Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs?

Nurses Spirituality

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liberated847

504 Posts

Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.

[quote=Lev animals wrote ancient text??

Lev, MSN, RN, NP

4 Articles; 2,805 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

No...but their ancestors seemed to have figured out how to write plays, novels, poetry, publish scientific journals, and have discussions debating religious beliefs so I think they should have a mention.

Red Kryptonite

2,212 Posts

Specializes in hospice.
The problem I have is that you can assign arbitrary meaning to any text bible or scientific that's why I tend to favor science and the scientific process.

This makes no sense. What is a scientific text except the explanation of scientific principles and how we've reached them? Are you going to re-do every experiment for yourself and not trust any text about anything? Besides, if either can be arbitrarily made to mean anything and neither has any internal validity of its own, then you're basing your choice on mere personal preference, which has no validity beyond you.

liberated847

504 Posts

Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.

My opinions are based on my observation about how we know the universe works (what we know up until now). Religious text have valid teachings about human behaviors and arguably morality (good and bad) but no matter how much anyone tries, much of is not consistent with reality as we know. A god that is supposed to be perfect cannot by definition have written that piece of work. Am I wrong? Well that's irrelevant as it is an opinion and belief on my part.

Fractal-5

16 Posts

I come from an evangelical christian background and have studied the bible as fervently as any other christian before I stopped believing and realized that I was truly an atheist. I looked for deeper meaning in the text and did not look at it with purely academic eyes. I have no bone to pick-people can believe what they'd like. The bible, like all texts, is an imperfect manmade book.

The difference is that scientific study can be replicated by independent sources not connected with the original experiment. That is why I believe it can be trusted more than unverified accounts in a book that contains fantastical stories and politically leaning slant. My opinion, of course.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP

4 Articles; 2,805 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

What is considered perfect can mean different things to different people. Either way, there are many things that are not clear cut. The world is set up in a way that makes it easy to not believe in a higher being. The religious texts are part of that set up.

Fractal-5

16 Posts

I will say that while there are extreme cases of religiosity linked with mental illness I do not believe this is the norm. I believe that religion is a way to find comfort and meaning in a challenging world and that we as humans are constantly searching for answers to difficult questions. I do not begrudge others the opportunity to do that and I'm happy that they have found answers that resonate for them within their belief system. Live and let live. I do object when people attempt to legislate personal beliefs and visit them upon those who do not share those same ideals.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN

3 Articles; 10,428 Posts

I come from an evangelical christian background and have studied the bible as fervently as any other christian before I stopped believing and realized that I was truly an atheist. I looked for deeper meaning in the text and did not look at it with purely academic eyes. I have no bone to pick-people can believe what they'd like. The bible, like all texts, is an imperfect manmade book.

The difference is that scientific study can be replicated by independent sources not connected with the original experiment. That is why I believe it can be trusted more than unverified accounts in a book that contains fantastical stories and politically leaning slant. My opinion, of course.

And your opinion is welcomed, and can be discussed further. THIS is respecful, and I thank you for it :)

2011RN

94 Posts

By rising to a level of ethical and moral perfection, wouldn't that make Buddha a deity? And if not, what is his placement within the religion?

Buddha is not a deity. I do not think of Buddhism as attempting to rise to a level of perfection. Buddha was a teacher. His teachings serve as a guide to understanding humanity. There are no promises of immortality for doing anything. The only thing one is looking to gain from buddhism is a personal understanding of things that occur in ones life and an awareness of there impact on life. I do not worship Buddha, nor pray to Buddha!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN

3 Articles; 10,428 Posts

Buddha is not a deity. I do not think of Buddhism as attempting to rise to a level of perfection. Buddha was a teacher. His teachings serve as a guide to understanding humanity. There are no promises of immortality for doing anything. The only thing one is looking to gain from buddhism is a personal understanding of things that occur in ones life and an awareness of there impact on life. I do not worship Buddha, nor pray to Buddha!

Thanks for the info. FWIW, I live in an area where there are several Buddhist retreats, centers, etc. And there are a number of my own congregation who call themselves "Bu-Jews", LOL! :)

I think it was from one of them that I got the idea that Buddha was elevated to the ranks of perfect in morality and ethics, so while not divine still 'above' the rest of humanity.....I think. But maybe like Judaism, there are many ways to view the same thing? And what you say of Buddhism is also true of Judaism in that the point of everything we do is for the sake of the here and now, not something "after", not for any immortality.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

thread closed for staff review

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

MODERATOR NOTE:

This thread has been heavily edited.

This thread is 2 years old and I have learned a lot about other religions. We need to be educated and TOLERANT of others beliefs.

Further personal attacks and off topic discussion will be deleted and points assigned.

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