Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs?

Nurses Spirituality

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If so, have you gotten grief from coworkers or patients because of it? Tell your stories here!!I'm pagan, and I'm pretty low key about it. I have nothing against Jesus. If he existed, I think he must have been a pretty cool dude. But, I don't consider myself a Christian per se. I've worn jewelry that represents my faith and gotten raised eyebrows and a few comments here and there, but nothing I can't handle. Patients have been pretty ok with it but maybe that's the pre-op drugs doing their job, lol.

Welll.....ok then.

I put some of that definition in bold.....and it seems to me it can all be summed up by saying "This religion is All About Me"? It's what *I* want, it's only *me* that matters, in a nutshell?

Thanks for the info, Esme.

Not necessarily. Let me see a personal example from my life.. an ex best friend. I did so much for this person. Bought groceries when I was flat broke. Gave them rides. Gave them money etc. But the one time I told them I wasn't able to help them (I really wasn't able to) I was made to feel like a horrible person. And this girl was a. "Christian". I then decided to care more about myself and drop this negativity in my life. And guess what I became happier, something about listening to negativity everyday just begins to ruin you. This practice is mostly based on doing what makes you happy as long as you don't hurt others. I'm usually judged by Christians for my beliefs which is funny because they completely throw out the golden rule. I'm sure no Christian would want others to judge their religion so why judge others.

And you probably can't wrap your head around this but that's totally ok! Because it's the same for me when it comes to god (s) I simply cannot wrap my head around it and I usually ask close friends what do they think god is? Because I can't for the life of me believe in god.

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Specializes in hospice.
Absolutely...For whatever reason in my nursing career I have been exposed to many different religions. There are some that are ok and some that I just shake my head once I get in the car and think..."Really? :facepalm: Well that's what religious freedom means."

Working hospice, my exposure is naturally multiplied from what might occur in other health care settings. Lemme tell ya, there are some WEIRD beliefs and practices out there, and weird people who profess one thing but practice something totally different.

But yes, our job is to respect, support, and offer resources to the best of our ability.

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Not necessarily. Let me see a personal example from my life.. an ex best friend. I did so much for this person. Bought groceries when I was flat broke. Gave them rides. Gave them money etc. But the one time I told them I wasn't able to help them (I really wasn't able to) I was made to feel like a horrible person. And this girl was a. "Christian". I then decided to care more about myself and drop this negativity in my life. And guess what I became happier, something about listening to negativity everyday just begins to ruin you. This practice is mostly based on doing what makes you happy as long as you don't hurt others. I'm usually judged by Christians for my beliefs which is funny because they completely throw out the golden rule. I'm sure no Christian would want others to judge their religion so why judge others.

And you probably can't wrap your head around this but that's totally ok! Because it's the same for me when it comes to god (s) I simply cannot wrap my head around it and I usually ask close friends what do they think god is? Because I can't for the life of me believe in god.

See, now, I can completely understand holding oneself in a higher regard to avoid being made into a doormat. Self-respect is necessary in order to GIVE respect, IMOHO. However, that's not the same thing as disregarding assistance to others in an effort to give oneself a greater piece of the pie.

You gave your friend the help she needed, she was ungrateful in return. The lesson to learn is to accept that some people will be ungrateful for your help (and give it anyway) or be more careful/selective in who you offer that help to. NOT to no longer offer help. Is this coming out clearly? Am stumbling over my words as my thoughts vie for space, LOL....

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And just like any other religion not every thing is followed. Such as catholicism, in the bible it states that wearing 2 different fibers as clothing is not to be done. Not sure if youre still interested in knowing more but here's A few more examples maybe you will get the bigger picture. This chapter mostly reflects on the Christian church and the 7 deadly sins.. greed: "there is nothing wrong with being greedy, as it only means that he wants more than he already has" don't we all want more? I don't mean material wise because I have everything I can possibly want in that sense but I do want more career wise. I'm not satisfied yet so I will keep working to get to where I want to be.

Envy" means to look with favor upon the possessions of others" again not material wise for me but more as academic/career. these are meant to be motivating forces of ambition.

And my children will be raised to be good people not based on religion, not based on the fear of hell but just because it makes the world an easier place to live in when you are a good person.

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Specializes in hospice.

Oh my....your poor use of Bible quotes........

No, I have to back away because it will turn into an ugly argument. Suffice to say you don't know as much as you think you do.

And there are crappy users in every religious tradition. If you're going to condemn every organization that contains hypocrites, you won't be able to go anywhere or do anything.

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... Such as catholicism, in the bible it states that wearing 2 different fibers as clothing is not to be done.

This is actually from the Torah (Judaism), the admonition to not wear plant fibers and animal fibers mixed; this would take out cotton/wool blends. Why? I don't have a good reason for that, although it has been explained to me. Even with the explanation, I'll readily admit to not adhering to this. When I think about it, I don't think I actually HAVE any cotton/wool blends, LOL, but it's not because of a biblical observance.

The Seven Deadly Sins isn't my thing (not Catholic here) but I'll take this on for the purpose of discussion:

greed: "there is nothing wrong with being greedy, as it only means that he wants more than he already has" don't we all want more?

Not exactly. Wanting to ACHIEVE more, do greater things, is not the same thing as not being grateful for what one already has. Greed means wanting more materialistic things than is necessary, "just to have more". So no, I don't think greed is ok.

Envy" means to look with favor upon the possessions of others" again not material wise for me but more as academic/career. these are meant to be motivating forces of ambition.

Envy means desiring something that one does not have, thereby rendering oneself ungrateful for what one DOES have. ADMIRATION is what should be a "motivating force of ambition", the desire to be LIKE someone as opposed to simply own what they have (covet their stuff).

See the difference?

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And there are crappy users in every religious tradition. If you're going to condemn every organization that contains hypocrites, you won't be able to go anywhere or do anything.

Now ain't THAT the truth! While I consider myself observant (and I think most others would, too) I do not adhere to every single custom or doctrine found within the boundaries of Judaism. I'd never be able to go further than my front lawn if I did! :cyclops:

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Yea ok. Now I don't think you really care to see my views so I'll leave it at that. It really doesn't matter what I believe. Well to you at least. I don't care if you think greed is OK or not.I was letting you know my thoughts since you asked. Greed isn't only materialistic. So are you looking to see what else I say so you can dissect my next post? Feel free to but I was just sharing a slight insight of my beliefs.

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Yea ok. Now I don't think you really care to see my views so I'll leave it at that. It really doesn't matter what I believe. Well to you at least. I don't care if you think greed is OK or not.I was letting you know my thoughts since you asked. Greed isn't only materialistic. So are you looking to see what else I say so you can dissect my next post? Feel free to but I was just sharing a slight insight of my beliefs.

You're pretty off base here, no need to get rude. I wasn't "dissecting" your post, I was responding to it. It's easiest to use the 'Quote' feature so people can know what is being responded to in particular.

If you're going to make a statement of fact (ie: Catholicism and the wearing of 2 fibers) and you are wrong in your statement, why are you upset that it was corrected? You cannot tell someone that you base a belief on something....and that something is outright wrong, NOT factual....and think it's going to not be addressed. You cannot claim to want respectful discussion if you refuse to accept questions and you are not being respectful when you speak as you just did.

I DID ask what you believe, because I thought you could discuss it rationally, which is what *I* was doing. I told you what scripture really DOES say on something, and even why I don't follow that in particular. No need for you to get snippy over it.

So far, I haven't seen you actually say ANYTHING on your beliefs, only why you disagree with two (as exampled) of the Seven Deadly Sins. That's not a belief system, it's just a reason why you don't agree with someone else's.

If you can share without being nasty.....What is it you DO believe?

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I believe in being a human being that knows right from wrong not based on a book or religion. The seven deadly sins are in the book which is on amazon called the satanic bible. It's interesting, I follow most of these beliefs but don't revolve my life around this book. For these examples I was referring to this book not another religious book, besides that one fibers which I remember it from catholic school being in there, I'm not gonna look for it though so I'll take your word. I wasn't being nasty or snippy. I'm a complex human as one should be. I am anti-religion, I absolutely think this world would be a better place without it. But I will never tell someone who values religion that those are my beliefs, because thats disrespectful. I have many beliefs, i believe animals are beautiful and should not be killed therefore I am vegetarian. I believe children are the most innocent and should be cared for and proteced. Therefore i am a pediatric nurse. I believe it is wrong to be wasteful and harm earth therefore I live a green lifestyle. I believe everyone has a right to be happy (as long as it doesnt involve hurting others)

Those are my beliefs.

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You said you are anti-religion. Does this mean that you don't follow any form of religion whatsoever (including Satanism....you mentioned following the Eleven Rules...)?

You mention getting your information from "a book on Amazon", others from memory of school days. Maybe before declaring religion unworthy of being in existence, it would be good to educate yourself on what it IS that you're declaring bad? What I'm thinking is I couldn't very well tell someone something is wrong....if I don't know what I'm talking about, really. The Seven Deadly Sins isn't "from a book on Satanism".....and that's where I'm coming from. Using misinformation as a tool for a basis of learning is NEVER a good idea.

For the record, it certainly does come across as snippy and nasty when you tell someone you don't care what they believe, or accuse them of "dissecting" your posts. Maybe it isn't what you intended, I'll take it as that. But you really should realize how these things come across, if you DON'T want to be seen as...well, snippy or nasty. It's much easier to have discussions like this when participants aren't instantly on the defensive.

Thank you for spelling out your beliefs. For what it's worth, the values you subscribe to are the EXACT values found in most mainstream religious beliefs...nothing you said ISN'T written in someone's (mainstream) religious doctrine.

Perhaps you aren't anti-religion, just anti-ORGANIZED religion. No religion exists without spirituality, but certainly Spirituality can (and does) exist without religion. Just thought that was interesting, and worth a mention.

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Leveyan satanism is more of an atheist way of life rather than religion. But some argue that atheism is a religion? hmm with the technicalities. I mostly follow the eleven rules because it's natural. Its Without the intent of living my life to revolve around these rules. It's pretty much what comes natural to me. And yes I do believe I am anti-religion, or maybe anti- belief of god? These lavey beliefs are what I mostly follow not on" purpose" but like I said more like a natural way of life for me. I wouldn't be a martyr in the name of the church of satan. It's just there, and it's interesting. A lot of truths in there for me. It doesn't define the person I am. I don't wake up with the intent of being a "laveyan satanist", if that makes sense.

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