Pope falls foul of German hosts by shunning seat belt

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Greetings Pfaffenhoffen,

I totally agree. If I could not afford health treatment or had insurance to cover myself, I would wear a seatbelt then. But as it is I am quite nicely covered financially and thus choose not to wear a seat belt.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

I tell you: you are not covered finantially. You dont know what you will be in…
And insurance does not cover sufferings, despair, loneliness, pain (maybe perpetual pain). I tell you, the next second you realize your situation, you would repent not to have worn a seat belt !!!
I know people…

 

[LilyM]

At the risk of piling on a little - anathema, you know that nothing we do ever affects just ourselves.

Think of your friends and family who would have to pick up the pieces, think of the emergency staff who have much better things to do than treat people who injure themselves through their own negligence.

If nothing else, think of the kiddos who will see you not wearing a seat belt and just maybe unbuckle their own …

 

[purplesunshine]

At the risk of piling on a little - anathema, you know that nothing we do ever affects just ourselves.

Think of your friends and family who would have to pick up the pieces, think of the emergency staff who have much better things to do than treat people who injure themselves through their own negligence.

If nothing else, think of the kiddos who will see you not wearing a seat belt and just maybe unbuckle their own …

This is an emotinal argument. Seatbelts do save lives, but not nearly as many as people think they do. My brother who’s a cop has had the unfortunate duty to call on a family after the accident. The saddest part was when they asked if their son was wearing his seatbelt and the other cop said yes. The family took great comfort in this. Both my brother and his partner that night knew the guy would of survived had he not been wearing a seat belt.

I tell you: you are not covered finantially. You dont know what you will be in…
And insurance does not cover sufferings, despair, loneliness, pain (maybe perpetual pain). I tell you, the next second you realize your situation, you would repent not to have worn a seat belt !!!
I know people…

I know people…and the more I talk, the more I feel like it’s still a toss up. Seatbelts may save more lives than not, but they may also cause deaths. I never thought of this until I approached the subject with a good friend who’s like an older brother/uncle to me. He dosn’t eat great and I thought this was just an extention of his stubborness. Then he explained to me how one of his best friends died…becuase of a seatbelt. I was stunned. Thinking it was a fluke I talked to other friends. Many had stories about an aunt, brother, grandfather who would of died had then been wearing a seatbelt. One was eight when the family got into a fender-bender. The belt killed the nearly full-term infant his mother was carrying…even though she was wearing the belt correctly.

One of my friend, before such answers, said: “And then, I am the Queen of England!”.
So, because you know people who lost someone for wearing seat belt, the statistics that say that wearing seat belts saves more lives than loses are all wrong?

As in Germany say the police: “If people cannot make their own decisions, we will make for them!”

That’s really, really twisted. What next? No guns, no freedom of speach? Do people have the right to educate their own children?

You have no right to let your relatives missing you or seeing you in a wheelchair or bedridden and full of wounds.

Again, seatbelts save some lives, maybe even most lives. But some people DIE because of seat belts. You’re making an emotional argument based on faulty statitics.

Now, it is seat belts, which, once an habit, is NOTHING. Now suppose that you wanted to make your own decisions and did want want to wear anything waist down?

There’s a difference between culturally acceptable apparel and the government enforcing a law that is terribly flawed.

Seatbelts “save” lives. 75% of accidents do not involve fatalities. However, with new rigirous saftey standards many of those people would of survived anyway. The 25% who die, likely may have died anyway.

Think about this, trains, busess and even school busses don’t have seatbelts…many don’t require kids to wear them if they do. Their is more danger of being injured by one than being saved in the types of crashes busses, trains and school busses get into.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

As in Germany say the police: “If people cannot make their own decisions, we will make for them!”

Greetings Pfaffenhoffen,

It should be left to the individual on this one. I did not want respond to the quote that I quoted above.

I hate to bring the past up. But if you follow that statement to its bitter end, we have a repeat of the atrocities that were done in Germany in the last century.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Anathama_Sit]

As in Germany say the police: “If people cannot make their own decisions, we will make for them!”

Greetings Pfaffenhoffen,

It should be left to the individual on this one. I did want to respond to the quote that I quoted above.

I hate to bring the past up. But if you follow that statement to its bitter end, we have a repeat of the atrocities that were done in Germany in the last century.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Anathama_Sit]

At the risk of piling on a little - anathema, you know that nothing we do ever affects just ourselves.

Think of your friends and family who would have to pick up the pieces, think of the emergency staff who have much better things to do than treat people who injure themselves through their own negligence.

If nothing else, think of the kiddos who will see you not wearing a seat belt and just maybe unbuckle their own …

Greetings LilyM,

The last bit about your post about the kiddos who might see me. Hopefully they have parents who have good sense to tell them to leave their seatbelts ON despite my seatbelt wearing choices.

That last statement caused me to do a takeback. Heaven forbid I be the cause of a kiddo passing from this life to the next because of my non-wearing seatbelt habits.

I did not expect such a reaction from you fellow posters here on Catholic Answers Forum, and it gives me pause to think.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut and observations.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Anathama_Sit]

This is an emotinal argument. Seatbelts do save lives, but not nearly as many as people think they do. My brother who’s a cop has had the unfortunate duty to call on a family after the accident. The saddest part was when they asked if their son was wearing his seatbelt and the other cop said yes. The family took great comfort in this. Both my brother and his partner that night knew the guy would of survived had he not been wearing a seat belt.

I know people…and the more I talk, the more I feel like it’s still a toss up. Seatbelts may save more lives than not, but they may also cause deaths. I never thought of this until I approached the subject with a good friend who’s like an older brother/uncle to me. He dosn’t eat great and I thought this was just an extention of his stubborness. Then he explained to me how one of his best friends died…becuase of a seatbelt. I was stunned. Thinking it was a fluke I talked to other friends. Many had stories about an aunt, brother, grandfather who would of died had then been wearing a seatbelt. One was eight when the family got into a fender-bender. The belt killed the nearly full-term infant his mother was carrying…even though she was wearing the belt correctly.

That’s really, really twisted. What next? No guns, no freedom of speach? Do people have the right to educate their own children?

Again, seatbelts save some lives, maybe even most lives. But some people DIE because of seat belts. You’re making an emotional argument based on faulty statitics.

There’s a difference between culturally acceptable apparel and the government enforcing a law that is terribly flawed.

Seatbelts “save” lives. 75% of accidents do not involve fatalities. However, with new rigirous saftey standards many of those people would of survived anyway. The 25% who die, likely may have died anyway.

Think about this, trains, busess and even school busses don’t have seatbelts…many don’t require kids to wear them if they do. Their is more danger of being injured by one than being saved in the types of crashes busses, trains and school busses get into.

Greetings Purplesunshine,

Becuase of this thread I am doing some personal research among my buddies at University and also my friends. Most of them that do not wear seatbelts either quote such things as you have quoted. We really do not know if someone would have survived if they had been wearing their seatbelts or not. It was their time to go. When it is one’s time to go they will end up going, nothing can prevent it.

I know some friends who have gotten worse internal injuries because they were belted in. Had they not been belted they would have escaped with only a broken wrist - which would have broken whether they were belted or not belted in.

I do know that becuase I drive without a seatbelt, I am a much more cautious driver than I would be if I was belted. I am super alert and very observant.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Anathama_Sit]

I tell you: you are not covered finantially. You dont know what you will be in…
And insurance does not cover sufferings, despair, loneliness, pain (maybe perpetual pain). I tell you, the next second you realize your situation, you would repent not to have worn a seat belt !!!
I know people…

Greetings Pfaffenhoffen,

How do you know I am not covered financially? Do you have access to my financial statements and my banks. I think that I should be able to determine whether I am financially covered or not based on the fact that I have access to these things.

I am quite taken aback by the fact that you say that I am not covered financially.

However, I think you are saying perhaps I am not prepared for the emotions that could come out of not wearing a seatbelt, am I correct? If so, then you are perhaps right. But I am aware of the consequences [possible consequences] that may arise out of my decision to not wear a seat belt. I have made my peace with them.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[purplesunshine]

Greetings Purplesunshine,

Becuase of this thread I am doing some personal research among my buddies at University and also my friends. Most of them that do not wear seatbelts either quote such things as you have quoted. We really do not know if someone would have survived if they had been wearing their seatbelts or not. It was their time to go. When it is one’s time to go they will end up going, nothing can prevent it.

I know some friends who have gotten worse internal injuries because they were belted in. Had they not been belted they would have escaped with only a broken wrist - which would have broken whether they were belted or not belted in.

I do know that becuase I drive without a seatbelt, I am a much more cautious driver than I would be if I was belted. I am super alert and very observant.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

Don’t get me wrong…seatbelts are a good prevention and you’re less likely to die if wearing one. However while people seem to believe that seatbelts prevent 99% of deaths, in reality and anacdotally, it seems more like 70/30 in favor of seat belts. Better chances but far from perfect. And imperfect enough for a person to make their own mind, not the government. Especally a government that wants to put a “sin tax” on candy and soda when obesity affects only 1/3 of the population…which is nearly the same percentage of people that could of survived without a seatbelt/died because of one.

 

[LemonAndLime]

Greetings Purplesunshine,

I can identify with the Pope on this one. I detest wearing seatbelts. I have not worn one ever since leaving my parent’s house. It is amazing that I have not one ticket to my record either. And I do quite a bit of driving internationally as well.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

Ah, those pesky laws which are there to stop yourself getting injured. I hate them too. How dare they look out for my welfare.

youtube.com/watch?v=6kYqjTA_VEg - For a few seconds of thought on what you just said. Note: Contains a graphic image of human anatomy, however this advert was shown during daytime on national television.

 

[Catholic90]

A seatbelt and the airbags SAVED my life 2 years ago. Without those, I certainly would have been propelled through the windshield. I also am a very alert and careful driver. Yet the OTHER guy was not and suddenly and unpredictably turned directly into my path. Despite the quick and sudden and forceful application of brakes, we collided. My vehicle was totalled.

My BIL is also an officer. He tells everyone he knows to wear seat belts, because he has had to notify families of fatalities where they certainly would be alive, except they were ejected and run over, or their head made it through the windshield while their body did not.

 

[PatrickSebast]

Seat belt laws are fine as far as I am concerned. For one, driving is not a right it is a privilege. You have to earn your license and certifications for other heavy machinery operation tends to be much more strict than that of automobiles. Secondly not wearing a seatbelt poses a risk to others since it means the driver is less likely to be properly situated in their seat and that during an accident the driver can be flung away from the proper place thus giving them less opportunity to apply the break or direct the car as needed and a greater chance of endangering someone else if their body become a projectile.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Greetings to everyone who has responded to this thread in regards to my not wearing a seatbelt,

I thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut but nothing will change my mind nor my choice as to wear a seatbelt or not. I will not wear one unless the cops are nearby.

I have heard all the arguments and totally respect and thank you for your time and effort that you have put into your responses. I thank you for your concern regarding my health. However, I choose not to wear a seatbelt.

So not that we have that over with, can we get back to learning more about the Faith and what really matters? Union with God? However if you wish to worry about things please by all means pray for me, I could totally use it. I think I face more of a peril next semester facing two degrees than not wearing a seat belt.

[You cannot see the smile on my face as I type this, in no means is this meant to be offensive or trite.]

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[LemonAndLime]

Greetings to everyone who has responded to this thread in regards to my not wearing a seatbelt,

I thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut but nothing will change my mind nor my choice as to wear a seatbelt or not. I will not wear one unless the cops are nearby.

I have heard all the arguments and totally respect and thank you for your time and effort that you have put into your responses. I thank you for your concern regarding my health. However, I choose not to wear a seatbelt.

So not that we have that over with, can we get back to learning more about the Faith and what really matters? Union with God? However if you wish to worry about things please by all means pray for me, I could totally use it. I think I face more of a peril next semester facing two degrees than not wearing a seat belt.

[You cannot see the smile on my face as I type this, in no means is this meant to be offensive or trite.]

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

I think, to be blunt, a kiss from your windshield might change your mind, but I truely say that I hope that would never happen - because forget worrying about your health, you’re unlikely to survive it.

Be praying for you. I wasn’t aware that legal, sane and sensible laws for your own health and protection were something you could reasonably make a decision/debate on.

 

[vz71]

Ah, those pesky laws which are there to stop yourself getting injured. I hate them too. How dare they look out for my welfare.

Exactly.
It should not be anyone elses business what kind of dangers I put myself in.

The seat belt law is yet another example of the nanny state mentality that is so corrosive to freedom.

 

[vz71]

Be praying for you. I wasn’t aware that legal, sane and sensible laws for your own health and protection were something you could reasonably make a decision/debate on.

Sane and sensible as the seat belt usage may be, it is something that should not be anyone elses business.
A law governing it corrodes freedom and liberty.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Exactly.
It should not be anyone elses business what kind of dangers I put myself in.

The seat belt law is yet another example of the nanny state mentality that is so corrosive to freedom.

Greetings Vz71,

And the helmet law too. I wonder how many laws could fit under this description.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Darryl1958]

Sane and sensible as the seat belt usage may be, it is something that should not be anyone elses business.
A law governing it corrodes freedom and liberty.

A government that pays your medical expenses owns your body.
It is bought and paid for through socialized medicine.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

A government that pays your medical expenses owns your body.
It is bought and paid for through socialized medicine.

Greetings Darryl1958,

Nope it does not own my body, no government does. Last time I checked I did not even own my body. God does.

Now before any of you guys respond, well if God owns your body should you not be buckling up to protect his holy temple. I respond, God gives us free choice. And as this is something that does not endanger my soul or go against Church Teaching, I mantain and hold to the right of deciding whether to be belted or not.

And secondly I pay for my own health care. So I choose for myself.

That kind of mentality leads to communism and socialism and all those other horrid isms that were the cause of so many atrocities of the last century. Have people not learned from history or are we doomed to repeat it?

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[LemonAndLime]

Exactly.
It should not be anyone elses business what kind of dangers I put myself in.

The seat belt law is yet another example of the nanny state mentality that is so corrosive to freedom.

Just like the laws against endangering others?

Think of it this way - those firefighters who have to cut your body out of your car because you didn’t wear your seatbelt, or those paramedics who had to attend to try and revive you (and then to declare you dead) or all that money then spent by the local authorities to clear up the crash site - and then all the money spent on the wages of those people who attended the accident, increased fees/payouts for insurance claims on any other vehicles involved, the amount of money spent on your funeral/your medical fees…

Yeah, you’re right, it shouldn’t be anyones business. Apart from the huge amount of taxpayer dollars spent on clearing up your mess, just because you exercised your “free will” to not wear a seatbelt. Look at your family next time you say that to yourself. You owe it to them to take every precaution for your safety.