What's wrong with asking a doctor's religion?

As a gay man with HIV I was refused treatment by a previous doctor who said I deserved what I got. I no longer trust Christians in regard to HIV in any respect. I am now going to an HIV specialist who is gay but have been now been referred to a dermatologist. Someone told me it is illegal to ask a doctors religion.

Report that doctor to the American Medical Association immediately. You don't have to ask a doctor his religion...any one of any religion can be an idiot. Tell him your situation and ask he is comfortable treating you. If he is not, then you don't want him for your doctor. Best of luck.

Is it illegal to ask a doctor's religion? I have no idea.

I can see why it could be wrong though:
You could discriminate them based on their religion, and that would be just as bad as a doctor discriminating people based on theirs.

I have not heard that it is illegal to ask any question of anyone. How would you feel if the doctor asked your religion.

Perhaps the better question is, Does it matter to you, how I acquired this infection ?

The answer will tell you all you need to know.

No, it's not illegal. You can ask if you want - but please don't disregard all Christians for care. I know a lot of doctors, many of them Christians, and they are caring individuals who would not treat you any differently because of your sexual orientation or HIV status.

As far as religion goes, there are also plenty of non-Christian physicians out there that are total jerks to their patients, regardless of their social history. Just be open minded and find a doc who will give you the very best care.

I think it is more about an individual rather than his religion. Why don't you just ask up front if the doctor has any problem treating you? Access to treatment is a human rights issue.

It's not illegal to ask what religion your physician is.

What should be illegal is to deny medical care to a person in need. Your former doctor should have their medical license revoked. What good is it to be a doctor if you're not going to help those in need?
Good luck to you, and I hope your current doctor can give you whatever help you may need!

That is so horrible and I am so sorry you had that experience. As the Bible says, please look to God and not to the man. Men are sinners, and cannot be expected to be faultless examples of Christianity. This doctor was nothing but a jerk, and was acting anything but Christian.

I am a Christian and I do not judge you. I am sorry for your suffering. Jesus loves you. I'm sorry, but I felt compelled to explain all that to you. Judgmental creeps come in all shapes, religions, and sizes.

That said, I would not want to ask my doctor about their religion. As far as I know it's not illegal, but it might make them defensive, and they might not do their best for you, if they feel like *you* are judging *them*.

Well, even if it's illegal, which I doubt, go ahead and ask. Nobody sues the HIV positive, they don't generally have much money, and the plaintiff comes off looking like an insensitive jerk.

That said, there's not really much point in asking. As per Christian mythos, Christ spent a great deal of time healing 'sinners'. Your doctors decision to decline treatment was personal, he just blamed it on his religion.

B R you should report this dickwit doctor. Personal beliefs, religious or otherwise, should never mean substandard patient care. It is a complete lack of professionalism that this doctor treated you with such disrespect. Would it be okay for him to refuse treatment simply because you were Black? Prejudice is prejudice and this idiot should not be practising. Homophobia is not limited to certain religions. As others here have suggested ask the dermatologist if he is 'comfortable' with treating you. Also, please, appraise yourself of ALL the information on HIV-AIDS available on the internet before making decisions on treatment.

A doctor can refuse you treatment but I doubt very much if he said this to you. You sound like you are pissed off at life due to the fact that you are dieing a horrible disease. it is not the doctors fault that you made bad choices and he has every right to refuse you treatment.