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

I believe in God and Jesus. I pray daily- for my patients, my family, myself, our country and our world. I pray to do and give my best with my patients every day.

However, it is because of "christians" that I do not affiliate myself with other "christians", or any organized religion. There is so much "I am right and you are wrong."

So much self-righteousness, intolerance, and non-christian behavior.

Some of the laziest, most neglectful nurses I have ever worked with were the biggest bible-thumpers, going on and on about God all the time, then being so very lazy at work.

It is such a total turn-off. Therefore, I practice my faith privately.

I don't know who said it, but I love this quote:

"I love God and Jesus. It's their fan-clubs that I can't stand."

This is basically what I have said in the past too. I cannot bring myself to go to a church where I am chastized for not following everything to a "T".

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

I pray everytime I stand over a 30 foot putt for birdie

I think we need to nominate Arnie and Jack for sainthood

and Maybe Lee Trevino also

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

I pray everytime I stand over a 30 foot putt for birdie

I think we need to nominate Arnie and Jack for sainthood

and Maybe Lee Trevino also

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:

Wow....I'm really feelin' the love here...Onward Chrisitan soldier...

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:

Wow....I'm really feelin' the love here...Onward Chrisitan soldier...

Wow....I'm really feelin' the love here...Onward Chrisitan soldier...

ditto. ditto. ditto.

Wow....I'm really feelin' the love here...Onward Chrisitan soldier...

ditto. ditto. ditto.

Specializes in LTC.

Somehow I hope we can dialogue without attacking each other. That doesn't mean you have to compromise your beliefs. If you believe that Jesus Christ is the only way (that's the way I understand it), then others' insults shouldn't have to change your belief. Believers are promised persecution (most of us haven't seen persecution like in many other countries around the world). Just so we don't bring it on ourselves unnecessarily.

I agree that it's a shame for professing christians to be lazy workers, bad neighbors, etc. And I've seen this happen. On the other hand, sometimes when people find out you have a personal faith, they look for something to find fault with you. Sometimes it's almost as if they feel threatened by your beliefs.

I think, in the original post about Billy Graham, he was responding to a woman's question. What's wrong with responding to questions about your faith if someone else brings it up?

I haven't attended a church for several months. One reason is that I'm trying to sort out some things.

Specializes in LTC.

Somehow I hope we can dialogue without attacking each other. That doesn't mean you have to compromise your beliefs. If you believe that Jesus Christ is the only way (that's the way I understand it), then others' insults shouldn't have to change your belief. Believers are promised persecution (most of us haven't seen persecution like in many other countries around the world). Just so we don't bring it on ourselves unnecessarily.

I agree that it's a shame for professing christians to be lazy workers, bad neighbors, etc. And I've seen this happen. On the other hand, sometimes when people find out you have a personal faith, they look for something to find fault with you. Sometimes it's almost as if they feel threatened by your beliefs.

I think, in the original post about Billy Graham, he was responding to a woman's question. What's wrong with responding to questions about your faith if someone else brings it up?

I haven't attended a church for several months. One reason is that I'm trying to sort out some things.

Specializes in ICU.
You are so right. I know what Christ has done for me in my life,and it saddens me that there are so many out there that are lost. It is a much better life doing it the Lord's way than my way. Stay close to Jesus my sister in Christ.

I couldn't have said it better :)

Specializes in ICU.
You are so right. I know what Christ has done for me in my life,and it saddens me that there are so many out there that are lost. It is a much better life doing it the Lord's way than my way. Stay close to Jesus my sister in Christ.

I couldn't have said it better :)

Whenever a post leans toward or is directly about faith there are angry or self defensive posts in reply. It's probably human nature, esp since most of us don't see each others faces when posting. It can be easy to forget manners and the other posters basic human dignity. Kinda think Mohammed, Moses, Jesus would slap us all if they could!

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