How to Answer a Patient Who Asks: "Does God Exist?"

Nurses Spirituality

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Many patients asked me if God exists.  I said, yes, but I failed to prove it to them? Can anyone help me?

Specializes in ER.

I've been a nurse since 1993. In that time not one patient has asked me if God exists.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi Emergent, RN

I your stranger patient now and this is my question.  Does God Exist?  If He does; why there are many troubles in this world such as killings, kidnaping, ambush, bombing, diseases....and why am I sick?

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi Alnitak7

Does God exist? It is just my question to you as a colleague.

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Specializes in retired from healthcare.

I've had prayers answered and in the minds of some people, this only proves the power of human thought energy.   I think if a loving God exists then he would have reasons why he lets evil things happen on our planet and I also think he would be way beyond the God of the Bible.     I've sometimes felt like there was a loving presence in the room with me who was not saying anything and some people might say that your brain Chemistry creates this and that it's an illusion.     I remember a paranoid patient in hysterics one time who asked me to pray for her and she calmed down when I did.   Does this prove that God exists or was it only my faith that calmed the patient down?  I refuse to call myself an atheist because without having been on other planes of existence, I can't prove there's no God.    I've never discussed God with my patients unless they brought it up first.   

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13 hours ago, Alnitak7 said:

I've had prayers answered and in the minds of some people, this only proves the power of human thought energy.   I think if a loving God exists then he would have reasons why he lets evil things happen on our planet and I also think he would be way beyond the God of the Bible.     I've sometimes felt like there was a loving presence in the room with me who was not saying anything and some people might say that your brain Chemistry creates this and that it's an illusion.     I remember a paranoid patient in hysterics one time who asked me to pray for her and she calmed down when I did.   Does this prove that God exists or was it only my faith that calmed the patient down?  I refuse to call myself an atheist because without having been on other planes of existence, I can't prove there's no God.    I've never discussed God with my patients unless they brought it up first.

I think as nurses basic analysis tells us we deal in science ie medicines that elicit chemical reactions to produce results more beneficial for living. Surgical for exactly the same reasons. We are biological structures obeying DNA protocols that are simply housing for that DNA. Everything we do, including sentience is optimized for reproduction. We obey exactly the same principles as do every living entity on this planet with slightly different variations. 

The differences in perception we possess I also assume, is programming to aid evolution to optimal reproductive development. 

In my humble opinion, there is no God! Superior beings possibly, but no God! Which is only beneficial to us as a species. Evolution has no rules except the best adapted, survives, better! Even theological constructs follows those rules. Notice the hierarchical structure of every religious organization? Yet peddling the exact same doctrines. 

I totally respect and envy the religious, because I am limited to logic, science and belief, in only evidence. 

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

"Hi Grumpy,

I believe God exists and I can prove it to you."

 

Hi S.I.C. I am curious as to why you posted the above to my profile rather than here on the open forum? In fact, I didn't know someone could post to my profile.

I am well known on this site for being completely, totally and absolutely atheist. So if you truly can prove god's existence then please go ahead. I, and many others (far more clever and intelligent than me), have been looking for proof for years.

Please note that it will take more than "look around at the wonders of the world", or "you have a god shaped hole in your heart". 

Also take note that I absolutely defend your right to believe whatever you want and to worship it in any manner you wish (as long as no-one is getting hurt).

I am interested to see if you have something original. So as they say; "have at it".

 

Moderators please note I am not looking to cause trouble or argument, I am merely replying to S.I.C.

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When patients get to the level of asking questions like this I refer them to the Chaplain. There are certain things I don't discuss as a nurse and religion is one of them. I let patients speak to their religion but I avoid relaying any of my own. This can be a slippery slope so I don't even breach the topic.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi NurseBlaq

When patients get to the level of asking questions like this I refer them to the Chaplain. There are certain things I don't discuss as a nurse and religion is one of them. I let patients speak to their religion but I avoid relaying any of my own. This can be a slippery slope so I don't even breach the topic.

...........Maybe Nursing Education should provides to nursing students some strategies to address topics of this kind, in order to deliver, wholistic nursing care and subsequently high quality nursing care.  You may not always have a chaplain on your side.  In some countries, there are rural hospitals and health care centers in isolated communities; we have patients all backgrounds, but no chaplains.....We should be well equipped, so that is circumstances like theses, we don't leave our patients puzzled or look as if we are ignoring them by dodging their questions or somehow running away from them.....

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Specializes in ER.
13 hours ago, S.I.C. said:

Hi Emergent, RN

I your stranger patient now and this is my question.  Does God Exist?  If He does; why there are many troubles in this world such as killings, kidnaping, ambush, bombing, diseases....and why am I sick?

I suspect that you just wanted to bring up the issue of the existence of God, and so framed it as patient-related in your opening comments.

I think it would be better if you were more straightforward from the get-go.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi Grumpy,

I should apologize for posting something directly to your profile.  I respect you as an "atheist" and have no need to call for arguments.  I don't know you and you don't know me.  We are just meeting here and exchanging ideas and learning from each other. My purpose is not to convert you into believing in God, (although I wish I would), but is to provide my own version of God's existence.  I will prepare it carefully and come back to you. I have to take time to ovoid in hurting statements in my version.  I am not a Theologian nor representative of any faith, but just a fellow health care provider.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi Emergent, RN

I suspect that you just wanted to bring up the issue of the existence of God, and so framed it as patient-related in your opening comments.

I think it would be better if you were more straightforward from the get-go.

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No, I really sick your help and understand. Honestly speaking, not only my patients asked me this question, but also some of close friends or colleagues did the same, and myself I am also asking you this, because from 1993 when you started to work as a nurse, not patient ever asked you this question about the existence of God. If no one ever asked you this question before, I think now it time for for you to think about it, because I am your unknown or stranger patient, and I need your help.

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Specializes in ER.
30 minutes ago, S.I.C. said:

Hi Emergent, RN

I suspect that you just wanted to bring up the issue of the existence of God, and so framed it as patient-related in your opening comments.

I think it would be better if you were more straightforward from the get-go.

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No, I really sick your help and understand. Honestly speaking, not only my patients asked me this question, but also some of close friends or colleagues did the same, and myself I am also asking you this, because from 1993 when you started to work as a nurse, not patient ever asked you this question about the existence of God. If no one ever asked you this question before, I think now it time for for you to think about it, because I am your unknown or stranger patient, and I need your help.

Sorry,  I  don't  believe you. Have a blessed day.

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