Okay, I did a search for GOD and came up with 200 pages of 5492 threads. Perhaps what I am looking for was somewhere in there, but WOW! The closest I have come were these posts which clearly show than an abundance of people DO believe in God:
I am curious about the number of people who do NOT believe in a traditional Higher Power.
What brought me to this was a recent theological discussion with my Jewish girlfriend. We are basically on the same wavelength (so I suppose thats good for us), where she believes in the God who created everything but doesnt care about what happens in the world, only about the outcome, (sort of like a science experiment), and I believe only in the POSSIBILITY of such an entity but not in the context of any organized religion which I have come across thus far. (Satanism is the closest I have found to what I believe, though even that seems to not be all encompassing. I do not prescribe to any religion so please don't get hung up on a particular reference or lack of here and miss the point of my question.)
I DO BELIEVE RELIGION IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN CIVILIZED SOCIETIES!!! I just have no faith in the whole omnipotent, omniscient, loving God thing to whom we should devote our lives, depriving ourselves of certain experiences that seem to be the very nature of our existence, spending time on our knees seeking guidance from and worshiping. I AM NOT CRITICIZING ANYONE FOR PRACTICING RELIGION!!!
My question is this: do you all feel it is necessary for a care provider to believe in and/or have faith in God or does it matter if he/she believes there might not be a second chance in "Heaven" and have only one FINITE life to live so therefore it is mandatory to ensure everyone gets the best possible chance to be happy and make our marks (so to speak) the only time around?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
LPN2004--- Yes, but what I and many others are saying here, is our arguments negate the "necessity to believe in G-d" to be a good nurse, see? TO YOU, a "higher power" is G-d------but.....
A "higher power" to say, a Buddhist is not really *G-d* as many Christians would define Him.........or to a Wiccan----or to certain Native American belief systems-----or TO MANY WORLD WIDE!
THAT is what I am driving at here. i WOULD think as nurses, we as well or better than ANYONE could see and understand this.
I know it was a mistake but that was good enough to post twice blueyes, LOL! For some people the higher power may just be a force present in the world, not a being or person at all. It is necessary I think as a nurse to realize not everyone is Christian, and not to preach at them or judge them.
As previously said, God is not necessarily the same as a "Higher Power (HP)". To other's, a HP can be something as "simple" as fate. To some, even believing in superstition, astrology or clarvoyents is a form of a HP, and plays a part in their decision making and the way they act.
A person's spirituality can also be very different, although people can often confuse this with having a religious belief. For example, I went whale-watching and found it a very spiritually fullfilling moment. It wasn't anything to do with a HP or God. It was just bloody fantastic!
As previously said, God is not necessarily the same as a "Higher Power (HP)". To other's, a HP can be something as "simple" as fate. To some, even believing in superstition, astrology or clarvoyents is a form of a HP, and plays a part in their decision making and the way they act.
A person's spirituality can also be very different, although people can often confuse this with having a religious belief. For example, I went whale-watching and found it a very spiritually fullfilling moment. It wasn't anything to do with a HP or God. It was just bloody fantastic!
I know what you mean. Beauty is sometimes so beautiful rather than let it be bloody fantastic, many people view it as created that way by God.
To me a higher power is simply having some sort of faith outside of myself. The universe is a higher power, the sun rises and set every day, I have faith in that.
Love is a higher power to me. I have faith my spouse loves me today and tomorrow and will never die. (even if we break up for some reason, love will never die)
Principals are a higher power to me. Dignity, honesty, respect, etc. I hold true to those things, I know all will be well. I trust that.
I believe to be a good nurse you must be a kind, caring person who can empathize with those in need and be able to give of yourself to others. I do not believe any particular belief system is required for someone to have these characteristics.
There are atheists, agnostics, Christians, Buddhists, Moslems, etc. who are great nurses. They are atheists, agnostics, Christians, Buddhists, Moslems, etc. who are not great nurses. It all depends on the individual.
Personally, I believe in God and pray for His guidance in my life. I believe He led me to nursing and I rely on His strength to help me become the best nurse I can be. But I do not think my beliefs are a prerequisite to be a good nurse.
I think those Christians who judge and condemn others because of their beliefs are in error.
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1 John 4:20
*This is just my belief and is in no way meant to offend or criticize others.
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Higher power or God can be one in the same, or two different, uh, lack of better word, "things". All in the person's perception.
To me the higher power is God, but like i said, that's just me.