Atheist or Agnostic?

Published

I know, I know, you're never supposed to talk about religion or politics, right....

I'm really not trying to start a religious debate, but just get a sense of where people are at. I'm a first year student and an atheist, yet all my fellow students and the nurses I'm meeting are believers.

If and when I become an atheist nurse, am I going to find myself a fish out of water?

Specializes in Foot Care.

Last time I checked, both Canada and the United States guarantee each person's fundamental right to have any belief system they wish.

Being a nurse is not about our personal belief system. Being professional sometimes requires us to set our own beliefs aside - in a variety of circumstances - in order to honour and respect the beliefs and values of our patients.

Having being raised in what some people would view as a "cult" and lived that lifestyle for 25 years, I'm now an atheist. I grew up trying to shove a certain religious ideology down other peoples' throats, and promised myself I would never do that again.

My patient care is professional, respectful and non-judgemental of other peoples' beliefs. If a Muslim patient or family member of a Muslim patient wishes to have a basin of water to wash and a flannel blanket for their ritual prayers, I support their request. I've been happy to point out which way is east in our rather confusing hospital building.

I've had Orthodox Jewish patients who cannot "work" or use electrical appliances (including call bells) from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. It requires additional attentiveness to ensure that their needs are looked after, but they appreciate that their spiritual and religious identity remains intact. I know other RNs who complain about this kind of thing, and I always remind them "this isn't about you except when it affects your professionalism - you aren't the patient".

Personally, I enjoy hearing about other peoples' customs, traditions and beliefs. Knowing about what other people believe does not in any way detract from my being an atheist, just as my being an atheist does not affect my ability to be an excellent nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I, like it or not, hope you do find yourself a fish out of water and the mere fact that you are asking this type of question leads me to believe you aren't sure yourself if you are a believer or not. I mean, if you are set in your "values" then why worry if you will be a fish out of water or not, you wouldn't care what others thought.

That seems a little impolite. Asking questions doesn't mean one is doubtful, it means one is curious. Many non-theistic nurses have posted in reply to her OP, showing that is is not all that different. Your reply appears to question her morality because she asked a question. Odd.

I could be wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OK Let me put a scenario in front of you. A patient is dying and his family isn't there or he has none and it is 2 am in the morning, no chalpin around and this patient wants you to pray with them. Are you going to say I

don't believe in God or pray. Maybe say "Wait a minute while I get someone else, don't die yet!!!!!" Have you seen a baby born or held it after it was born? I think you are too young to decide what you believe in right now. I believe the experience you will recieve in nursing will make you a believer.

I'm not critizing you. You will find somethings are unexplainable and that is the way it is supposed to be. Maybe you need to reexamine where you started believing the way you do now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.
OK Let me put a scenario in front of you. A patient is dying and his family isn't there or he has none and it is 2 am in the morning, no chalpin around and this patient wants you to pray with them. Are you going to say I

don't believe in God or pray. Maybe say "Wait a minute while I get someone else, don't die yet!!!!!" Have you seen a baby born or held it after it was born? I think you are too young to decide what you believe in right now. I believe the experience you will recieve in nursing will make you a believer.

I'm not critizing you. You will find somethings are unexplainable and that is the way it is supposed to be. Maybe you need to reexamine where you started believing the way you do now.

I don't even know where to begin with this one. Let me just say it would be a violation of the terms of service because there's no way I can say what I'm thinking about your attitude without making it personal.

Let me say that while nursing has opened my eyes to the ways to the world, challenged me to the depths of my core, strengthened me in many ways, it hasn't been a spiritual experience to me. In fact I was born again Christian at the beginning and am less spiritual now than then. Who knows where the future will lead me.

Also, actively dying patients usually nonverbal are maybe 1 in a million right before they die they are able to verbalize a request for prayer, and there's no time to get someone else, but in the multitude of times I've attended a dying person right before their death that hasn't happened, so I'll say to the original poster not to bother worrying about that scenerio.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Management.
OK Let me put a scenario in front of you. A patient is dying and his family isn't there or he has none and it is 2 am in the morning, no chalpin around and this patient wants you to pray with them. Are you going to say I

don't believe in God or pray. Maybe say "Wait a minute while I get someone else, don't die yet!!!!!" Have you seen a baby born or held it after it was born? I think you are too young to decide what you believe in right now. I believe the experience you will recieve in nursing will make you a believer.

I'm not critizing you. You will find somethings are unexplainable and that is the way it is supposed to be. Maybe you need to reexamine where you started believing the way you do now.

Let's pretend that I'm that dying patient. Believe me, I'll know if you're a Christian or not, by the way you react to that question. So please, if you aren't a Christian, it's perfectly OK to go get someone else. JMO.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That seems a little impolite. Asking questions doesn't mean one is doubtful, it means one is curious. Many non-theistic nurses have posted in reply to her OP, showing that is is not all that different. Your reply appears to question her morality because she asked a question. Odd.

I could be wrong.

See!! I am heartened by most of the posts here. A few them, however, serve to reinforce my experience that some believers have a very difficult time dealing with atheists for a number of reasons. And that atheists do experience hostility and are discriminated against.

As an atheist, I don't disrespect believers or feel the need to anti-prosyletize, if you will, or even inform others about my beliefs. ("Hi, my name is X. I don't believe in God.") On the other hand, why should I be in the closet. If someone tries to engage me in a conversation or talks up their church or tries to convert me, what's wrong with saying, "Look, I'm an atheist." It's nothing I'm ashamed of. If I was gay and a co-worker kept trying to fix me up with someone, I'd say, "I'm gay, all right."

(I wouldn't deal with the issue with a patient the same way however. In that case, it's not about me. I'd direct the conversation toward what they believed and felt.)

Again, while it's nobody's business what my beliefs are, it gives a wrong message to hide them or be obtuse or to lie -- that message being that it wrong or shameful or inappropriate or somelthing. Being an atheist or agnostic is a valid, completely acceptable way to exist in the world. As some posters have expressed, it can also be joyful, ethical and life affirming and is not antispiritual. The more that atheists express that (when appropriate), the more acceptance and understanding there will be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OK Let me put a scenario in front of you. A patient is dying and his family isn't there or he has none and it is 2 am in the morning, no chalpin around and this patient wants you to pray with them. Are you going to say I

don't believe in God or pray. Maybe say "Wait a minute while I get someone else, don't die yet!!!!!" Have you seen a baby born or held it after it was born? I think you are too young to decide what you believe in right now. I believe the experience you will recieve in nursing will make you a believer.

I'm not critizing you. You will find somethings are unexplainable and that is the way it is supposed to be. Maybe you need to reexamine where you started believing the way you do now.

I am only a nursing student, but I'm 41.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
See!! I am heartened by most of the posts here. A few them, however, serve to reinforce my experience that some believers have a very difficult time dealing with atheists for a number of reasons. And that atheists do experience hostility and are discriminated against.

As an atheist, I don't disrespect believers or feel the need to anti-prosyletize, if you will, or even inform others about my beliefs. ("Hi, my name is X. I don't believe in God.") On the other hand, why should I be in the closet. If someone tries to engage me in a conversation or talks up their church or tries to convert me, what's wrong with saying, "Look, I'm an atheist." It's nothing I'm ashamed of. If I was gay and a co-worker kept trying to fix me up with someone, I'd say, "I'm gay, all right."

(I wouldn't deal with the issue with a patient the same way however. In that case, it's not about me. I'd direct the conversation toward what they believed and felt.)

Again, while it's nobody's business what my beliefs are, it gives a wrong message to hide them or be obtuse or to lie -- that message being that it wrong or shameful or inappropriate or somelthing. Being an atheist or agnostic is a valid, completely acceptable way to exist in the world. As some posters have expressed, it can also be joyful, ethical and life affirming and is not antispiritual. The more that atheists express that (when appropriate), the more acceptance and understanding there will be.

I agree!

A couple of religious folks who posted here cited fear (of god and loss of afterlife as I recall- it's been a long thread... There was at least one Pascals Wager poster, too) as one of the primary reasons they believe. I have never felt free-er, less fearful, and happier since I gave up belief. (what's wrong with that sentence?)

Also, I am heartened to see so many non-theists of all stipes here!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Have you seen a baby born or held it after it was born? I think you are too young to decide what you believe in right now. I believe the experience you will recieve in nursing will make you a believer.

Of course I've seen a baby born- we deliver 8500 babies a year. Not only is it amazing every time, it's even more amazing to realize that God didn't have anything to do with it at all. The natural world is far more amazing and complex than some story about how it works. I can't understand why some people think I should be impressed by god by looking at a tree or a baby (these are the most common comparisons I hear about- why is that?). These things are interesting/fascinating/etc in their own light- more so, in fact.

And, because we see alot of babies, we also see the not-so-happy endings too. Will you give God credit for Harlequins Ichthyosis, cuz that ain't cool.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OK Let me put a scenario in front of you. A patient is dying and his family isn't there or he has none and it is 2 am in the morning, no chalpin around and this patient wants you to pray with them. Are you going to say I

don't believe in God or pray. Maybe say "Wait a minute while I get someone else, don't die yet!!!!!" Have you seen a baby born or held it after it was born? I think you are too young to decide what you believe in right now. I believe the experience you will recieve in nursing will make you a believer.

I'm not critizing you. You will find somethings are unexplainable and that is the way it is supposed to be. Maybe you need to reexamine where you started believing the way you do now.

Perhaps you need to open your mind a bit, and not assume that everyone who doesn't think like you just hasn't had the intense and meaningful experiences you have had.

I have attended well over 200 births as a nurse at an independent birthing center. I took lots of call, sometimes I was with those moms for 48 hours straight or more. I also have quite a bit of experience caring for the dying, and have attended my share of deaths. I have been a part of some amazing, beautiful, and powerful events. Still an athiest.

People who don't believe in a higher power still have the capacity for joy, amazement and delight. For me, I just attribute it to how wonderful and amazing our bodies and our minds are, not how wonderful a god is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am only a nursing student, but I'm 41.

Well, I'm sure when you are 44, things will suddenly become clear. :lol2: But right now you are just a blank slate, a young whippersnapper with the whole world ahead of you! ;)

Actually, it's nice to hear how "young" we are. You are only as old as you feel!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Of course I've seen a baby born- we deliver 8500 babies a year. Not only is it amazing every time, it's even more amazing to realize that God didn't have anything to do with it at all. The natural world is far more amazing and complex than some story about how it works. I can't understand why some people think I should be impressed by god by looking at a tree or a baby (these are the most common comparisons I hear about- why is that?). These things are interesting/fascinating/etc in their own light- more so, in fact.

And, because we see alot of babies, we also see the not-so-happy endings too. Will you give God credit for Harlequins Ichthyosis, cuz that ain't cool.

I agree. The concept of chance has always seemed more awesome to me than fate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion