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Religion and medical ethics
Religion and medical ethics
Health care and wellness providers and faith diversity
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Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity “Faith, religion, and spirituality are distinct components of what defines many human communities and allow individuals to make sense of their experiences, including health and illness” (American Nursing Association [ANA], 2015). Nurses, as health care providers have a responsibility to care for all patients no matter what their spiritual or religious beliefs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of the philosophies of Christianity and Islam in regards to healthcare. The author will explore the common components as well as the unique worldviews seen in both religions, the belief that the Christian nurses must respect each patient while maintaining personal beliefs, and …show more content…
Both Christianity and Islam believe in the mortality of humans. The Bible and Qur’an express that God’s will for humans determines if they will live or die, but they should be responsible for caring for themselves. The Bible states “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NIV). A similar scripture from the Qur’an states "Everything good that happens to you (O Man) is from God, everything bad that happens to you is from your own actions" (An- Nisa’ 4:79, …show more content…
God recognizes that all humans are impacted by the fall from grace of Adam and Eve. He promised the ability for redemption and provided this atonement through the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. (GCU, 2015). This is supported in Bible by “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonian 4:14, NIV). Muslims believe they are predestined for an afterlife that begins when the physical body dies. (Charles & Daroszewki,
Religious Repression In what ways do countries differing religions affect our ever changing society? Does our diversity, combined with our lack of resources and overpopulation, ensure constant violence? I believe that the religious persecution of certain nations has been nothing more than denial of a human right. In Brave New World, Huxley predicts an all powerful government: “the world state”.
Nurses are faced with harsh realities everyday; but what happens when young lives are at stake and decisions are being handled by the parents. This paper will explore the ethical dilemmas that come with Jehovah’s Witnesses and pediatric patients. “Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination with many beliefs that stand out from mainstream Christianity. They are known for their potent evangelism and their unique translation of the Bible called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures” (Beliefnet, 2014). Some of the beliefs that Jehovah’s witnesses have involve many contemporary issues; they stand strongly against abortion, homosexuality, divorce and blood transfusions.
For those of us who work in an acute care setting nursing is more about vital signs, electrolyte imbalances, arrhythmias, respiratory status and mental status changes just to mention a few of the things that demand our attention on a day to day basis. However, at times we are faced with issues that call into play ethical decision and hence it is important to understand ethical concepts that can influence such decisions. Concepts such as scientism, relativism, post modernism have been recognized as playing a key role in the conflict between science and religion. A conflict that has hindered an important healthcare goal of holistic patient care (Grand Canyon University, 2015).
Through time, there has always been a question on the idea of another supernatural being, a greater power, or a God. People have grown up and been taught certain beliefs, and some have developed their own beliefs based on this idea of a higher power. There are then those who don’t believe in any such thing; they believe in the facts presented to them. As a whole, the specifics of this idea vary, and as a nurse, understanding of this must be achieved to successfully care for a patient. Hospitals are already known to have a depressing effect on patients, then added onto that are patients who are suffering from acute or terminal illnesses. Their pain in many ways, gets passed on to the nurses who have gotten close with them through the care, with the nurses then trying to reciprocate with comfort and support. Hospitals were developed from religion, emerging from the idea of helping those in need. Through time, hospitals modernized into what is seen today, but specialty areas have still kept the purpose for an improved quality of life then for a cure. These include hospice and palliative care facilities, which are known to support a positive outlook of life during difficult times. It can then be argued that patients turn to the idea of a “higher power” as support, strength, or a peace of mind, when facing the end of their life. This argument can be supported by the behaviors and ideas seen from various religious readings, and studies of hospice and palliative care nurses. Those involved in end of life care turn to “a greater power” for a sense of peace during their lowest, and hardest of times, similar to those in religious texts.
...to the tenets of the Muslim faith, death is the complete end of physical life and the beginning of a period of rest until the day of resurrection when Allah judges the living and the dead. Many Muslims believe that the righteous are able to see visions of God after death and that the wicked see visions of hell. Except for these possible visions of heaven or hell, Muslims believe the soul remains in a kind of "soul sleep" until Judgment Day. When the Day of Judgment arrives, everyone is judged according to their deeds in life. Many Muslims believe that non-Muslims can attain heaven only after a period of purification in the fires of purgatory. Spiritualism says that all people and animals that have been loved such as pets, continue to live after physical death. On crossing over we take three things with us: our etheric or spirit body, all memories and our character.
Religious diversity is the only ways Australia can move forward with the rest of the world. Australia is seen as a “multi-cultural” nation, and part of this is due to the diverse culture and customs. Australia as a nation doesn’t discriminate against other nations; one example of this is our prime minister. Spiritual diversity in Australia is undisputedly evident. Religious diversity in Australia is a great thing, because religions give back to the community and form things like: youth groups, clubs and charities. Australia’s charity system is almost entirely run by different religions, and a high percentage of these are Christians like the Salvation Army.
I am grateful to be at an institution of higher learning that understands and respects faith. My philosophy of nursing cannot be explained without God and Jesus. They are a part of each one of us. The reason that someone goes into a healthcare professional is usually to favorably treat a patient’s health. Spirituality of mind and body cannot be separated completely in my nursing philosophy. In this vein, nursing cannot be wholly separated from faith.
Many Christians believe that when a person dies, they enter into complete oblivion - a state of non-existence. They remain in dormancy. At the time of the second coming of Jesus, the dead are resurrected and judged. Those who had been saved while on earth will be given special bodies and go to Heaven unlike the unsaved who will go to Hell for eternal punishment (Robinson).
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
Christians believes that once they have lived a holy and acceptable life, when they die they will go to heaven to be with God. On the other hand, if you lived an unrighteous life you will be seen as a sinner and if you die without repenting of your sin, then your afterlife will be spent in hell. In the eyes of the righteous, death is seen as a time of happiness because family and friends have the confidence that the decease is in a better place and if they too live an acceptable life they will see their love ones again. Death is also seen as a time of sadness because the decease will be missed by friends and loved ones.
Nursing requires a tremendous amount of care both physically and psychosocially. Besides having a well-rounded medical knowledge, it is important for nurses to be aware of religious and cultural practices that are utilized in the world today. There is a multiplicity of different religious backgrounds and gaining knowledge on their differences and important traditions will allow nurses to provide competent care.
“The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.” “The central theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. God, Bahá'u'lláh said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.”
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.
My definition of religion has mostly stayed the same, but my perception of it has changed. At the beginning of the class, I assumed religion was something you believed based on your moral principles. I now believe that those moral principles are based on the religion that you believe in. Your religion changes your perception of the world and how to go about in it. Your religion tells you what is right and wrong in the world and answers all of the big questions one asks. Religion according to our book is, “A pattern of beliefs and practices that expresses and enacts what a community regards as sacred and/or ultimate about life” (Van Voorst 6). That definition was one thing that really got me thinking about my own personal idea of what religion
Growing up I was raised in a religious household, so, of course, I’m a big believer in God and my faith. To me, God is the creator of all and I believe Judgment Day is going to come very soon.The definition of faith is the belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion. My faith and the reason for my faith goes hand in hand because it makes me know the truth and opens my eyes to this world. Also, I get clarity of why I’m in this world which is to make it a better place. But seeing the world as faith with reason or reason with faith has a few challenges and can make things a little bit difficult. Same goes for science and religion which butt heads a lot. Some may feel that the Big Bang Theory created