Religion's Place in Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I often read Billy Graham's column and thought today's was particulary pertinent to our profession. I'm just curious as to your own personal thoughts and feelings on the matter. (Please, no screaming at one another...this is not a debate.)

Dear Dr. Graham,

I'd like to be a Christian, but I have a hard time believing that Jesus rose from the dead. You see, I'm an intensive care nurse, and I know that once a person dies, that's the end. Maybe you can help me get past these doubts. -- Mrs. K.W.

Dear Mrs. K.W.:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the most important event in all history -- and yes, incredible as it may seem, it really did happen.

In fact, it might interest you to know that one of the Gospels was written by a medical doctor (Luke). Like you, he knew that death is final and irreversible -- and yet he also gave us one of the most extensive accounts of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Why? Because he had thoroughly investigated the evidence for Jesus' resurrection for himself and he knew only one conclusion was possible: Jesus had come back from the dead.

Why is the resurrection important? Why did God raise Jesus from the dead? One reason was to prove that Jesus was who He said He was: the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. The Bible says that He "was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:4). The resurrection sets Jesus apart from every other person who has ever lived.

But the resurrection points to an even greater truth: Death has now been conquered! The grave is not the end, but heaven's doors are now open! Jesus is alive, and He wants to come into your life today. Why not discover this great truth for yourself by turning to Christ today?

Edited to remove the dead link that stretched things past the edge of the screen - hope it makes it easier to read :)! - Ratched

psychomachia- Have you looked up the person I was talking about? Josh McDowell, he was an atheist just like you but while trying to prove atheism, he proved the existence of God. I would suggest you look him up. Since you are so hard core you might be interested in seeing what he has to say. Do a web search.

Here are some folks who deconverted that you might like to read about.

http://www.ffrf.org/lfif/

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/robert_price/humanist.html

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/testimonials/hobbs.shtml

http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/vincent_runyon/left_ministry.html

http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/rupert_hughes/why_i_quit_going_to_church.html

http://www.infidels.org/electronic/email/ex-tian/stories.html

And some more testimony

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=35947

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Here are some folks who deconverted that you might like to read about

People have interesting thoughts

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IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A MIRACLE IF jESUS HAD BEEN COMATOSE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HAS HAPPEN IS THE BEGINING OF FAITH VIRGIN BIRTH AND RISING FROM THE DEAD WERE NO LESS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE AT THAT TIME AND THEY ARE TODAY THESE PEOPLE (THE APOSTLES) WERE NOT FOOLS BUT HAD TO HAVE FACTS PROVEN TO THEM

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so i will never ever be convinced that god exists, because i know he does, and he is my friend, lover, confidant, savior, father, brother , and future husband. i live to serve him through the holy spirit he gave to me when i told him i was finished with the hunk of trash i was, and gave myself over to him to do with whatever he wished.

amen to that...can i get a witness? :chuckle

topcat

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And because they deconverted this proves what

too much logic

not enough faith

or what

It proves nothing at all, which was my point.

Duckboy thought reading a book about an atheist converting to theism would have a profound effect on another poster. I wondered if Duckboy knew that previously devoutly religous people convert from theism to non-theism, too.

edited to correct spelling of "Duckboy".

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undefinedARIAL BLACK

It proves nothing at all, which was my point.

Duckboy thought reading a book about an atheist converting to theism would have a profound effect on another poster. I wondered if Duckboy knew that previously devoutly religous people convert from theism to non-theism, too.

edited to correct spelling of "Duckboy".

I BELIEVE THAT SOME PEOPLE "LOSE THEIR FAITH" BUT I THINK THAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE A LINGERING DOUBT SOMEHOW COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MEN CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
undefinedARIAL BLACK

I BELIEVE THAT SOME PEOPLE "LOSE THEIR FAITH" BUT I THINK THAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE A LINGERING DOUBT SOMEHOW COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MEN CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION

I'm more of the camp in which common sense tells me that the accomplishments of men are no more than that. And evolution is provable, so it is. One could also say, it takes more common sense to doubt the existance of god than to have blind faith that he exists. In no way do I imply having faith is not a good thing. It just isn't indicative of common sense.

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undefinedARIAL BLACK

I BELIEVE THAT SOME PEOPLE "LOSE THEIR FAITH" BUT I THINK THAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE A LINGERING DOUBT SOMEHOW COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MEN CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY EVOLUTION

First, shouting is not necessary. This has been a civil and interesting discussion and as in most discussions, shouting louder than anyone else doesn't make you 'righter'.

Second, you may 'believe' that atheists "always" have 'lingering doubt" but you would generally be wrong in that belief (see the previous links I posted if you dare).

Third, evolution and the "accomplisments of men" are not related. The two things have nothing to do with each other.

Finally, common sense is not a hallmark of faith.

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Duckboy thought reading a book about an atheist converting to theism would have a profound effect on another poster. I wondered if Duckboy knew that previously devoutly religous people convert from theism to non-theism, too.

I don't know where you got the idea that I thought this book would have a "profound" effect on another poster so you can get off my back. The purpose of me putting that on there for that poster to look at was so maybe they could see my point of view from a person who used to be an atheist.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

He Lives

I serve a risen Savior He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

He lives He lives Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

He lives He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

Jesus Christ became my Lord and Savior when I was 18 years old. What a profound change He brought about in my life! Without dispute, the biggest miracle is that of the new birth, being "born again." :balloons: In the years following, He has become my best friend, my advocate, my all sufficiency in time of distress, and the good shepherd of my soul. I know in whatever circumstance He leads me that I have been made "complete" in Him. My one desire in life is to know Him and to love Him more. For He truly is the lover of my soul.

Jesus Christ also healed me of Type 1 ("juvenile") diabetes (yes, I was on insulin and yes this was confirmed by my doctor who was a renowned endocrinologist in a university teaching center--he had NO explanation for this occurrence). That was over 30 years ago and I have been in excellent health since then--even going through two pregnancies without any S/S of diabetes.

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Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

I'm with you all the way on that one my friend. Did you read my earlier post? I gave a testimont on how I know He exists, and what He has done for me. It's post number 167

Jesus Christ became my Lord and Savior when I was 18 years old. What a profound change He brought about in my life! Without dispute, the biggest miracle is that of the new birth, being "born again." :balloons: In the years following, He has become my best friend, my advocate, my all sufficiency in time of distress, and the good shepherd of my soul. I know in whatever circumstance He leads me that I have been made "complete" in Him. My one desire in life is to know Him and to love Him more. For He truly is the lover of my soul.

Jesus Christ also healed me of Type 1 ("juvenile") diabetes (yes, I was on insulin and yes this was confirmed by my doctor who was a renowned endocrinologist in a university teaching center--he had NO explanation for this occurrence). That was over 30 years ago and I have been in excellent health since then--even going through two pregnancies without any S/S of diabetes.

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