Quote from EarthwormRN
I'd like to volunteer at this christian based non profit medical clinic because I want to volunteer my nursing skills but in the volunteer packet it requires I sign a statement of faith, that I believe in god and my faith is true, which it is not. I am afraid that if I tell anyone I am a non believer they will tell me to go elsewhere.. but I find that to be unfair. I am not going into a church to worship. I am going into a clinic to provide medical care to under-served and underprivileged individuals (who by the way are not required to be christian in order to receive care). I have not seen any other volunteer opportunities in my area where I can use my nursing skills so this is where I want to go. IF I do sign it, my plan is to cordially talk about the religion if spoken to about it and not tell anyone I am a nonbeliever. I have had many patients in the past of whom I have read scriptures to by their request and even talked about religion with them and they didn't know, nor did I ever tell them that I don't actually share the same faith with them.
I also wonder, if I do sign it and someone finds out it was a false statement, what will likely happen?
Thank you, any input is appreciated, and please no bashing on my belief. You will not convert me. I am a good person, with good morals, and I don't need a leader to help me distinguish right from wrong. (In this case, I feel if I sign it, I am part right/ and part wrong - but my desire to help the community is more beneficial)
From reading what you have written, I surmise this clinic is not just looking for volunteer nurses to help provide medical care to under-served and underprivileged individuals. These individuals can get that kind of "medical care" at other clinics or ED. This Christian based clinic's goal is to meet the physical
and spiritual needs of those individuals. This is what the clinic was founded on. It is not unfair for them to want volunteer staff who are Christians so that they too can talk honestly and sincerely to the patients about their spiritual needs...... pray with them as needed......quote scripture......talk to them about salvation if that is what the patient wants. A non-believer may have a difficult time doing this since they do not believe in the power of God and scripture. This clinic does not have to follow the same guidelines as non-Christian based clinics. They can require volunteers to be Christians. They can pray openly with their clients.
I am certainly not judging you in any way. I am just trying to help you see things from the viewpoint of those who established the clinic. Like other posters, I recommend you find another volunteer opportunity in your community. There are many who could benefit from what you have to offer.
Dec 13, '12 by llgI think it would be morally wrong to lie to them in order to get a chance to work with them. I like the idea of being honest with them, emphasizing that you respect their faith and would not do anything to interfer with their religious mission -- and then seeing if they are still interested in having you as a volunteer.
Dec 19, '12 by NJ2008Quote from AltraAgreed. If OP doesn't agree with what this organization stands for that she should not sign that paper. That's wrong and dishonest, IMHO. Also asking them for an alternative statement borders on disrespectful and can be taken the wrong way.This clinic is a mission of this group. There is nothing "unfair" about their requirement that their volunteers share that belief. Surely there is some other secular group, such as the Red Cross, for which you can volunteer.
Dec 19, '12 by tnbutterflyQuote from EarthwormRNFrom reading what you have written, I surmise this clinic is not just looking for volunteer nurses to help provide medical care to under-served and underprivileged individuals. These individuals can get that kind of "medical care" at other clinics or ED. This Christian based clinic's goal is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those individuals. This is what the clinic was founded on. It is not unfair for them to want volunteer staff who are Christians so that they too can talk honestly and sincerely to the patients about their spiritual needs...... pray with them as needed......quote scripture......talk to them about salvation if that is what the patient wants. A non-believer may have a difficult time doing this since they do not believe in the power of God and scripture. This clinic does not have to follow the same guidelines as non-Christian based clinics. They can require volunteers to be Christians. They can pray openly with their clients.I'd like to volunteer at this christian based non profit medical clinic because I want to volunteer my nursing skills but in the volunteer packet it requires I sign a statement of faith, that I believe in god and my faith is true, which it is not. I am afraid that if I tell anyone I am a non believer they will tell me to go elsewhere.. but I find that to be unfair. I am not going into a church to worship. I am going into a clinic to provide medical care to under-served and underprivileged individuals (who by the way are not required to be christian in order to receive care). I have not seen any other volunteer opportunities in my area where I can use my nursing skills so this is where I want to go. IF I do sign it, my plan is to cordially talk about the religion if spoken to about it and not tell anyone I am a nonbeliever. I have had many patients in the past of whom I have read scriptures to by their request and even talked about religion with them and they didn't know, nor did I ever tell them that I don't actually share the same faith with them.