Yesterday

MidLifeRN2012 · Oct 11, 2014

Esme CURRENTLY ...in the modern era ... Christians are not killing others . That would be Islam that is killing non-believers (infidels )

Would that not be considered 'forcing beliefs down someone's throat'? That is if you still have a throat after they lop off your head for unbelief. I'd rather speak with a proselytizing Christian any day LOL

And re-read where I said 'if they bring it up'. If someone brings up the subject of faith then I will definitely be bringing up mine.

Funny how every other form for spirituality is okay to discuss (astrology, past lives and similar BS) but the Christian must keep silent. No thank you. Freedom of speech covers Christians also and I will take advantage of that right whenever appropriate

duskyjewel · Oct 11, 2014

And to be respectful god is not real to the person who doesn't believe. It goes both ways.

If you have a problem with religious and spiritual topics in regard to nursing, perhaps you should avoid this particular forum.

macawake, MSN · Oct 11, 2014

OP, atheists are everywhere and I’m astounded that it’s taken you close to three decades to meet a person who identifies themselves as such. If the atheist is a patient under your care, I fervently hope that you’ll manage to remain professional. Most patients, especially ones who don’t share your belief, could care less about your beliefs. Nursing is about the patient, not about you. This patient doesn’t need you to love them more then you’ve ever loved anyone before. She or he simply needs you to provide professional, competent and compassionate nursing care.

....if a person sincerely believes that another will spend eternity in hell while rejecting a God they claim does not exist, it is sinful and hypocritical for us not to warn that person. We do so with genuine care for the person. The message is simple that Jesus was God in the flesh who died for the sins of the world so that anyone who will humble themselves before a holy God and admit to having sinned against God may receive forgiveness of sins. This is not arrogant, it is the truth....
....Unbelief of course, is only one of the sins that separates us from God. The scripture declares that even liars will be cast into the lake of fire in Revelation 21:8. God is serious about sin to the point that he sacrificed his own son. Anyone who repents and trusts Jesus to be their savior will have everlasting life. If I'm being consistent with my worldview, wouldn't you expect me to have enough love and concern to warn you of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come? It seems to me that you should expect this from a Christian who has the love of God in them. Would you rather me simply be silent while I see you marching happily into hell saying "there is no God".

Not only would I want you to be silent, I would actually expect you and any other professional nurse to keep your private beliefs to yourself. Nursing is about the patient, not about you. Telling a person that they will be tortured for all eternity if they don’t subscribe to your beliefs is a vile action, in my opinion it’s tantamount to an emotional assault. To do this to a patient who’s vulnerable and who depends on your care, is grossly unethical and unprofessional. In no way would I ever regard this as an act of love and concern. Your intentions may be good and it might be beautiful to you, but to me imposing your beliefs on someone who might be weakened and defenseless by illness, dependency on healthcare professionals and fear, is an ugly act.

If you think that I’m being harsh in my opinion, do a thought experiment. What if I as a nurse were to tell a very sick or dying Christian person, that their beliefs is a joke and that there’s no such thing as an afterlife. They will simply die and decompose. Wouldn’t that be the very height of cruelty? I think it would, and the mere thought of saying something like that to another human being makes my moral core disintegrate in shame. Such an atrocious and utterly heartless act would be truly evil.

A few random thoughts aimed at no one in particular:

I have never tried to convince a religious person that their belief is flawed or misguided.

I personally expect the same in return. A patient has a right to not be subjected to their nurse’s beliefs, whether that nurse is a Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist or Wicca (or anything else).

What we do in our own time as far as expressing our own spiritual and religious beliefs is our own business. When we assume the professional role of nurse it ceases to be that. Nursing is about the patient, not about us. It’s not about freedom of speech or religious beliefs, it’s about a nurse’s professional role and responsibility. We as nurses are in a position of power, don’t misuse or abuse that power.

RescueNinjaKy · Oct 11, 2014

I mean I'm agnostic, but basically I would just like you to treat me as you would any other human being. My religion is mine alone, I will not treat you any different because of what I believe or what you believe and I only ask for reciprocity.

But for some real talk, of course if you choose to pray for me in your own time, go ahead and practice your religion, just don't make it blatantly over zealous or push it onto me cuz like, you're gonna make me uncomfortable and scare me away.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

OP, atheists are everywhere and I'm astounded that it's taken you close to three decades to meet a person who identifies themselves as such. If the atheist is a patient under your care, I fervently hope that you'll manage to remain professional. Most patients, especially ones who don't share your belief, could care less about your beliefs. Nursing is about the patient, not about you. This patient doesn't need you to love them more then you've ever loved anyone before. She or he simply needs you to provide professional, competent and compassionate nursing care.
Not only would I want you to be silent, I would actually expect you and any other professional nurse to keep your private beliefs to yourself. Nursing is about the patient, not about you. Telling a person that they will be tortured for all eternity if they don't subscribe to your beliefs is a vile action, in my opinion it's tantamount to an emotional assault. To do this to a patient who's vulnerable and who depends on your care, is grossly unethical and unprofessional. In no way would I ever regard this as an act of love and concern. Your intentions may be good and it might be beautiful to you, but to me imposing your beliefs on someone who might be weakened and defenseless by illness, dependency on healthcare professionals and fear, is an ugly act.
If you think that I'm being harsh in my opinion, do a thought experiment. What if I as a nurse were to tell a very sick or dying Christian person, that their beliefs is a joke and that there's no such thing as an afterlife. They will simply die and decompose. Wouldn't that be the very height of cruelty? I think it would, and the mere thought of saying something like that to another human being makes my moral core disintegrate in shame. Such an atrocious and utterly heartless act would be truly evil.
A few random thoughts aimed at no one in particular:
I have never tried to convince a religious person that their belief is flawed or misguided.
I personally expect the same in return. A patient has a right to not be subjected to their nurse's beliefs, whether that nurse is a Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist or Wicca (or anything else).
What we do in our own time as far as expressing our own spiritual and religious beliefs is our own business. When we assume the professional role of nurse it ceases to be that. Nursing is about the patient, not about us. It's not about freedom of speech or religious beliefs, it's about a nurse's professional role and responsibility. We as nurses are in a position of power, don't misuse or abuse that power.

THIS!

And THIS:

I mean I'm agnostic, but basically I would just like you to treat me as you would any other human being. My religion is mine alone, I will not treat you any different because of what I believe or what you believe and I only ask for reciprocity.
But for some real talk, of course if you choose to pray for me in your own time, go ahead and practice your religion, just don't make it blatantly over zealous or push it onto me cuz like, you're gonna make me uncomfortable and scare me away.

That. Is. All....

sjalv · Oct 11, 2014

Well said Larry3373:)
I am amazed at those here who say they are Christian but will gladly watch someone head off to Hell just to be 'tolerant of others beliefs'. If they bring up the subject we must tell them . Then it's between them and God. That's not forcing a belief. Islam forces their beliefs with violence ...more than any Christian would. Nobody is up in arms over that
People only tend to say they are 'Christians' generically , meaning only that they are not Muslim or Jewish. They cannot be true Bible believing Christians if they don't believe that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ and non-believers will end up in Hell.

It is incredibly arrogant for a Christian to try to convert someone who isn't. I don't care if you say it is your "duty" or if you do it out of "concern". The only time it is ever acceptable in the modern world is if that person asks you to explain to them your beliefs. As an atheist, if a fellow nurse tried preaching to me, I would lose any respect for them. If a patient does, I'll tell them that religion and politics are two big subjects I avoid talking about while at work. That being said, if a patient wants me to pray with them, I will gladly do so even if according to my beliefs, the patient is essentially talking to themselves.

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

If there is an agnostic reading this....please explain what you believe in or how you believe. I've always wondered what it meant, and would appreciate it coming from an agnostic person themselves. Thanks!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

Esme CURRENTLY ...in the modern era ... Christians are not killing others . That would be Islam that is killing non-believers (infidels )
Would that not be considered 'forcing beliefs down someone's throat'? That is if you still have a throat after they lop off your head for unbelief. I'd rather speak with a proselytizing Christian any day LOL
And re-read where I said 'if they bring it up'. If someone brings up the subject of faith then I will definitely be bringing up mine.
Funny how every other form for spirituality is okay to discuss (astrology, past lives and similar BS) but the Christian must keep silent. No thank you. Freedom of speech covers Christians also and I will take advantage of that right whenever appropriate

NO ONE is telling you to be silent.

I was merely pointing out that religion of ALL kinds have participated in violence to force a religion ideology and that while those who are violent right now in the news are radical fundamentalists and do not speak for all Muslims.

As an EXPERIENCED nurse I am sharing my experiences that "religion" needs to be left at the door ...in a manner of speaking. It is about the patient...not you. while some facilities are very supportive of oraying with patient s at the bedside or discussing religion with patients...others are not and will find this inappropriate behavior. When a patient wishes to pray I will bow my head in respect but I do not give religious advice or offer up prayer....even when I worked in a Catolic facility...I call pastoral services or their personal clergy for their religious needs.

Patients...and families...can turn on you in a heart beat. It is of course entirely up to you what you choose to hear what advice is offered.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

Well said!

OP, atheists are everywhere and I’m astounded that it’s taken you close to three decades to meet a person who identifies themselves as such. If the atheist is a patient under your care, I fervently hope that you’ll manage to remain professional. Most patients, especially ones who don’t share your belief, could care less about your beliefs. Nursing is about the patient, not about you. This patient doesn’t need you to love them more then you’ve ever loved anyone before. She or he simply needs you to provide professional, competent and compassionate nursing care.
....if a person sincerely believes that another will spend eternity in hell while rejecting a God they claim does not exist, it is sinful and hypocritical for us not to warn that person. We do so with genuine care for the person. The message is simple that Jesus was God in the flesh who died for the sins of the world so that anyone who will humble themselves before a holy God and admit to having sinned against God may receive forgiveness of sins. This is not arrogant, it is the truth....
....Unbelief of course, is only one of the sins that separates us from God. The scripture declares that even liars will be cast into the lake of fire in Revelation 21:8. God is serious about sin to the point that he sacrificed his own son. Anyone who repents and trusts Jesus to be their savior will have everlasting life. If I'm being consistent with my worldview, wouldn't you expect me to have enough love and concern to warn you of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come? It seems to me that you should expect this from a Christian who has the love of God in them. Would you rather me simply be silent while I see you marching happily into hell saying "there is no God".
Not only would I want you to be silent, I would actually expect you and any other professional nurse to keep your private beliefs to yourself. Nursing is about the patient, not about you. Telling a person that they will be tortured for all eternity if they don’t subscribe to your beliefs is a vile action, in my opinion it’s tantamount to an emotional assault. To do this to a patient who’s vulnerable and who depends on your care, is grossly unethical and unprofessional. In no way would I ever regard this as an act of love and concern. Your intentions may be good and it might be beautiful to you, but to me imposing your beliefs on someone who might be weakened and defenseless by illness, dependency on healthcare professionals and fear, is an ugly act.
If you think that I’m being harsh in my opinion, do a thought experiment. What if I as a nurse were to tell a very sick or dying Christian person, that their beliefs is a joke and that there’s no such thing as an afterlife. They will simply die and decompose. Wouldn’t that be the very height of cruelty? I think it would, and the mere thought of saying something like that to another human being makes my moral core disintegrate in shame. Such an atrocious and utterly heartless act would be truly evil.
A few random thoughts aimed at no one in particular:
I have never tried to convince a religious person that their belief is flawed or misguided.
I personally expect the same in return. A patient has a right to not be subjected to their nurse’s beliefs, whether that nurse is a Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist or Wicca (or anything else).
What we do in our own time as far as expressing our own spiritual and religious beliefs is our own business. When we assume the professional role of nurse it ceases to be that. Nursing is about the patient, not about us. It’s not about freedom of speech or religious beliefs, it’s about a nurse’s professional role and responsibility. We as nurses are in a position of power, don’t misuse or abuse that power.

Columnist · Oct 11, 2014

Just for clarification, the OP said

"I wonder if God has placed this person in my path for a reason. I will love her like I've never loved anyone!!!! I have a few more months with her and my heart is broken into a zillion pieces for her."

Yes she is sad about the state of the person's beliefs, but she did not say she was going to actually pressure her into changing her thinking. Christians are sad when they meet someone who is an Atheist, because according to the Christian belief, that person is headed to hell. Christians can pray silently for the Atheist. They can hope that their life is a witness to the Atheist. All of this they can do without actively "proselytizing".

As far as being surprised that this is the first Atheist she has met..... That could be a matter of where she lives. If she lives in the Bible Belt, this is quite possible.

SWM2009 · Oct 11, 2014

When my husband was in ICU on life support, I had a nurse ask me if he was saved and if not, she offered to pray for him because "you know if he is not saved he is going to hell". She probably wishes now she never said a word because I told her in many words how inappropriate that was and asked for a different nurse. There is a time and place for Jesus speak I suppose but to me that was horrid especially because I did not request any religious advice.

Columnist · Oct 11, 2014

When my husband was in ICU on life support, I had a nurse ask me if he was saved and if not, she offered to pray for him because "you know if he is not saved he is going to hell". She probably wishes now she never said a word because I told her in many words how inappropriate that was and asked for a different nurse. There is a time and place for Jesus speak I suppose but to me that was horrid especially because I did not request any religious advice.

I agree this was totally inappropriate. I am so sorry you had this experience.