Necessary to believe in God?

Rapheal · Sep 9, 2003

Interesting thread. I think life is a journey. Some people who do not start out believing in a God will become believers, some who started out as believers will become unbelievers. Life is about choices and is a fluid thing, full of growth and change.

As a Christian nurse I many times doubt my ability to be a nurse. I wonder if I am cut out for the job. Being Christian has not made me feel that I am a better nurse. Many days I feel incompetent and ask God if this is what I should be doing. In my personal world I believe that God is here with me if I am a nurse or if I fail at this vocation. Does this make sense to you? I have made mistakes. Do I feel that God has protected me from mistakes? I am not sure. I wait to see if this is where I am supposed to be in life.

I also do not believe that Christianity or any belief or religion should be used as a sword or a shield. What I mean by this is that I witnessed some people who have not done their job or have been mean to other people. When criticized or reprimanded they then quoted the Bible on verses that suited their cause. It seems to me that some people use this tactic to defend their behavior because if you criticize them- you are criticizing God. Do you know what I mean? Have you seen this done?

If you care about your patients, if you try to do a good job and keep learning how to do it better then nursing is a good vocation for you.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by Rapheal
When criticized or reprimanded they then quoted the Bible on verses that suited their cause. It seems to me that some people use this tactic to defend their behavior because if you criticize them- you are criticizing God. Do you know what I mean? Have you seen this done?

Yes, i have, and i sit here and think "religion or the Bible is not a shovel".

I see it as holier-than-thou when people are like that. Can sometimes wind up giving everyone else a bad name.

wrightgd · Sep 9, 2003

OK ... I'll bite on this one... And if I become a target for those who haven't seen the light, so be it. This is what I BELIEVE!

My answer to your question is YES, you do have to believe in God to be a good nurse! To be a good anything... It is required in order to begin being a good (ie righteous) person. We don't have the ability to do it ourselves.

God's word clearly shows that mankind is sinful in nature... We are selfish, immoral, lacking in all ways that are good, but filled with sinful lusts and desires and all the things that are evil... Who can look at the lost world around us and argue the truth of that?

Life by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25)

16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Does this mean that Christians are beyond sin, and that we are better than non-Christians... Certainly not!! It means that we recognize our weakness and our dependance on the one true and living God to make up where we fall short.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

George

Eddye · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by wrightgd
OK ... I'll bite on this one... And if I become a target for those who haven't seen the light, so be it. This is what I BELIEVE!

My answer to your question is YES, you do have to believe in God to be a good nurse! To be a good anything... It is required in order to begin being a good (ie righteous) person. We don't have the ability to do it ourselves.

God's word clearly shows that mankind is sinful in nature... We are selfish, immoral, lacking in all ways that are good, but filled with sinful lusts and desires and all the things that are evil... Who can look at the lost world around us and argue the truth of that?

Life by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25)

[ ... ]

Does this mean that Christians are beyond sin, and that we are better than non-Christians... Certainly not!! It means that we recognize our weakness and our dependance on the one true and living God to make up where we fall short.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

George

Thanks George. I believe I can see the nature of myself without the acceptance of God (or a Christian might argue that the guidance is there and I just don't see it). People are inherently selfish. Immorality is one manifestation of that selfishness. There are plenty I'm sure. I don't disagree with you here. We can discuss whether lust is immoral or natural another time.

You said to be a good [ANYTHING, i.e. nurse], one has to believe in God. What I want to know, though, is this (and I recognize your right to your opinion, I won't attack it, just ask you to clarify): do you believe that those in any society who do NOT believe in God are incapable of a)being good people and/or b)incapable of being good at their chosen (called) professions?

redshiloh · Sep 9, 2003

I made the statement because, in my own mind, if you do not believe in a higher power, what is the point of existence? If all that happens at death is the worms eat you, then why bother trying, why be a good person, why be moral, why care for people?

I am not religeous, but I am spiritual.

I am not trying to be a smart aleck here, please don't take it that way.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by wrightgd
My answer to your question is YES, you do have to believe in God to be a good nurse! To be a good anything... It is required in order to begin being a good (ie righteous) person. We don't have the ability to do it ourselves.

I respectfully disagree. One does not have to be Christian or believe in God to be good. For an example, I look to Bhuddists who don't believe in a God.

Goodness can and does come from within.

No need to discuss because are definately going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Thanks for sharing your opinion. This is not a flame.

:)

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 9, 2003

To elaborate, I mean it is good to believe in a CAUSE greater than ourselves. One problem with our society, is, I believe, we are not raising our kids to believe in anything greater than themselves, whether it be a deity or cause or belief system. WE need to believe in SOMETHING greater than ourSELVES. We need to understand the cause of humankind is a GREATER thing than ourselves, our goals, our wants, material or otherwise. It is what makes us CIVIL and elevates us above the animal kingdom.

I see a lot of morally/spiritually bankrupt people around me and they don't seem to see a way past their own noses. How tragic a and what a waste. I can't see how we can care for others in a state like that so, yes, it is necessary to believe in SOMETHING greater than we are------a cause, a diety, humankind-----something outside our own selfish ways.

NOW does that make sense? I hope so.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by redshiloh
I am not religeous, but I am spiritual.

excellent! And I agree. Piety means nothing to me, my quest is for spirituality!!!!! And it's a lifelong thing for me....I am still a long way from self-actualization in this area.

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2003

I do not think it is necessary. I do know, only for me, I find such strength and comfort in my faith and I have prayed with a good number of clients suffering and during times of making hard choices with regard to health care and personnal stressors.

renerian

Angelica · Sep 9, 2003

I think it's unfortunate that some people believe that morality comes only from God, and that atheists are therefore immoral.

I have signed up for a hospice training class that starts next week. I want to spend a few hours a week providing respite. I'm doing it because I'm a nice person and I care about people. Of course, because I'm an atheist, some of you are probably thinking that my true motivation for volunteering is to ransack homes for loose change as soon as the family members are out the door.

ktwlpn, LPN · Sep 9, 2003

Originally posted by redshiloh
I made the statement because, in my own mind, if you do not believe in a higher power, what is the point of existence? If all that happens at death is the worms eat you, then why bother trying, why be a good person, why be moral, why care for people?
I am not religeous, but I am spiritual.
I am not trying to be a smart aleck here, please don't take it that way.

I strive to be a good person-to do no harm..to be a positive influence in all aspects of my life. My reward is the direct result of my actions...I feel good do at the end of the day when I have made a difference...

My answer to your question is YES, you do have to believe in God to be a good nurse! To be a good anything... It is required in order to begin being a good (ie righteous) person. We don't have the ability to do it ourselves.

right-eous-adjective

1. strictly observant of morality: always behaving according to a religious or moral code

2. justifiable: considered to be correct or justifiable

3. responding to injustice: arising from the perception of great injustice or wrongdoing

righteous indignation

It is possible to be a skilled and effective nurse-a "good"nurse without being a "righteous" one.....

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 10, 2003

Originally posted by Angelica
I have signed up for a hospice training class that starts next week. I want to spend a few hours a week providing respite. I'm doing it because I'm a nice person and I care about people. Of course, because I'm an atheist, some of you are probably thinking that my true motivation for volunteering is to ransack homes for loose change as soon as the family members are out the door.

:rolleyes: