Religion's Place in Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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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

Most of the time i don't believe things that billy rants and raves about either, such as the "gay, jewish bashing", but i do believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

I can believe in the Son of God rising from the dead, because I believe that with God anything is possible. It is ignorant to believe that people heal people. God heals people THROUGH other people. God gives people in the medical field the understanding and the knowledge about the human body to treat it, but in the end it is God who is really doing the healing.

I understand that it goes against everything we are taught in the medical profession to believe that someone could "rise from the dead", but isn't that what faith is all about? Faith is believing in something even though you don't have physical prove right in front of you.

I do believe that some things in the Bible are metaphorical, of course. The Bible was written in a different period of time, and we have to account for that. It is my faith, however, that leads me to believe that God can do whatever He/She wants to. And if He wants to bring someone back to life, He will. It may be a defibrillator that jump starts the electrical activity back into a heart, but it is God who really brings that person back to life.

In my Christian/Catholic opinion, that is. :)

Oh, didn't realize that Billy was there 2000 years ago :angryfire ... I am Presbryterian, but believe that the bible is metaphorical. Ain't no one rising from the dead...I think the message is that being conveyed is that death isn't the end and/or personal change is always possible. And it's funny how "holy" billy is, and then goes on to bash some of god's children (gay, jewish,etc.) Someone who is truly enlightened shows tolerance and acceptance of others.
Specializes in ICU.

I don't want to get banned from posting here so I am going to keep this clean. Jesus rose from the dead. Whether you like it or not. Who cares if you don't believe it? It happened, so get over yourselves because YOU can't do nothing on this earth without GOD. I am a true believer and I know for a fact what the power of God can do because he has performed in my life. All of you people don't have to believe. You just won't enter the Kingdom of God. I guess you don't care either. Well, that's your business. I know whom to serve and I would never question The One above. You all have a right to express your opinion but just know that YOU'RE WRONG, and I don't care who you are or what your profession is :angryfire

FORGIVE THEM FATHER, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO :rolleyes:

I feel a lot of negative postings will come about the above message but oh well.

I feel that if you believe in God and the Bible it is not intellectually sound to say there could not have been a resurrection. First of all, if you believe in God I am guessing that you would believe in Creationsism. To believe in that you would believe that God created this world and everything in it, including the people. Therefore what would limit him to being able to raise someone from the dead? Jesus' resurrection is not the only time someone was raised from the dead in the Bible so I guess those are false as well?

It is no use believing in God if you don't believe in the resurrection. If the resurrection did not happen then there is no way to salvation so you might as well believe there is not a god, or at least the biblical God, because the resurrection is the only way to salvation through him.

True the Bible has a lot of metaphors. The parables are a big example. I also believe that lots of writings in the Bible actually happened but are there for us to learn by and apply to our own life.

A person on a prior posting was talking about other writings during that time and why didn't they have as much validity or many Christians read those books and believe also what they say about what happened during that time period. I myself believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, meaning he was speaking through the authors of it, and he chose what would encompass the Bible.

I don't know about the other books, I have no doubt they were written during that time and might be equally as valid. I believe though that the Bible is what God layed out for us to go by so that is why I find it necessary to follow it.

I firmly feel as you do ....... God rose from the dead and is our salvation; but your words come across hateful and condeming, an attitude that turns people away rather than reaching them. Tolerance and prayer is what is needed here. I realize you may not mean it but you come across as someone who has no love or compassion for those that don't believe as you do. Use your passion for prayer rather than attack and Gods work and word will go much further.

I don't want to get banned from posting here so I am going to keep this clean. Jesus rose from the dead. Whether you like it or not. Who cares if you don't believe it? It happened, so get over yourselves because YOU can't do nothing on this earth without GOD. I am a true believer and I know for a fact what the power of God can do because he has performed in my life. All of you people don't have to believe. You just won't enter the Kingdom of God. I guess you don't care either. Well, that's your business. I know whom to serve and I would never question The One above. You all have a right to express your opinion but just know that YOU'RE WRONG, and I don't care who you are or what your profession is :angryfire

FORGIVE THEM FATHER, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO :rolleyes:

Specializes in Research,Peds,Neuro,Psych,.

I feel that most persons, regardless of their religion, if they are faithful to it, fervently believe that THEIRS is "the" one and only correct one.

MY religions says there is one G-d, and that I am not allow to pray to anyone who is not G-d. That is what I believe and people of other religions have their own stong beliefs as well. I respect that completely, but could never change my faith.

I am a kind and decent human being...I have a wonderful family and am so very blessed. Thanks, but no need to pray for me, because I am right where I want to be. :)

Specializes in ICU.
I firmly feel as you do ....... God rose from the dead and is our salvation; but your words come across hateful and condeming, an attitude that turns people away rather than reaching them. Tolerance and prayer is what is needed here. I realize you may not mean it but you come across as someone who has no love or compassion for those that don't believe as you do. Use your passion for prayer rather than attack and Gods work and word will go much further.

Thank you for your calm words. It just really angers me when people question our precious Lord. Speaking nicely to them won't reach out. Just because i am a christian does that mean that I can't stand up for God (what is right). I'm not going to just let people degrade my Jesus and what He stands for without a fight. I feel as strongly about Him as I do any other member in my family. He is sooo Precious. He's my Savior. I love Him wholeheartedly and someone has to stand up to these NONBELIEVERS. It is not my job to convince them to believe, but it is my DUTY as a christian woman to correct their ignorance when speaking about GOD.

No problem. By our works shall we be known .......... People will see a difference in us as well as our convictions just by kiving as christ lived. I have had the wonderful experience of someone asking me if I was a christian; when I replied YES, they said they could tell because I was "different" if we allow God to work through us people will notice. or actions will speak louder then words sometimes .............

Thank you for your calm words. It just really angers me when people question our precious Lord. Speaking nicely to them won't reach out. Just because i am a christian does that mean that I can't stand up for God (what is right). I'm not going to just let people degrade my Jesus and what He stands for without a fight. I feel as strongly about Him as I do any other member in my family. He is sooo Precious. He's my Savior. I love Him wholeheartedly and someone has to stand up to these NONBELIEVERS. It is not my job to convince them to believe, but it is my DUTY as a christian woman to correct their ignorance when speaking about GOD.
Specializes in ICU.

Thank you for being the person that you are. I just blew my cool and I know that I may have offended a lot of people. You understand me :) That was not my intentions. I am on my journey to build an even stronger relationship with God. I apologize to those who feel as though I stepped out of line. But, you see, for someone to feel that strongly about Him, (for me to react that way) you know He has to be good. He's amazing. You all should try Him. :)

Thanks again dlmickley. I admire you :)

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

My sentiments exactly. I think that's why the saying, "What goes around comes around" comes from.

No problem. By our works shall we be known .......... People will see a difference in us as well as our convictions just by kiving as christ lived. I have had the wonderful experience of someone asking me if I was a christian; when I replied YES, they said they could tell because I was "different" if we allow God to work through us people will notice. or actions will speak louder then words sometimes .............
Thank you for your calm words. It just really angers me when people question our precious Lord. Speaking nicely to them won't reach out. Just because i am a christian does that mean that I can't stand up for God (what is right). I'm not going to just let people degrade my Jesus and what He stands for without a fight. I feel as strongly about Him as I do any other member in my family. He is sooo Precious. He's my Savior. I love Him wholeheartedly and someone has to stand up to these NONBELIEVERS. It is not my job to convince them to believe, but it is my DUTY as a christian woman to correct their ignorance when speaking about GOD.

you are confusing ignorance with a conscious decision on what someone CHOOSES to believe. i find that most of the posters here that don't believe in the resurrection, are horsewhipping others because they do believe. God gave us free will as well as many other gifts. your judgement of the nonbelievers is intolerant and short sighted. the end result from all of these posts is that morality, acceptance and decency are the virtues that would make any God rejoice. period.

you are confusing ignorance with a conscious decision on what someone CHOOSES to believe. i find that most of the posters here that don't believe in the resurrection, are horsewhipping others because they do believe. God gave us free will as well as many other gifts. your judgement of the nonbelievers is intolerant and short sighted. the end result from all of these posts is that morality, acceptance and decency are the virtues that would make any God rejoice. period.

my apologies, i stated something backwards. i find that most of the posters that DO believe in the resurrection, are horsewhipping others because they do NOT believe.

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

That is exactly why I posted message number 191, The last sentence.

my apologies, i stated something backwards. i find that most of the posters that DO believe in the resurrection, are horsewhipping others because they do NOT believe.
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