Beliefs

Reader, Adam, called me and told me about this story. I didn't believe him, but it's true. It's an horrendous ailment, and too horrible to imagine, but watch the video. I'll warn you, please preview it before you allow your children to watch it; it doesn't have questionable content, but sight of the tumor is haunting (NOTE: There are additional video installments that you can watch, linked from the story).





The thing that's most amazing to me is the fact that the tumor is operable; it can be removed. But, for 37 years, Jose Maestre, 51 (the gentleman with the tumor) has refused the operation. Why? Because he's a Jehovah's Witness; and the operation would require a blood transfusion; and Jehovah's Witness' have a belief that blood transfusions are explicitly forbidden by the Bible.

So he's elected to bear the burden. And, over the 37 years, the tumor has grown-so that it's now 15 inches long, and weighs 12 pounds.

It's incredible, I think, to have a belief (right or wrong; that's not the issue here) that's so deep seated, that you choose to live a life of inconvenience, and discomfort; possibly pain and humiliation; even danger, as the tumor has begun blocking both his sight AND airways, and he can hardly eat.

I wonder: what must it feel like to believe in something so strongly? I've never been put to a test like that-never had to sacrifice so much, and bear such a burden for so long.

And I pray I never have to. But if I do, I wonder, what will I do?

What would YOU do?