In the News: Pediatrician Refuses Patients with Tattooed Parents
Sunday February 18, 2007
Tasha Childress' daughter was sick, so Tasha took her to Christian Medical Services to see Dr. Gary Merrill. But instead of kind, empathetic, Christian care from this "upstanding" doc, what Tasha and her daughter got was pointed toward the exit door. Dr. Gary Merrill refused to even see the child because her mother has tattoos and body piercings.
Take a moment to allow that to sink in....
Dr. Gary Merrill feels that people with tattoos and piercings are offensive to his sensitive Christian constitution, and therefore refuses to allow anyone that wears them into his office. He says that belief is clearly stated in a sign on his office wall, which states, "This is a private office. Appearance and behavior standards apply.” Those behavior standards also include a ban on gum chewing.
I'm sure Jesus would have done the same.
Comments
Honestly…thats just disgusting…I am Catholic, always have been, always will be…I’m 18 and I have 5 tattoos and more piercings than I can count…none of which are visible at first glance…he may view that as ugly and sinful, but shame on that man, his ignorance has blinded him, for only an ugly and sinful person would do what he did…i am sure that any and every soul who, like myself, has modified their bodies with tattoos, piercings, or both, would never in their lives turn away an ill child in need of their care…the child’s mother could be a serial killer and it would be irrelevant to the child’s needs…that being said, that so called “doctor” better get his ass to confession, because hes going to have a lifetime full of repenting to do…
Makes me ashamed to be a Christian.
I wouldn’t want anyone that ignorant near my child or giving me advise.
Jesus was quite aware that there were people that called themselves believers but really weren’t and unloving actions are evidence. So, it’s disappointing to experience prejudice but not surprising unfortunately.
I can not imagine who would want to go to a physician that can’t see beyond the surface. I can’t imagine what poor advise he would give out.
WHAT A DICK!!!!! IM SURE HIS CRISTIAN ASS WILL BURN IN HELL… A SICK CHILD IS A SICK CHILD … HE SHOULD BE BURNED ALIVE… PIDIFUL.. THATS WHY I DON’T GO TO MANY DOCTORS THERE QUACKS
this is the sickest thing ive ever heard of…….it makes me so glad im a loud proud tattooed pierced PAGAN…….children are the most precious gifts on earth, and should never be judged on anything, never mind their parents……to refuse to help a sick child earns you a special place in your own christian hell…..
Raven Darkmoon…
Christian my ass!!!Anyone that would deny a sick child becasue if the child’s mothers body art is anything but a good christian.Abd i doubt that he is that great of a doctor.Any of his patients with any common sense would boycott his practices.
I would love to say what I’m thinking, but as this site has a large age variation, I’ll keep most of it to myself.
To be short blunt: That’s a load of crap, and something needs to be done about it.
Some Christian! What happened to throwing stones at glass houses or even the golden rule, or judge not, least ye be judged? And, in fact, if he’d read the Bible very carefully, there is a passage that says, Jesus said, I will put your name on my thigh. Sounds like a tattoo to me. I have over 30 tattoos and you can bet my doctor’s office employees gather around when I show up to see the newest addition.
What a pathetic excuse for a doctor. This is just ridiculous!
I work at caribou coffee and meet many interesting people. A man who came in about 2 weeks ago had more piercings than i had ever seen on one man, full tattoo sleeves, and was telling me about his dragon back piece. Some how we got on to the topic of how he was frequently judged, not just that but most of the people judging him went to church with him. He explained to me that he was a strong Christian and that the way he looks should have nothing to with what people think of him. He went on to tell me about how Jesus was radical for his time, and did things that caused people to frequently judge him. He finished by saying “if Jesus was around today he would probably be covered with tattoos and piercings and do things that would be radical for our time”
Leaving aside how this doctor might feel about his Christian beliefs, there’s a much more direct set of personal convictions he should have taken in mind: the Hippocratic Oath.
“I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug…I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm…If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.”
What a disgrace to the profession!! Next thing on his list will be No Disabled People Allowed because they do not meet his warped standards!! Do not judge based on looks, color etc!! Shame shame shame!!
For let me do no harm!!! What if that child would have died on the way to the next Dr. office or hospital? Even the bottom man in class is called DOCTOR!! What ashame.
A few things: The 13th Amendment to the Constitution: No one may be compelled to take employment.
First Amendment: The man has that thing called Freedom of Religion.
Next: This is a private business, and he has the right to set the rules. He enjoys Freedom of Association.
And finally: That woman could have taken the kid to any E.R. in Bakersfield, CA.
There is no such thing as a right to force any man to set aside his beliefs.
He’s running a business – and as such, he has the right to decline to treat any customers.
I think that is rediculous, Drs. similarly follow an oath like public servants ie; Police, Firemen, ect. It shouldnt matter who they are. I am a catholic, i believe in God and so does my family. If my dr. said anything like that to me she would be going against all those years of training he/she endured and all that money he/she spent to keep people healthy and SAVE LIVES.
What a…….waste of a medical career.
I would say that this is far worse than those parents that choose via RELIGION to not use modern medicine/ medication, to save the life of their child, being either terminally ill, or in grave danger because of neglect from the parents… friggen whackos
I agree with all of the above comments. I’ll apologize to you all having read them after i left my comment, although i’m friggen mad about freaks like that, we the public can help set the standard for Dirty wastes of life like that. i’ll be seeing him on the long line of people i’ve promised to meet on the other side.
See you in hell a**hole.
Ok first off, it may be his business BUT as a doctor he shouldn’t deny a sick child what the child needs and deserves. Second off, what happened to JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED. This man is neither a true doctor or christian. I hope his business suffers over this kind of behavior. I wonder what his answer for it will be on judgement day when he has to explain his reasons to God. The God that I know will not excuse this kind of behavior. If his study of medicine is anything like the study of his bible(or apparent lack of it) the poor child was better off being seen by another doctor.
Okay you know what just because a mother has tattoos and piercings it doesnt mean that they are not a christan. I have tattoos and piercings and if a doctor rufueses to see my son i would go into his office and bitch slap him. And i dont think Jesus would do the same thing. Jesus loves everybody and it doesnt matter what you look like. Jesus loves everybody and I also dont think Jesus would turn me down because i have tattoos and piercings when my time comes to stand in front of the golden gate. If Jesus only take people who let say has blonde hair, blue eyes really skinny and preppy then a lot of people are going to hell but he doesnt he doesnt care how you look all he cares if you believe in him and thats it. I can careless how the mother looks. She came in with a sick child and that so called dick of a doctor turned a child down. What would happen if that child died then that child’s blood would be on his hands. I think she should have sued his ass. Well thats about it. I might right more later
I am embarrased (sp) to call myself a christian. I am a modded person and know that Jesus/ God tells us to come as we are. If we all waited to come to him after we got cleaned up what would be the need to come. Jesus/ God love us all for our heart and the ability to follow His commandments. The Bible says that God is Love that doctor was certainly not a reflection of love.
Once again: Medicine is a BUSINESS. This man has certain standards. Don’t like it? You are free to hire another physician.
Leviticus specifically says No tattoos.
No matter how sick the person may be, no one can force him to abandon his beliefs.
A government that would allow that could also dictate which gods we must obey.
The 13th Amendment protects all of us.
LG, are you on crack?
Medicine is not a business like any other. Being a doctor, a healer, means you have taken the Hippocratic Oath. If taking that oath was against this man’s religion, he should have found himself another vocation.
Forget legalisms; morally speaking, he cannot refuse treatment to a person – a child – just because he doesn’t like the way her mama looks. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in a long time. I’m no Christian, but even I know what Gary Merrill’s savior would have done in his place.
Again, this isn’t about the Constitution. It’s about the practice of medicine, which is quite a bit older than both the US Constitution and Christianity. This “doctor” is a disgrace to himself.
#14 LG: This is not a legal issue. Certainly Merrill was within his legal rights. This is a moral and ethical issue. Merrill is an unethical, immoral a** hat.
Moses liked tattoos! Follow the 10 commandments, not Leviticus. If you follow Leviticus, you can’t trim your beard either. This guy is not a true Christian. True Christians love thier neighbors as your-self. This sounds like hate, or works of Satin.
it might say no tattoos in leviticus 19:28 but you must have skipped 19:27 because it says that men should never trim their beards or cut their hair. most “christians” have allowed those things to be passed without much thought because it’s the “norm” in today’s society. does it not sound ridiculous that God would not allow a man into heaven because he cut his hair and bear? i think it does. so what makes you think he wouldn’t allow someone because they have tattoos.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…what a tosser!!!
I am a born again Christian (please keep reading) and a tattoo enthusiast … let me say that this is doctor might be a Christian, at least in name, but please do not associate him with the rest of us.
It’s a sad fact that humans are bound to make mistakes and do wrong, and I won’t judge him … nevertheless, some people make it really hard for other people to call themselves Christians by giving us a bad rap.
Please don’t associate people like this with Christ or other Christians. Nobody’s perfect. It’s obvious that Christ would care for anyone (lepers, Samaritans, prostitutes, tax collectors) and so would a Christian. I hope this guy reads the Gospels before ever identifying himself as a Christian in public again. I’m not trying to be mean about it, because I’ve pulled some real stupid moves in my day and haven’t always felt worthy of the name “Christian.”
Anyway, I pray God’s blessing and peace for all.
-John
P.S. not all Christians are Republicans, televangelist fans, or G-rated movie-only type people, either. Some of the most open-minded and prolific thinkers of our day have been believers in Christ (though some of us have been sheltered, so try to understand that everyone has a different background.)
This man is a charlatan. Whadda putz. Seriously, people: send a note, make a call, write a full-fledged letter. The Calif. Med. Board website: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/
►►►►►Call/write to:
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
CENTRAL COMPLAINT UNIT
1426 HOWE AVENUE
SACRAMENTO, CA. 95825
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIF. TELEPHONE #S:
TEL.: (800) 633-2322 or (916) 263-2424
FAX: (916) 263-2435
This doctor can claim to be a Christian until he himself is blue in the face however I have never met a Christian to this day to turn someone away. A Christian knows that everyone walking on this earth could in fact be one of God’s angels and everyone is treated with respect. This doctor turned away a sick child in their time of need. God has seen it and I am sure frowned upon what he has done. It isn’t a matter of what he has a right to do since he owns the business, it’s a matter of what is morally wrong from right. So therefor Doctor you can blame your religion all you want but your no Christian you’re just an arrogant selfish man who can’t deal with his own life.
My tattooed money is as green as anyone elses. If this guy wants to practice medicine this way he needs to fins a nice little compound and practice on all the fanatics he likes. L.G. I hope all your kids tattoo DAD on thier butts
Its the doctors right to treat whomever they want. The freedom of speech and all those things!!! I do think the doc should have refered the child to another place, if that was a problem, the doc should have treated the child, then refered. (Legal thing to do)