Premium Essay

Faith and Diversity

In:

Submitted By Sds023822
Words 1913
Pages 8
Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity
Leslie Strifler
Grand Canyon University HLT-310V
July 27, 2014

Thesis Statement
With that being said, the differences and similarities of each religion’s methods of medical treatment will be discussed below, allowing the reader to better comprehend the complexities and intricacies of each different faith, with special consideration being paid to the way that each religion handles the use and practice of medical care and treatment.

Abstract
The worshiping of a higher power within the Jehovah Witnesses, Hinduism and Taoism are all very strong. The body is very sacred when death has occurred; many practices take place along with many rituals. The comparison between Christianity and the Baptist sect of the Christian faith is somewhat different, in a myriad of ways. Food is not such a priority within the Baptist religion and our values are prioritized in a different way. In this religion healthcare is respected in a way that the word from a physician is not doubted as much as the other religions. The past of medicine is not really accepted, we now consider what is the new, latest and greatest for our family members, whereas the other three religions value cultural rituals and elder’s knowledge for their own healing purposes.

Introduction
Within this paper, the primary topics of discussion concern themselves with three different religions, and the different ways they handle medical care and treatment. The three main religions that will be discussed include: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hinduism, and Taoism. Although each religion contains a myriad of differences, several of them subscribe to similar methods of medical treatment and care. With that being said, the differences and similarities of each religion’s methods of medical treatment will be discussed below, allowing the reader to better comprehend the complexities and

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Faith Diversity

...Diversity 1 Running Head: FAITH DIVERSITY Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Grand Canyon University: HLT-301V March 9, 2012 Diversity 2 Abstract In today’s world of cultural co-habitation, it is more important than ever for the healthcare provider to practice cultural competency. Culture competence is having the knowledge, abilities and skills to deliver care in keeping with the patient’s beliefs and practices (Purnell & Paulanka, 2008). The philosophy of healing, including the spiritual perspective and critical components of healing in the Shamanism, Hinduism, and Confucianism faiths differ vastly from the Christian philosophy. Since the majority of the population in the United States is Christian, an important tool in development of cultural sensitivity is a comparison of Christian healing beliefs with these others. Diversity 3 Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity The United States used to be called the “Melting Pot” because immigrants would acculturate and become “American”. This is no longer the case as more and more immigrants are holding on to their culture and beliefs. This often includes their philosophies on healing and spirituality. In order to compare other “faiths” with the Christian faith, a distinction needs to be drawn between religion and faith. The Free Online Dictionary defines religion as “a belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe” and faith as “a confident...

Words: 1397 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Faith Diversity We live in a multicultural society where we come in contact with various religions or denominations. To practice nursing competently, nurses need to be knowledgeable about various different faiths and be able to relate to patients of different cultures and faiths (Griffith, 2009). It is important for healthcare professionals and caregivers to understand faith diversity and their healthcare practices in order to provide them with holistically appropriate care (Griffith, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to discuss three types of faiths, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islamic, as compare and contrast with Christianity, what their perspectives and components are on healing, and healthcare implications when providing care. Perspectives and Components on Healing Buddhism Buddhism originated from Asia. This is a philosophy based on Buddha’s life, “The Enlightened One” (SDH, n. d.). Buddha taught us that suffering arises from our craving and attachment, that we can free ourselves from these attachments through meditation, a path of wisdom, and morality (SDH, n. d.). According to the Buddhist philosophy, they believe in healing inwardly, that the individuals are responsible for their own wellbeing and the nature of living determines their health (Unknown, 2012). Suffering is optional. Health is an important aspect of Buddhism and they believe that the body is a temple, is sacred and should be well care for and respected. The body should be kept pure and should not have...

Words: 1794 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Faith and Diversity

...Running head: HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY: FIRST Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft DeLana Henderson Grand Canyon University Abstract Christianity is a religion which solely believes in one God, the creator of the universe and all within it. There are many different branches of Christianity whose beliefs may vary from one to another. Buddhism, Hinduism and Muslim all have varying philosophies depending on culture, varying teachings and practices. Although there are countless religions, each different from the other, they all have the same purpose. It helps give us purpose and meaning to our lives. There are many similarities as well as differences between all religions. Religions have some sort of icon or symbol that they worship, but cannot see. All religions teach non violence, and have sacred rituals of which they perform. They all worship a God or Gods and all believe they have a final destination. Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft Introduction Healing is often thought of as something that comes from modern medical science, but many religions are now focusing on varying religious or spiritual beliefs to assist the healing process. For healthcare providers, it is important to understand basic religions and their beliefs, as it will provide more insight into how patients perceive and process their illness or disease. Christianity There are many different religious beliefs and practices depending...

Words: 1544 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Running Head: Faith Diversity Health Care Providers and Faith Diversity Jolly Allesh Grand Canyon University HLT-310V January 9, 2012 Abstract Health care providers care for patients from a number of different religious traditions and need to gain as much knowledge as they can, regarding such religions and their cultures to provide quality care. Three religions that are often encountered in health care are Baha’ism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. All of these religions share many similarities and, at the same time, have many differences. This paper answers the following questions about each religion: ‘What is the spiritual perspective on healing?’ ‘What are the critical components of healing, such as prayer, meditation, belief, etc?’ and ‘What is important to people of the particular faith when cared for by a health care provider whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own?’ It also compares these religions with Christianity and its philosophy of faith and healing. Health Care Providers and Faith Diversity The diversity in religions and faith beliefs is becoming more and more apparent in health care facilities today. As health care providers, our job is to show acceptance of a diversity of faith expressions. In order to do so, however, it is essential that we gain more information about different religions and how we can deal with such individuals in a hospital setting. Three faiths that will be discussed are Baha’ism, Buddhism and Sikhism. The Baha’i Faith can be encountered...

Words: 1612 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Faith Diversity We live in a multicultural society where we come in contact with various religions or denominations. To practice nursing competently, nurses need to be knowledgeable about various different faiths and be able to relate to patients of different cultures and faiths (Griffith, 2009). It is important for healthcare professionals and caregivers to understand faith diversity and their healthcare practices in order to provide them with holistically appropriate care (Griffith, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to discuss three types of faiths, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islamic, as compare and contrast with Christianity, what their perspectives and components are on healing, and healthcare implications when providing care. Perspectives and Components on Healing Buddhism Buddhism originated from Asia. This is a philosophy based on Buddha’s life, “The Enlightened One” (SDH, n. d.). Buddha taught us that suffering arises from our craving and attachment, that we can free ourselves from these attachments through meditation, a path of wisdom, and morality (SDH, n. d.). According to the Buddhist philosophy, they believe in healing inwardly, that the individuals are responsible for their own wellbeing and the nature of living determines their health (Unknown, 2012). Suffering is optional. Health is an important aspect of Buddhism and they believe that the body is a temple, is sacred and should be well care for and respected. The body should be kept pure and should not have...

Words: 1794 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Faith Diversity

...Running head: HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Tina D. Grand Canyon University: HLT-310V 6-28-2012 Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity In nursing, patients from many different backgrounds end up needing care. Nurses need to know their own faith, morals, and values when caring for these patients. When a nurse knows how they feel personally they will then need to learn about different backgrounds they may have to care for. Religious beliefs are a huge factor when patients are deciding what kind of care they want. Looking at different religions and how they perceive health and health care is very important in the learning process in how to take care of patients from different backgrounds or religions. In a comparison to Christianity: the Aboriginal faith community, Christian Science faith community, and Sikh faith community will be looked at. Aboriginal faith community includes people of Canada. They include more than fifty cultural language groups within Canada (Linda, 2009). In the Aboriginal faith community they believe health is holistic and is a balance of all aspects of life including physical, mental emotional, and spiritual. As Christians request anointing with oil during illness or when close to death Aboriginals do what is called smudging. Smudging is burning sweetgrass, sage, cedar and tobacco. Traditional healers or medicine men are the ones who perform smudging techniques...

Words: 1404 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Running head: A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY A Healthcare Provider and Faith Diversity: An In-Depth Look Christin Cockerum Grand Canyon University: HLT 310V 03/18/2012 A Healthcare Provider and Faith Diversity: An In-Depth Look Healing consists of many variables within individual beliefs and faiths. Whether it is non-traditional faiths or traditional beliefs each one is connected through meaning of a higher spiritual enlightenment. This could include a philosophy or religion base that healing is conducted through mind, body, and spirit that embrace prayers or other components to reach complete healing of an individual. Non-traditional beliefs such as Tibetan Buddhism, Native American and Hinduism can be connected in some aspects to the mainstream religions like Christianity while having differences to the approach of healing. It will be discussed that the non-traditional beliefs on the perspective of healing, the components of healing, the similarities and differences that these beliefs have with traditional Christianity religion. Buddhism Buddhism started out in India and spread throughout Asia. Buddhism can be described as a philosophy seeking religion and it focuses on these principles rather than beliefs. Christianity is the opposite as it is a religion seeking philosophy and focuses on beliefs. Choosing Tibetan Buddhism, there is a concept of well-being, that the mind, body and spirit are achieved in an effective and comprehensive strategy for...

Words: 1626 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Faith Diversity The United States is a very faith diverse country. There are people from all different cultures, religions, and faiths. Nurses must become educated about these different religious beliefs in order to provide appropriate care for their patients. “Personal faith is a reflection of an individual’s transcendent values and philosophy of life.” (O’Brien, 2008, p. 62) Nurses’ care for the ill and deal with many end of life situations. It is imperative that they understand their patients faith or “philosophy of life” in order to provide the type of care that will support them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. First Interview- Buddhism The first person that I interviewed was a friend that is practicing Buddhism. “The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's teachings, though they leave much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. More simply put, suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a cause to bring about its end.” (Public Broadcasting Station [PBS], n.d., para. 3) They believe in Karma (belief of the law cause and effect). According to my friend, they are private in their religious practices and would rather not discuss their beliefs. Healing is found in the belief in Buddha. She is a vegetarian and does not believe that harm should be done to animals. Buddha is known...

Words: 994 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Running head: HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY: FIRST Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft Carmen Jezierski Grand Canyon University Spirituality in Health Care HLT-310V Mrs. Rhonda Johnston October 16, 2011 Abstract The purpose of this paper was to identify three separate and completely different religious faiths, while comparing their views on healthcare with that of the Christian faith. The chosen faiths for this paper included Wicca, Muslim, and Atheism. This writer’s research has determined that although all three of these religions are completely different, they will all seek out a healthcare professional of another faith if an illness warrants. All faiths except for that of the Atheist faith will accept spiritual care in conjunction with physical care. Ultimately all faiths will take advice from a physician that may have a different set of beliefs than their own. In conclusion we as healthcare providers need to acknowledge our own faith, educate ourselves on other faiths and provide non biased care while setting aside our own personal beliefs. Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft Religion is defined as “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects” (Religion, n.d.). The term religion describes many types of belief systems. We as nurses need to be aware of each individual patient’s beliefs and respect the differences. By providing unbiased care to our patients...

Words: 1838 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Faith and Diversity

...Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Jill Gillespie Nursing 310 V Spirituality in Nursing Introduction: As nursing professionals, we are in constant contact with persons from many walks of life and who have unique spiritual and religious backgrounds. To give quality holistic care, nursing professionals need to be understanding and compassionate about these differences and respect the diversification of the patients that we treat. By having an open mind and actively seeking the knowledge to provide unbiased and compassionate care that incorporates each individual’s spiritual faith. To begin to understand differences between spiritual beliefs, three distinct faith practices were compared to the traditional Christian faith. Buddhism, Shintoism and Bahai philosophies were examined through patient interviews to gain the knowledge needed to provide compassionate nursing. A Christian perspective on Healthcare: Christianity is a religion of personal experiences. It is a spiritual movement, not a lot of theories or "isms." It is a movement of life, truth, the Holy Spirit, and love. The important thing is to have a personal, real experience. Through the right relationship with God we can recognize and understand the Lord's will. There are many ways in which we can experience God's blessings. I recommend fasting and prayer as the most powerful of these. The Bible has much to say about fasting and prayer. Joel wrote, "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with...

Words: 2179 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: Final Draft Grand Canyon University Spirituality in Healthcare HLT310 Mathew Hampton August 1, 2013 Abstract The medical field brings many different people of many faiths in contact with health care providers. Spiritual care is a crucial aspect of patient care spiritually allows patients to continue to practice their religious beliefs in the hospital setting is important for the overall healing of the patient. This paper will give comparison on the Christianity Faith and Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam faiths and healing methods. Every health care provider needs to be aware and respect the many religious and or spiritual needs a patient may have in order to allow optimum healing. Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: Final Draft Spirituality is essential to holistic practice as a health care professional (Faulkner, 2012, p. 77). Health care providers in all fields come in contact with multiple faiths and healing techniques. Multiple beliefs require medical personnel to have the basic knowledge of multiple faiths and religious beliefs. It is imperative for patients religious beliefs be respected and or allowed to practice during their hospital stay. Christianity is one of a few mainstream faiths. Other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam are not as well known. This paper will discuss and compare Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam with Christianity’s healing approaches and beliefs as well as the author’s personal...

Words: 1886 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Members of the healthcare team come in contact with a diverse multi-cultural environment on a daily basis. Every individual is just that an individual with a different worldview and varying faith background. To some individual’s, religion plays a very important role in their daily lives, while to others it may not seem to play a very big role. Newsweek (2009) polls since 1992 show religion is fairly to very important in the lives of 85% of people (as cited in Ashcraft, Anthony, & Mancuso, 2010). Numbers this high show that religion plays a major role to many and with that healthcare providers need to be aware of their own beliefs, while maintaining a respectful and supportive environment for the patients they are caring for and their beliefs. Patients along with nurses often look to their faith when in times of stress and illness. This paper will discuss the Native American spirituality philosophy compared to the Christian philosophy. Native American Spirituality According to the United States census (2000) “4.3 million people (1.5% of the total United States population) self-identified as American Indian or Alaska Native (as cited in Hubbert, 2008). Native American healing practices may include traditional healers such as medicine men and women, herbalists, and shaman who work to return the individual to optimal health. Rituals of healing and purification ceremonies, sand painting, spiritual chants, dancing, therapeutic sings, along...

Words: 1292 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Healthcare providers need to address key components of any faith in an open and compassionate manner to promote comfort and healing in all individuals. Respect for how an individual believes, the way they choose to allow growth in their belief system and how an individual chooses to maintain their spirituality are important aspects of the holistic approach to health care delivery Until June 8, 2008 my exposure to any religion had been forced by my parents or used as a way to get out of difficult or unwanted circumstances. On June 8, 2008, I had the first true and lasting heart conversion in my life. The journey since this time has been up and down with many trials and unwanted circumstances and the knowing that the Lord is with me to walk me through. Faith and spirituality are different from religion in my mind and I believe that the Lord meant for them to be different. Religion, to me, is legalistic rituals with rules that tell you what you should and should not do to get to heaven without any power to carry them out. Faith and spirituality go hand in hand and enables individuals to seek the power to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus in this present life. Spirituality can be defined as the way to find meaning, hope, comfort and inner peace and is characterized by acts of compassion and selflessness (Ehrlich, 2011). It is through faith and trust that spirituality is developed and made to grow. Acceptance of faith...

Words: 2250 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Faith Diversity

...Running head: Healthy Grief Healthy Grief Bincy Mathew Grand Canyon University HLT-310V Spirituality in Health Care December 18, 2011 Grieving Process by Kubler-Ross and the Story of Job The most painful part of the life is loss. Grief is a range of emotions and behaviors shown by people when confronted with a sudden loss. Kubler-Ross made a great contribution to the study of mourning in 1969 by introducing the “5 stages of grief”: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. In the book of Job, the brief prologue setting forth the story and the brief epilogue completing it sandwich a lengthy series of dialogues and monologues regarding the nature of and reasoning for suffering. Job’s visiting friends come to provide comfort and serve as both discussants and foils for his soliloquies. Each of the five stages of grief identified by Kubler-Ross may be clearly seen within the text of Job. Comparison and contrasts the grieving process and stages of Kubler-Ross to the story of Job. |Comparison |Contrasts | |The first stage is denial. First, he lost his wealth. Job lost all of |.Job in the biblical narrative is a contrast to the model he not only | |his children. Job 4: 18-20. After that, he physically afflicted with |does not display denial he never really express shock at the | |horrible boils all over his body. ...

Words: 890 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Healthcare and Faith Diversity

...NAME: COURSE: DATE: Abstract This essay compares the philosophies of three diverse faiths, which are: Buddhism, Baha’i and Judaism, comparing them to Christianity. The essay will explore the basic beliefs, spiritual perspectives on healing and the critical components of healing such as prayer, medication and beliefs. It will also explain what is important to people of those particular faiths when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own. In the conclusion, it will explain how the spiritual perspectives from different faiths should be incorporated in the health care progress by medical professionals so that they don’t interfere with their patients’ beliefs and practices. D’souza (2007) warns that doctors and clinicians should not “prescribe” religious beliefs or activities or impose their religious or spiritual beliefs on patients. Introduction The philosophy of providing health care may differ depending on the faith diversity in the world. Different religious groups have different spiritual perspectives on healing and may also believe in different components of healing. This study therefore explores the Buddhism, Bhai and Judaism faiths and compares them with the Christian philosophy of faith and healing. Buddhism Buddhism is an Indian religion that encapsulates a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who is commonly known as the Buddha. Buddha means “the awakened one” or “the...

Words: 1694 - Pages: 7