EMS star of life evil?

[nanookadenord]

This week while working (I'm an EMT) I had some random person come up to me in a store and tell me that they are Christian (as am I) and that the emblem on my work shirt is evil because it has a serpent around a staff. That I must get rid of the shirt and repent of wearing it. I told them that I too am a Christian, as I am Catholic, and that I cannot remove the shirt as it is part of my uniform and they told me that I then have to quit my job if I want to be saved. I said to them that all EMS jobs have this emblem attached to it and if it's not on the uniform somewhere it is on the ambulance and is the symbol that represents EMS as a whole. They told me that I must leave EMS then if I want to be saved and walked off.

This isn't the first time that I have heard of this, although is the first time it has personally happened to me. I read this online a long time ago as well.

I do not believe the EMS star of life to be evil and is a symbol to people that we are there to help, to provide medical care and get them to a hospital, or to dialysis or a doctor appointment.

Am I wrong?

 

[Albion]

Where does that emblem come from and what is it supposed to represent?

 

[nanookadenord]

Where does that emblem come from and what is it supposed to represent?

One reference to it's origins goes back to the Greek mythological god of medicine and healing, Asclepius and his rod, the Rod of Asclepius. The other significant reference is to Moses and the bronze serpent on a staff where people were bitten by serpents and were told to look at the staff and they were healed. The latter being from the DOT which regulates EMS.

Each branch of the star symbolize the six main tasks executed by EMS:

1. Detection -- The first rescuers on the scene, usually civilians or those involved in the incident, observe the scene, understand the problem, identify the dangers to themselves and the others, and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety on the scene (environmental, electricity, chemicals, radiation, etc.).

2. Reporting -- The call for professional help is made and dispatch is connected with the victims, providing emergency medical dispatch.

3. Response -- The first rescuers provide first aid and immediate care to the extent of their capabilities.

4. On-scene care -- EMS practitioners arrive and provide immediate care to the extent of their capabilities on-scene.

5. Care in transit -- The EMS practitioners proceed to transfer the patient to a hospital via ambulance or helicopter for specialized care, and provide medical care during transportation.

6. Transfer to definitive care -- Appropriate specialized care is provided at the hospital.

 

[nanookadenord]

Here it is for reference.

I do not feel a conviction because it is part of my uniform or a part of EMS as a whole.

 

[GeorgeJ]

This week while working (I'm an EMT) I had some random person come up to me in a store and tell me that they are Christian (as am I) and that the emblem on my work shirt is evil because it has a serpent around a staff. That I must get rid of the shirt and repent of wearing it. I told them that I too am a Christian, as I am Catholic, and that I cannot remove the shirt as it is part of my uniform and they told me that I then have to quit my job if I want to be saved. I said to them that all EMS jobs have this emblem attached to it and if it's not on the uniform somewhere it is on the ambulance and is the symbol that represents EMS as a whole. They told me that I must leave EMS then if I want to be saved and walked off.

This isn't the first time that I have heard of this, although is the first time it has personally happened to me. I read this online a long time ago as well.

I do not believe the EMS star of life to be evil and is a symbol to people that we are there to help, to provide medical care and get them to a hospital, or to dialysis or a doctor appointment.

Am I wrong?

No, you're not wrong. Some folks try to look for evil in anything. Back in the 70s, some folks were claiming the Proctor and Gamble emblem was satanic and that if you used anything made by them you risk eternal hell fire. Oh, and did you know that the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls are the devil's receptacle? There are also others to numerous to mention.

It's all ridiculous nonsense. Live your life and ignore the noise from the Pharisees and crackpots.

If you want biblical support for the serpent/staff look no further than this:

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived." -Moses, Numbers 21:8-9

...it is a symbol of healing....

 

[Sanoy]

When that person's daughter or husband has a heart attack I'm sure they will be perfectly willing to have the EMS come save them, crest and all. It's like going to a restaurant on Sunday so you don't have to "work". It's just superficial appearances. Why would anyone tell you to leave a job of saving lives just because of a crest that was also used in Greece as well as the Bible.

 

[Albion]

Here it is for reference.

I do not feel a conviction because it is part of my uniform or a part of EMS as a whole.

Having seen the emblem many times but not having given it much thought, I appreciate the explanation. And now that we know where it comes from, that person's accusation doesn't seem at all convincing.

On the other hand, if we discount the serpent theme, he'd come back with the 'false gods' charge, in all likelihood. Of course, this is all just interesting banter; there's no reason to think he's representative of anything that should give you a moment's discomfort.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

It is your faith in Jesus that saves you not an emblem, you already know
what the emblem means/represents.
The point is, you aren't worshiping the emblem or upholding it as your god.
...similarly, as Daniel was serving in a pagan king's court he was attired in
their fashion and educated by their scholars etc...this doesn't make Daniel
a pagan...Daniel continued to worship the One True God and would do so
even if it cost him his life.
Be like Daniel.