Religion's Place in Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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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

Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
Unfortunately as in all things we only notice the stuff that bothers us. We complain when something we purchased is not up to par but rarely acknowledge that something we purchased is great.

Having said that, I wish that folks wouldn't categorize all Christians as expecting you to be perfect and as someone who shoves their religion down your throat. My experience is so very different. The church I go to is very open and accepting and loving. I have had some experiences with Christians that you have described but the majority are not.

steph

You are so correct, steph. I certainly do not mean to finger all christians, but those who do behave badly seem to scream it from the roof tops, which is a bad thing for the majority of those who are respectful of others beliefs. I have close friends who are christian, but they do not tell me I am going to hell or attempt to persuade me to their faith. If they think it, they have enough respect for me to zip it and I appreciate that. I respond in kind. We don't talk about our differences; rather we enjoy our similarities.

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Many people who come to nursing do so because they either know directly or sense that it is one of the greatest tools for building the Kindgom of God. Naturally, there will tend to be more Christians than any other religion for that reason.

The Monist

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Many people who come to nursing do so because they either know directly or sense that it is one of the greatest tools for building the Kindgom of God. Naturally, there will tend to be more Christians than any other religion for that reason.

??? :confused: ??? :confused:

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So you are a devote believing Christian because fear of eternity...so that is the basis of your Faith.

My faith is just that. I do not have Faith because I "fear" something...I have Faith in G-d because I believe in him with all my heart and soul.

Not because of some trivial chosing between the lesser of two possible punishments. That would be rather poor reason to espouse a Faith.

I could not ever espouse Faith in Christianity because of such a trivial reason. Faith is Faith. You cannot believe in something merely because it is the better bet. And you cannot force someone to believe in what they do not, because of some ambiguous fear of retribution.

And the G-d I believe knows the difference.[/quote

I believe it is mentioned several times in the bible but Psalms 11 mentions that "fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom"

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I wouldnt agree with the last statement (emphasized by elk). Only you probably get more Christians because that is the prominent faith in the US.

If you posted on a Chinese nursing board the faith would be differant, although the responses most likely the same.

I try to treat others as I would want to be treated. End of story. Sometimes I achieve this. Sometimes I dont.

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Specializes in ER, CCU, LTAC.

SO TRUE!!!!!:)

Stitch,

But I believe that your faith should show. You shouldnt have to talk about it. It should show enough for people to want to ask.

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Specializes in Critical Care / Psychiatry.

Yes, I did mix up spirituality and religion. I myself know the bold difference, but I will blame the late hour that I posted and the fact that I was quite ill with some sort of awful stomach flu. I assume already that everyone has their own sense of spirituality. Most of us here are old enough to have ventured in that direction sometime in our lives. So let's talk about religion.

And yes, ChrisA, you did answer my question. Thanks. :)

I'm still sort of floored about all the "God Speak" here. It's almost like the question of which comes first - the chicken or the egg. Which came first - the profession or the religion? Does nursing bring you closer to your religion? Do you hold onto your religion tightly as a means of getting through the pain and the death? Or were you just as religious before you entered nursing, or perhaps entered nursing due to "God's Will."

Again, I mean to start no discussion of religion vs. religion and who is "100% saved." I couldn't care any less about that, honestly.

And, Caroladybelle, I was using Christianity (which is about 90% of the religion I see around these boards) as an example of a religion. I understand that the words "religion" and "Christianity" are not to be freely exchanged.

3rdShiftGuy, I understand that Christianity is the main religion in the US, though I would argue that up north it is Catholicism, but the southerners don't get to see that. ;)

Again, I hope that I clarified things and if anything is vague or contradicting, please ask me about it. My views are quite eclectic and though I refuse to get into religious debates, I am ever curious and ever learning. :)

Shel

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Shel,

Actually in this part of the South most people are Christians of the Catholic persuasion since this city has been under 5 flags and is a French territory just as New Orleans. :)

Then, of course, there is Tarpon Springs Florida whose Chamber of Commerce web site is in Greek since most of the citizens are Greek Americans.

The US is one big salad!

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I wish more people would just leave their religion at the door. I am not religious, but I respect other people's beliefs. How ever we have a few at our nursing home who feel its their job to save the world. I got sucked into a discussion with one girl on my lunch break who unded up waving her fork at me while preaching hellfire and brimstone. It upset me a bit because I've never been rude to her have always had respect for her beliefs so when she's standing their telling me, "You'll be really sorry when you end up in hell..."

I believe this is how wars have been started LOL

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Specializes in Critical Care / Psychiatry.
Shel,

Actually in this part of the South most people are Christians of the Catholic persuasion since this city has been under 5 flags and is a French territory just as New Orleans. :)

Then, of course, there is Tarpon Springs Florida whose Chamber of Commerce web site is in Greek since most of the citizens are Greek Americans.

The US is one big salad!

I love the diversity, myself. :)

Shel

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Specializes in Critical Care / Psychiatry.
I wish more people would just leave their religion at the door. I am not religious, but I respect other people's beliefs. How ever we have a few at our nursing home who feel its their job to save the world. I got sucked into a discussion with one girl on my lunch break who unded up waving her fork at me while preaching hellfire and brimstone. It upset me a bit because I've never been rude to her have always had respect for her beliefs so when she's standing their telling me, "You'll be really sorry when you end up in hell..."

I believe this is how wars have been started LOL

I'm not evangelical myself, but I understand that some people feel that they are doing the right thing by evangelizing to others. I try to understand that and remember that they are only doing what they think and know is right. Helps a bit. ;)

Shel

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I'm not evangelical myself, but I understand that some people feel that they are doing the right thing by evangelizing to others. I try to understand that and remember that they are only doing what they think and know is right. Helps a bit. ;)

Shel

Thats fine, except for when they go on and on and on and on...then on some more. lol Next time I might not be so polite.

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