Introduction:
In this paper I will discuss not only my own views on spirituality and how they will affect my ability to provide spiritual care to my patients but also the spiritual needs of the disabled children and their parents. My own spirituality comes from a Secular Humanist point of view and according with that belief system I believe that everyone should be treated equally and fairly based on the sole fact that they are people. When discussing the spiritual needs of disabled children and their parents I will touch on their need for understanding, empathy and social outlets to help them connect better and to receive support from those around them.
My Own Description of Spirituality:
The best way to describe my feelings on my own spirituality as a secular humanist is to quote from The International Humanist & Ethical Union, “Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for building a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views and reality”.
Secular Humanism, to me, means that everyone has the right to make their own decisions regarding their own lives without fear of judgment or persecution from other people. I also believe that people are generally good and will do the right thing if given the right information and knowledge to make those decisions. I do not feel that I need anything supernatural to tell me what is right and what is wrong, that through reason and free thought I can figure it out on my own. This is why I tend to relate ...
... middle of paper ...
...them find the resources they need to fulfill their spiritual needs.
Summary:
In this paper I discussed my own spirituality. The fact that I am a secular humanist means that I believe that everyone should be treated with respect and cared about in a nonjudgmental way. I also discussed what it means for me as a nurse and how I plan to utilize it in the care of others spiritual needs. I researched and discussed disabled children and their parent’s spiritual needs and the nursing interventions that can be utilized. The families with disabled children need to feel like their children are being treated the same as everyone else in regards to their spiritual needs, and feel that they are welcomed in the congregation they choose to worship with. They also want their health providers to understand that their spiritual needs are just as important as their physical health.
Spirituality hasn’t played an important role in my life thus far, as my initial understanding of the concept has always been related to religion. Growing up, my mother’s sides of the family were firm believers in god, and Christianity. Neither my mother, nor my father ever included religion into their lives, or mine. In fact, religion created a barrier within our family dynamics for as long as I can remember. My aunt was married to a priest and during our family dinners he would pull me aside to read bible versus. My parents were not happy once they realized that my uncle was doing this with me behind their backs. This marked the beginning of divergence between my mother and aunt’s side of the family. It wasn’t until my grandparents passed
Ever since she was a child, Christine Enockson had a passion for education. Living in a small Wisconsin town, it was rare for there to be a child with special needs. Once Christine, or Chris as many people call her, discovered how school was different for these children, she passionately pursued a career to help those children. This passion led her to decide to be a foster parent. Throughout her life, Chris has made a difference in the lives of many children, including her own. Even though Chris has faced many hardships in her life, she continues to stay positive because of her faith. Chris’s help with special needs children and foster care have helped her faith cultivate and she is currently inspiring others to serve God and others in the
Secular Humanism and Biblical Worldview are beliefs with different worldview meanings. Secular Humanism is a belief that doesn’t believe in the God. Biblical worldview is a belief in God and his word. Secular humanism worldview believes that man exist and found only nature. In secular humanism world science is source for knowledge and existence. In the Christian worldview has belief in everything that existence such as man, God, and other things. Christians also believes there will be eternal life and secular humanism believes when man dies life is over.
The words “Secularism” and “Religion” are used to describe abstract concepts with subjective definitions. As distinct as they are, they also act as mirrors to each other; as one cannot survive without the other to push against, no matter what definition is given to them. These words as defined by various writers, feminists, scholars and historians can be used to define and query these two categories. Gross, Castelli, Cady & Fessenden, Mahmood, Braude and Moallem use examples, culture, and opinions to define each in a different way. While they may be categories, secularism and religion are also answers to some of mankind’s biggest questions; but ultimately they are one in the same and seek to unite followers under a common cause.
Developing a sense of wholeness and having an established relationship with their creator, can assist the individual with maintaining stability during times of illness, stress, or when a cure is not possible. This can facilitate a source of healing within, which will promote the health of members in the faith based community. “To promote healing, the nurse builds on strengths to encourage the connecting and integrating of the inner spiritual” (Stanhope, Marcia, & Lancaster, 2012, p. 972). Connecting with the inner spiritual is an important aspect because it can assist the individual with making healthier lifestyle choices. By making healthier lifestyle choices, the individual will achieve their optimal health or wellness and this will be beneficial for the individual and faith based
There is no doubt that today in modern society there is a big emphasis on human rights and the freedom of the conscience. Secularism can be viewed as good or bad. One thing is certain, and that is that many people fear secularism will take over. Instead of everyone being conservative they will have a secular view. It is much easier for society to understand secularism. Civilization wants to be free and they want the right to have their own beliefs. No one is going to agree with everyone and no one is going to have or follow the same God or beliefs. Unfortunately, religion will be what separates and divides us as individuals and as a nation.
Throughout history, it seems that medicine and spirituality have been linked in many circumstances. In a study looking at the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cardiac patients, spiritual healing was one of many practices patient sought to utilize. In another study, 29% of participants chose to use prayer or premeditation as a way to cope with their chronic illness. In both studies, prayer or meditation was more likely to be used by individuals who had a large social network, as well as support from another person in the same health situation. Based on these studies, it seems that many individuals (not just cardiovascular patients) turn to their spirituality in times of health distress.
Now, on the other end of the religious spectrum, lies the religious humanists; and though they do respect historical religions and mans humble beginnings, they are more concerned with present day man and that of the future. Religious humanists are concerned with maintaining social well- being and establishing social interactions and communication. Also, religious humanists believe in bettering ones life through achievements and reason rather than religious hopes and faith. They (religious humanists) associate personal happiness, and a better human condition with the self and those around us rather than a god.
Religion is a significant aspect of culture that must be understood and respected. Through understanding the differences in peoples cultures, a nurse who is tending to a patient who’s beliefs differ from his or her own can appropriately adjust care to respect the patient’s beliefs and
The term of secularism comes from Latin, Saeculum that has two connotations which are “time” and “location”. The “time” refers to present and the “location” refers to the world. Then Saeculum means the recent age or pres...
In healthcare organizations, medical staff must conform to their hospital and their country’s code of conduct. Not only do they have to meet set standards, they must also take their patient into consideration. When making a decision upon a patient, medical staff must recognize religious backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. By understanding a patients’ beliefs and their belief system, a medical worker can give the patient their deserved medical assistance without overstepping boundaries or coming off as offensive. The practices and beliefs of four religions will be articulated throughout this essay to fully understand how religion can either help or hinder the healing process.
Secularised ethics can be defined as “The basic principles of right action, especially with reference to a particular person, profession etc.” Christian ethics however cannot be as simply defined. Ethical values of Christians cannot be reduced to a set of rules that can be easily followed and obeyed. A definition that gives an idea of Christian Ethics can be given in this form,
Thus, my definition of the term secularism is not denouncing religion to an anti-religious belief but rather viewing secularism as a point of view that reflects the change in society to seek answers and meet the needs of people without taking on religious perspective. “The shift towards secularism does not mean that Christian symbols and values ceased to play an important role in Western culture and political life but rather increases emphasis on reason and scientific investigation even of scriptures- it did not diminish Christians faith” (Willard G., Oxtoby & Alan F. Segal, 2007, p 181). Secularism relies more...
Rex Smith, A. (2009). Nursing and spirituality: What happened to religion. Journal of Christian Nursing, 26(4), 216-222. doi:10.1097/01.CNJ0000361243.35944.69
Encarta Dictionary says that Humanism is a system of thought that centers on human beings and their values, capacities and worth. Encarta also goes on the say that, in philosophy, humanism is an attitude that emphasizes the dignity and worth of an individual. A basic premise of humanism is that people are rational beings who possess within themselves the capacity for truth and goodness. I see myself as a being a humanist through everyday life. I always try to see the good in a person when he/she makes me angry or sad, and say I to myself that maybe that person has had a bad day and living life is difficult at the moment. Socrates was even an early humanist of sorts. He can be quoted as saying, "to know the good is to do the good." He believed that nobody voluntarily commits an evil act because evil comes from ignorance, ignorance being not stupidity, but having a lack of knowledge. If all people thought as humanists, would peace be spread across the globe?