Religion's Place in Nursing

[CHIRN]

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

[leslie :-D]

so as a non-Christ follower, how does one explain all the miracles he doesn't perform? how does one explain all the horrific tragedies that happen with children and all other innocent people?

[Jaaaman]

so as a non-Christ follower, how does one explain all the miracles he doesn't perform? how does one explain all the horrific tragedies that happen with children and all other innocent people?

'If there really were a God of love, the innocent wouldn't suffer'

When we stop to carefully examine reality, we are forced to the conclusion that only one innocent ever suffered! Few of us can face this reality, until Jesus cleanses our deeply suppressed but dirty conscience. Only after that spiritual miracle dare we relax our frantic attempts to conceal and excuse and push from our minds the extent of our depravity. It is a devastating experience to have one's supposed goodness exposed by God's blinding purity. With every shred of pride within them shrieking in protest, Christians feel driven to a crushing conclusion: the moral gap between them and a serial killer is invisible, compared to the terrifying expanse separating even their best efforts from the infallible holiness of God.

No clever argument, however, and no spiritual experience can hide one unavoidable fact: a holy God would yearn to wipe out every cause of pain. And if he eradicated everyone who has ever caused pain by selfishness, cheating, lying, gossiping or hurtful remarks, who would be left?

'Suffering is God's fault!' we sneer, conveniently forgetting times our anger, greed and lies hurt others. Naturally, there is a degree of hurt we deem excusable, and for some suspicious reason the hurt we have inflicted happens to fall within the standard we arbitrarily set. It is like failing an exam and then moving the pass mark to make our score look good. A holy God could not be partner to such hypocrisy. To wipe out some people who cause suffering and spare you and me would make God guilty of gross injustice. We have each added to humanity's shame. If there is a God of love, the people he loves and longs to place in a pain-free world are the very ones who cause humanity's suffering.

This question of innocence is central to the question of suffering. We are so far from being innocent that we owe our very existence to sin. If, for example, we traced our family tree far enough, we would probably each find an ancestor born as a result of sin - rape, unlawful incest, a despised pregnancy, and the like.

Then, having consigned everyone to the sin bin, believers back flip, seizing the pretentious assertions of a man renowned for humility. Christ claimed an existence independent of human ancestry. (John 8:56-59; 17:5) If true, and if he subsequently lived a perfect life, he alone could be innocent in every conceivable sense. And we know this man suffered.

He appeared as the uniquely perfect human who preached impossibly high standards, claimed they were God's requirements and actually lived them. Turning the cheek, loving his enemies, just as he had preached, he yielded to abuse and torture, somehow absorbing within his mangled body the horrific consequences of all humanity's sin.

Humanity can boast one perfect Person. We killed him. Yet our only Innocent gladly suffered the injustice to free the guilty from suffering eternal justice. In this cataclysmic exchange, the Innocent and the guilty traded places, making it spiritually legal for his suffering to end your suffering. As incredible as it seems, this has ushered us to the brink of a new world where the longing deep within us will be met - deceit, abuse, and hurtful actions will be swallowed by goodness; misery will dissolve in endless joy.

But temporary earthly pain continues for a wonderful reason. A paradise of harmony, trust, openness and love would quickly spoil if just one of its citizens acted remotely like we presently behave. To enter a perfect world without shattering its perfection, would require a personality transformation more radical than ever seen on earth. Through Jesus' intervention, God can perform this miracle and make us fit for such a world, but he won't abuse us by forcing a personality change upon us against our will. We must be willing to let God take our pet sins from us and, in his unlimited wisdom and love, rule every part of our lives.

Each moment that God suppresses his explosive urge to extinguish evil, is a moment in which billions of us have yet another chance to come to our senses and let Jesus deliver us from our infatuation with sin. But the end of this period of grace is hurtling toward us. Soon all suffering will cease. All wrongdoing will be destroyed, along with everyone still caught in its deadly embrace.

www.net-burst.net/hot/suffer.htm

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

so as a non-Christ follower, how does one explain all the miracles he doesn't perform? how does one explain all the horrific tragedies that happen with children and all other innocent people?

First, many of us believe in a higher power that performs miracles...it just isn't Christ that we believe in.

Second, good and evil things happen with no apparent reason......there doesn't have to be reason or being directing it.

[leslie :-D]

so then how is it decided on who DOES receive miracles? i'm not sure i'm really looking for an answer but will share that my personal and intimate relationship with God is based on everchanging, evolutionary and transcendental experiences that change and define our relationship. I don't follow or memorize any scriptures because our relationship is unplanned and spontaneous. It is based and shaped because of my life's actions (or inactions) and everything that i breathe, sense, feel, has a direct affect with and from God. it is my faith in God that brings me peace even when i'm in conflict. it is my faith in God that i continue to self actualize on a daily basis and question many things but don't need answers to. I SO understand and relate to those that are at peace with their God and NO, you do NOT need Jesus Christ to be at peace. God created us and our minds. I would find it incredulous that He would want all of us to follow and obey everything Jesus professes. As a result of my non-Catholic upbringing, it was solely up to me to come to my own conclusions and philosophies. it is through these trials and tribulations that i came to be. i cannot imagine man being totally yielding and accepting of everything just because Jesus (or anyone else for that matter) said so. it is unnatural and defies what man typifies. ultimately i have found that when you have a sense of yourself, then you have a sense of God and what He is. and once you truly, truly do find peace, then you have found God.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

There is no decision necessary...they can just occur.

But for some people, that is too simple and they require a reason.

I have Faith and am perfectly fine with it just happening.

[Owney]

I just finished reading every post on this string--WHEW!

All of the posts espouse the belief that if there is a god, (s)he would be pleased that we are using our brains to think.

The sign on my church lawn says, "The Church For The Modern Thinker." I can tell you with certainly that all of you, and your ideas would be welcome. You might encounter a disagreement if you say that you are right and everybody who does not think EXACTLY like you is wrong.

Please read my previous post, number 75 and the responses to it. Here are ten good reasons to join a Unitarian Universalist Congregation:

Because here we join with open hearts and minds to worship together, seeking what is sacred among us.

Because here we are part of a long, liberal tradition of reason and tolerance, of hope and liberation.

Because here we honor our Jewish and Christian roots, and also reach out to know the great truths found in other religious expressions.

Because here we acknowledge that revelation is never sealed and empower ourselves to search for new truths.

Because here we nurture our children's enthusiasms and encourage their questions.

Because here we welcome diverse people and views.

Because here we join our strength with others to create a more just society.

Because here we respect the whole self--mind, body, and spirit working together.

Because here we encourage each other to be true to ourselves.

Because her we build a supportive community that eases our loneliness and opens our hearts.

--Bill and Barbara Hamilton-Holway and Mark Harris

© 1995 Unitarian Universalist Association

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I'm more of the camp in which common sense tells me that the accomplishments of men are no more than that. And evolution is provable, so it is. One could also say, it takes more common sense to doubt the existance of god than to have blind faith that he exists. In no way do I imply having faith is not a good thing. It just isn't indicative of common sense.

Common sense and logic do not necessarily go along with faith

My faith isnt blind. my eyes are wide open

Even just plain old common sense shows there is a master plan to evolution, whether we know what it is or not

I dont think I lack common sense

I thing I know, faith and prayer, whatever religion never hurts, it can only help, but never hurt

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Common sense and logic do not necessarily go along with faith

My faith isnt blind. my eyes are wide open

Even just plain old common sense shows there is a master plan to evolution, whether we know what it is or not

I dont think I lack common sense

I thing I know, faith and prayer, whatever religion never hurts, it can only help, but never hurt

Anyone who feels about Bush as you do, has common sense, IMO. :chuckle Seriously, I didn't mean to incinuate you didn't have it...just that being faithful has little to do with common sense one way or the other. Looking back at my own post, I see it is almost as wishy-washy as the post to which I was replying and didn't reflect my true thoughts very well.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Anyone who feels about Bush as you do, has common sense, IMO. :chuckle Seriously, I didn't mean to incinuate you didn't have it...just that being faithful has little to do with common sense one way or the other. Looking back at my own post, I see it is almost as wishy-washy as the post to which I was replying and didn't reflect my true thoughts very well.

Thats cool with me

[BeachNurse]

First, many of us believe in a higher power that performs miracles...it just isn't Christ that we believe in.

Second, good and evil things happen with no apparent reason......there doesn't have to be reason or being directing it.

I too am non-Christian and firmly believe that miracles happen and have seen it with my own son, who against huge odds survived surgery at 11 weeks, sepsis, a liver transplant at 11 months, followed by PCP pneumonia, CMV colitis and, finally Burkett's lymphoma at the age of 3. In most of the instances, especially with the sepsis, PCP and lymphoma his doctors at Johns Hopkins did not believe he would live. He is turning 11 years old in May---if that is not a miracle I don't know what is. AND, my belief in ONE G-d has not hindered miracles in my life...I feel quite blessed and am very thankful for them.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

A teacher asked her first grade class if they believe God exists. One little girl enthusiasticlly raised her hand. She replied:

Christy.. Yes I do.

Teacher.. Do you see the trees out there?

Christy..Yes

Teacher..Do you see the grass out there?

Christy.. Yes

Teacher .. Now look up at the sky. Do you see God?

Christy.. No

Teacher.. Then how do you know He exists?

Christie..I just do

Christie in turn asked the teacher:

Christie.. Do you see all of us?

Teacher..Yes

Christie..Do you see the color of your clothing?

Teacher..Yes

Christie..Do you see your heart beating?

Teacher..No

Christy..Then how do you know it exists?

So you see people? Same principle with one exception..We all have free choice in how we want to live, and it was granted to us by God through Moses. Deuteronomy 30:16

I too am non-Christian and firmly believe that miracles happen and have seen it with my own son, who against huge odds survived surgery at 11 weeks, sepsis, a liver transplant at 11 months, followed by PCP pneumonia, CMV colitis and, finally Burkett's lymphoma at the age of 3. In most of the instances, especially with the sepsis, PCP and lymphoma his doctors at Johns Hopkins did not believe he would live. He is turning 11 years old in May---if that is not a miracle I don't know what is. AND, my belief in ONE G-d has not hindered miracles in my life...I feel quite blessed and am very thankful for them.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his

parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that

someone was at home, but no answer came to his

repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a

card and wrote Revelation 3:20" on the back of it

and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday,

he found that his card had been returned.

Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he

broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden

and I was afraid for

I was naked."