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

Wow. A very good discussion folks. Guess I'll toss my two cents in as well. I believe that God, in His infinate wisdom, figured that us humans could not and would not agree on anything. What color is the grass? Blue-green, lime-green, forest-green, etc. So, in His infinate wisdom He made many manisfestations of Himself. Jesus, Muhammid, Bhudda..................live a life with love and tolerance of others. Do good works. Believe in any manisfestation that you want, He's all the same Guy.

If I lead a good life, have love and tolerance for others, why believe in anything..................why indeed if the conclusion of His plan is for us to do just that.

I consider myself a Christian and believe in Jesus Christ. But I also believe that God wants all to love him and each other, so, I guess I'm not a Christian. I figure God knows my reasoning, and unless you're God, you have no say in my belief.

____________________________________________________________

Religion is man made, spirituality is God given.

Religion is for those people afraid to go to hell, spirituality is for those of us who've been there.

It's quite obvious to me by now that psychomachia has put quite a bit of thought into this and doesn't need much more thought provoking here. LOL

Tweetie- Yeah I know what you mean. I guess when I was writing that I was thinking that statement I made to be directed to everyone on here, to think a little more, not just psychomachia. He is who I was talking to so I ended up directing it in statement towards him. I just think that no matter what religion you are or no religion at all it is quite important to know why you are that way. Is it cause you were raised that way, mom and dad says it is so it has to be? If you never sort of question the way you are then to me you are in it blindly. If you don't question you don't make yourself find the answers. I too am enjoying the conversation on here!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

why complicate it

Because it's not the truth that we all believe in. To you it's simple, the Bible says it, you believe it, end of discussion. Besides, it's more fun this way. :)

Re Einstein. It appears our Albert had rather more to say on the subect than some would prefer.....

*****

"I cannot then believe in this concept of an anthropomorphic God who has the powers of interfering with these natural laws. ... In essence, my religion consists of a humble admiration for this illimitable superior spirit that reveals itself in the slight details that we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble minds."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the type of which we are conscious in ourselves. An individual who should survive his physical death is also beyond my comprehension, nor do I wish it otherwise; such notions are for the fears or absurd egoism of feeble souls."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"To be sure, the doctrine of a personal God interfering with natural events could never be refuted, in the real sense, by science, for this doctrine can always take refuge in those domains in which scientific knowledge has not yet been able to set foot."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"My position concerning God is that of an agnostic. I am convinced that a vivid consciousness of the primary importance of moral principles for the betterment and ennoblement of life does not need the idea of a law-giver, especially a law-giver who works on the basis of reward and punishment."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"It is quite possible that we can do greater things than Jesus, for what is written in the Bible about him is poetically embellished."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"Why do you write to me "God should punish the English"? I have no close connection to either one or the other. I see only with deep regret that God punishes so many of His children for their numerous stupidities, for which only He Himself can be held responsible; in my opinion, only His nonexistence could excuse Him."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"The foundation of morality should not be made dependent on myth nor tied to any authority lest doubt about the myth or about the legitimacy of the authority imperil the foundation of sound judgment and action."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"I do not believe that a man should be restrained in his daily actions by being afraid of punishment after death or that he should do things only because in this way he will be rewarded after he dies."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"In their struggle for the ethical good, teachers of religion must have the stature to give up the doctrine of a personal God, that is, give up that source of fear and hope which in the past placed such vast power in the hands of priests."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"There is nothing divine about morality, it is a purely human affair."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"My religiosity consists in a humble admiration of the infinitely superior spirit that reveals itself in the little that we, with our weak and transitory understanding, can comprehend of reality."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"The pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive."

-Albert Einstein

*****

"I came-- though the child of entirely irreligious (Jewish) parents -- to a deep religiousness, which, however, reached an abrupt end at the age of twelve."

-Albert Einstein

This tread is irrelevant because RELIGION is irrelevant! There is NO God, and Christianity is just a myth. Why do we spend our time arguing about Greek mythology? The stories are more interesting and believable! :p

This tread is irrelevant because RELIGION is irrelevant! There is NO God, and Christianity is just a myth

Well that might be what you believe but there happen to be others who believe differently. Therefore this thread is relevant :)

Well, then lets discuss how Hercules, son of Zeus (God), will save humanity will his magnificient strength and deeds. I doubt that Jesus could even bench press his own weight. When they painted pictures of a blond and white Jesus

(yea right), they should put some big muscles on him!

Specializes in Geri and adult psych, hospice.
Everyone is here is looking for Logic

Its not about logic

Its about faith

It doesnt even matter which faith

christian, catholic, jewish, buddhism , whatever

Its about faith

its about love

its about being good

Go I believe in immaculate conception

YES

Do I believe he raised from the dead

Yes

and everything else also

it is all faith and love

why complicate it

TeeitupTom, I like where you're coming from! Totally agree!

:)

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

What is Psychomachia

enquiring minds think they want to know, maybe

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
TeeitupTom, I like where you're coming from! Totally agree!

:)

Thank you Louisepug

me too teeitupTom!!!! Great post!!!!

oh and I've come to a new plan on here...IGNORE THE TROLLS! all we do is fuel the flames if we respond.

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