself, your mother, sister, wife or friend.

You know, we often hear people say that ‘women are their own enemies’. Really, I don’t think it’s just women; I think people usually are the cause of their downfall, both men and women. There’s such a fine line between religion and information/common sense that sometimes it is hard to tell. And people choose to hide under the shadow of the former and wallow in obliviousness.

Take the instance that we know that living in a filthy environment makes one predisposed to certain illnesses. Yet young Bra Yaw, a recently converted, Christian, brimming with the excitement of all the new things he’s learning, who knows that his God has the power to deliver him from all infirmity, has decided that he need not clear the gutter in front of his house of its stagnant water; he is a child of God.

Now, if such a person should fall victim to the results of their actions or inactions, I see it as an insult to common sense, human intelligence and knowledge. Because people have died for research to be conducted to bring out the information that you treat so lightly. I also believe that the results of the researches could not have been reached if the very God we speak of did not endow (wo)man with wisdom. Quite separate from the fact that God has given us a mind of our own, we know that He reveals to redeem. How is this not enough for some people?

See how this whole month, several health centres organized free breast cancer screening for women (and men). A woman goes to the mall with her young adult daughter and they chance upon an ongoing free screening of breast cancer. Cajoled by a male friend to get screened, the daughter is prevented by the mother from getting her screened; mother says ‘the Lord is with you; it shan’t happen to you’. Seriously?? In this day and age?

These are the kind, that should they unfortunately but eventually be diagnosed with the cancer, would move from one prayer camp to another -completely ignoring orthodox treatment- as though they were evangelizing, and still end up at the hospital when the situation has gotten out of hand. Not to say that God does not heal; I know He’s still in the miracle business. But he also has given us discernment. What is wrong with combining treatment with prayer?

The theme for this year is 'early detection and treatment saves lives'. But how does one detect early without getting examined? Because, really, after a certain point, all you really can do is sit yourself in front of the bucket until you feel the urge to kick it.

And is an example of some of the stories that are heart-breaking as they are ludicrous. That people consciously choose to blind themselves to issues that should be of concern to them, but would not want to be blamed for the outcome of their chosen state of ignorance.

So this is October’s goodbye, and this is not just about breast cancer: Ignorance isn’t always bliss. Choose knowledge. Every time.

Photo credit: picturecafe.com