Religion's Place in Nursing

[CHIRN]

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

[shel_wny]

I can't help but notice the "God speak" splashed all over these boards. I am not Christian myself, but I respect everyone's right to their own spiritual path. Just wondering if the Christianity is due to the death experienced by everyone daily at work, or if lots of nurses just happen to be Christian guys and girls.

I'm quite curious about this and I'm not interested in any religion vs. religion discussion whatsoever. Just wondering if spirituality is sort of a means of keeping yourself sane as a nurse.

Thanks!

Shel

[cenote]

I can't help but notice the "God speak" splashed all over these boards. I am not Christian myself, but I respect everyone's right to their own spiritual path. Just wondering if the Christianity is due to the death experienced by everyone daily at work, or if lots of nurses just happen to be Christian guys and girls.

I'm quite curious about this and I'm not interested in any religion vs. religion discussion whatsoever. Just wondering if spirituality is sort of a means of keeping yourself sane as a nurse.

Thanks!

Shel

Unfortunately, you are confusing religion and spirituality. Many people are spiritual without being religious. And I know many "religious" people who are not spiritual. Sprituality doesn't have to have anything to do with belief in Christ as the savior. It can simply be defined as having a feeling of well being and peace with one's place in the world. Our obligation as nurses is to assist our patients to find comfort in whatever brings them this feeling of well being.

If a patient asks me to pray with them and I am not of their belief, I simply bow my head and let them lead. Anything contrary actions on my part would be a violation of my oath to "do no harm".

[Stitchie]

I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school, university, etc. I was married in the Catholic church. Then when my husband and I couldn't have children, I heard from many other Catholics was "It's God's will".

I was even told that I would go to h*ll if I chose assisted reproductive technologies, which I did anyway, to no avail.

That broke my heart in more was than you can imagine. But that's another thread.

I no longer consider myself a Catholic, although I work at a Catholic hospital. I have found this institution to be 20 years behind in technology, etc that it's been a difficult transition for me. Perhaps this is the h*ll I was meant to go to.

I do consider myself a Christian, and a good one, but I do not bring that to work with me. Catholicism simply doesn't feed me anymore.

I would never tell someone in pain that it's "God's will" or that there is divine reasoning for dying in horrible pain. I'd argue for more pain medicine for my patient if that's what they want. I don't see anything redemptive about unrelieved pain, no matter what our "Spiritual leaders" say about it.

If a patient wants a pastor/priest/rabbi, I will happily call the requested person for them to pray/talk/confess.

[Kyriaka]

I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and it is part of who I am. I dont push my faith on other people. If they ask me a question I answer it (my Easter is almost always 2 weeks--5 weeks later than everyone elses so that usually starts a discussion in the workplace). :)

But the one thing that just irritates me is people coming up to me (particularly in this part of the country) and saying, "but do you know 100% that you are saved!?"

[leslie :-D]

well i'm glad this isn't going to be one of those religion discussions. i think that nurses were probably spiritual before they entered nsg....better yet, let me speak for myself; i've always been very spiritual and it has helped me in numerous ways as a nurse. i work mostly with people that are dying and my spirituality has made me unafraid of death. my spirituality has assisted me in acceptance and handling of troubling situations everywhere in my life. this is an invaluable tool in nursing, i strongly believe.

leslie

[Stitchie]

I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and it is part of who I am. I dont push my faith on other people. If they ask me a question I answer it (my Easter is almost always 2 weeks--5 weeks later than everyone elses so that usually starts a discussion in the workplace). :)

But the one thing that just irritates me is people coming up to me (particularly in this part of the country) and saying, "but do you know 100% that you are saved!?"

Does anyone?

[leslie :-D]

to be a 'non-christian' is not synonymous with not believing in a God. and i find it disrespectful for anyone to say that you're going to be condemned to hell since you didn't believe in Jesus. and fran, i'm sorry because i do respect you, but for Jesus to be resurrected to give us non-believers another chance is your belief, nothing more and nothing less. i understand 110% what sbchic is saying....i just am having much difficulty in understanding on the absolutism of true christians. why can't people just embrace each others' beliefs knowing that each of us believes in a God? and for those that don't believe in a God, well, that's to be respected also. i just don't understand. and i'm not talking about trying to understand christianity, rather, people's rigidity in what their truth is.

[leslie :-D]

to be a 'non-christian' is not synonymous with not believing in a God. and i find it disrespectful for anyone to say that you're going to be condemned to hell since you didn't believe in Jesus. and fran, i'm sorry because i do respect you, but for Jesus to be resurrected to give us non-believers another chance is your belief, nothing more and nothing less. i understand 110% what sbchic is saying....i just am having much difficulty in understanding on the absolutism of true christians. why can't people just embrace each others' beliefs knowing that each of us believes in a God? and for those that don't believe in a God, well, that's to be respected also. i just don't understand. and i'm not talking about trying to understand christianity, rather, people's rigidity in what their truth is.

sorry sbic56, i called you sbchic...

leslie

[Kyriaka]

Stitch,

There are people who know (or think they know) 100%. It is my thought that no one knows a mans heart.

Your faith is who you are. If someone wants to know what I believe I dont mind saying and if they want to know more about Orthodoxy I will tell them.

But I believe that your faith should show. You shouldnt have to talk about it. It should show enough for people to want to ask.

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

to be a 'non-christian' is not synonymous with not believing in a God. and i find it disrespectful for anyone to say that you're going to be condemned to hell since you didn't believe in Jesus. and fran, i'm sorry because i do respect you, but for Jesus to be resurrected to give us non-believers another chance is your belief, nothing more and nothing less. i understand 110% what sbchic is saying....i just am having much difficulty in understanding on the absolutism of true christians. why can't people just embrace each others' beliefs knowing that each of us believes in a God? and for those that don't believe in a God, well, that's to be respected also. i just don't understand. and i'm not talking about trying to understand christianity, rather, people's rigidity in what their truth is.

Great post. I believe in God and Jesus. I pray almost every day. However, I do not call myself a christian becaue of the poor character, self-righteousness and intolerance in others' beliefs that I see in so many "christians."

I have a magnet on my fridge that sums up my feelings. It says "Christians aren't perfect- but they expect you to be."

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Basically I think religion helps people cope with life period. Not just nursing. A person would be a hypocrite not to have their faith with them at all times, including their time as a nurse.

I don't think nursing has a higher incidence of Christianity. Christianity is the dominant religion of America.

I've found nurses to be a bit more tolerant than than other professions. Tolerant of altnerative lifestyles, religions, etc. So that may be why it's so freely discussed and shown here on this bb. (Although there have been many a heated discussion.) :)

[camiluvsNURSING]

Could anybody post a reply without being judgmental!!!!....I DID!

AND SECONDLY..... I am a believer that's why I chose to read the original post and comment, but what I don't understand is If someone is a non-believer atheist or whatever, WHY WOULD YOU EVEN CARE TO READ IT?... since it is not something you believe in!