Necessary to believe in God?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

Sheesh.

goober4699 · Sep 9, 2003

i agree with the post about atheism. I completely agree, I think our only belief in god is the belief we have been conditioned into accepting. I myself do not believe in a God, I think the idea is illogical and unrealistic. I belive organized religion was created to exibit some sort of control over the society at whole. For example someone might not think twice about killing someone regardless about what the law states, however bring into account the idea of a mystical all powerful supreme being who may punish them afterwards and they may rethink there plan. Could this be why the government supports religion so strongly? I think so, it keeps a sort of unchaotic stability going on. I come from a family of mixed believers and non believers and yet I think that overall it is dependent on how much someone needs to believe. Some ppl need to know that there is soemthing else after our time on earth and some really dont care. I agree with the latter. The philosophical statement that ppl created god seems much more believable then the idea that god created ppl. If everyone today that believed was to die, then there would no longer be a concept of god and therefore god as a belief would cese to exist. Geez brings me back to philosophy 101 LOL.

bottom line, no i do not think belief in god is required to practice nursing or any other health related profession. I think what is more important is compassion and above all belief in humanity.

Eddye · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by RNFROG3
...I also wouldn't want to back off and not help them in their final minutes. ( Iwork ER so it could be minutes) hope thsis helps>

This raises another question, is it wrong to be opposed to praying to someone if praying is not in your belief structure?

Originally posted by redshiloh
To not believe in God is inherently lonely. ...

I agree with the posts after yours that disagree with u red, but I am curious why you feel this way.

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
...But I DO BELIEVE IT IS HELPFUL TO BELIEVE IN A CAUSE/POWER greater than OURSELVES and serve a good purpose on earth.
Does that make sense?

Thank you BluEyes, this does make perfect sense. I don't quite understand what you are saying by "a cause/power greater than ourselves" though. Do you mean a god or do you mean anything that can be greater than each of us, such as the betterment of our societies as a whole? (I realize this may sound a bit argumentative, but I am sincerely curious how others feel about this subject.)

Originally posted by LPN2Be2004
Not necessary for some, however my faith is strong, and if anyone wants to hear how i feel, etc, they can ask. IT IS A PERSONAL DECISION AFTER ALL

I asked. :)

Originally posted by REDEEMED
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN, SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you. I am somewhat familiar with the Christian faith as that is the path to which the majority of my own family claims to have been called. As stated, I DO believe in the necessity of religion to maintain societies in a civilized fashion. Religion is the basis for most of the laws that govern how we treat each other. Few things are truly more important than a reason not to literally be at one another's throats night and day. As a member of the military, I swore before many witnesses (and that possibly existant entity) that I would uphold everyone's freedom to practice (or not) whatever religion they choose (or don't). What I don't understand here is, Are you saying that you are religious and simply opposed to my question, or are you saying that you feel it is necessary for ALL care givers to believe in a Higher Being? If you are saying the latter, then why?

Thanks so far everyone. Most of you have very well-stated opinions and have given me some idea that as long as caregivers are rational, intelligent, educated, and compassionate (can't forget that one!), then there is no reason a subscribed religion is necessary in that person's life in order to render effective aide to the suffering.

Any other thoughts on this are really appreciated.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

This is why i won't launch into why or why i don't believe this, that, or whatever. There are plenty of people shouting from either side of the fence. Just beware of the splinters.

CashewLPN, LPN · Sep 9, 2003

hmm... be wary of splinters.... that is a good phrase....

I think most, if not all religions, pared down are all good and beautiful...

and, to believe(or not) in them, can be a good thing... then again... there can be too much of a good thing... thats when extremists come out... (does my idea come across? does that make sense?)

but, when one is a person, let alone a nurse.... the idea of believing in religion, or not believing in religion is a personal preference, and, to each individual, individually different...

hmm.... I wonder what the world would be like if we all had exactly the same beliefs, exactly the same ideals, exactly the same morals.... all I can say, is, we probably wouldnt be a species I would affiliate myself with.

thoughtfully yours...

Reverently (Reverendly, perhaps...:))

-=Barbara

Angelica · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by Eddye

As stated, I DO believe in the necessity of religion to maintain societies in a civilized fashion. Religion is the basis for most of the laws that govern how we treat each other. Few things are truly more important than a reason not to literally be at one another's throats night and day.

I believe that religion is but one method humans have devised to create a civilized society. I do not believe, however, that religion is the basis for the laws that govern how we treat each other. I think it is a common misconception that morality comes from religion, but I believe it is the other way around. Humans have succeeded because we have an extremely strong survival instinct. Humans developed a social code and religion, not for the betterment of society, but to ensure our own survival, and that of our progeny. Afterall, how unpleasant and stressful would it be if we were at each other's throats night and day. These rules of order have generally served us well and have become part of who we are as a species. And I think that's a good thing.

magRN · Sep 9, 2003

I've just completed a college course regarding the study of religion and it stated that 90% of Americans did believe in God....

goober4699 · Sep 9, 2003

I love being a part of the minority!!!! the 1% of civilization and now the 10% of American people

Eddye · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by magRN
I've just completed a college course regarding the study of religion and it stated that 90% of Americans did believe in God....

Thanks Mag, but that doesn't answer the question about how you personally feel on the subject.

Gator,SN · Sep 9, 2003

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?

I don't think it matters if a care provider believes in God or not and certainly not necessary. In nursing we are taught acceptance of all people regardless of religion, race, creed etc. I have witnessed a nurse who was clueless about a patients religion researching the matter so she could take better care of the patient and their needs. Never once was it brought up if the nurse agreed/disagreed with the family or client, nor should it be.

When it was all over, it was the family that sent the nurse a thank-you cand for all that she had done to help him die with dignity and pain free.

If you do believe in God and heaven and all that goes with it, you still have only a finite number of days to ensure that you have made your mark and found some happiness.

Gator

gingerzoe · Sep 9, 2003

I do not think you need to believe in God-but it certainly helps.

The longer I am in nursing the more I do believe in a supreme being and angels. There have been things in my life that there is no explanation for so a belief in God is comforting- for nurses and patients alike. I have been in the health care business for 25 years.

Tink RN · Sep 9, 2003

Wow.

Does religion influence your ability as a health care worker? I don't think so. In fact, it would be sad to think the only reason I chose to treat people with dignity and respect was due to a belief in a higher power telling me to do so.