Health and Religion - Research Paper Example

Health and Religion Health and Religion Introduction Religion is one of the factors used top ifying, understand andshape behaviors of human beings. In fact, religious belief is one aspect of cultural beliefs of people. The world has many religions, notably Christianity, Islamism, Buddhism, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormonism, Judaism and Hinduism. Each religion has its own views of health and medicine. Some religions share certain tenets and views about health and medicine. Religions that people ascribe have great influences on their individual health. In an increasingly globalized and diversifying world, it is important to healthcare providers around the world to understand the views of different religions on health, healthcare matters and medicine. The knowledge is importation in helping the actors in the health care sectors to offer quality, respectful, dignified and effective healthcare services. Overview of the Religions Muslims Muslims believe that God is one, and that Muhammad is His last prophet. The word Islam refers to obedience and submission to God and His will with the aim of achieving self and environmental peace. When ill, the Islamic religion requires that its subscribers seek for God’s help as they pray and exercise patience (Holland & Hogg, 2010). Muslims also increase their memory of God to bring peace. In addition, the Islamic religion requires its participants to repent, give more charity, and read or listen more from the Quran during sickness. In Islamism, sicknesses do not come from God or a punishment from God. The community also believes that death is part of life and integration to the next level of life. Death is transformation and portion of a journey from the one form of life to the other. Death is also an agreement and part of faith in the Almighty God (Koenig, 2008). Buddhists Buddhists believe in a supernatural being, Buddha, who lived 2500 years ago in India. The man was sad about the miseries of old age, sickness, and death, and left his family to search for the solutions for suffering and meaning of life. Buddhism teaches that human life is part of the ongoing cycles of many lives called samsara. The circumstances of human lives and the respective cycles are subject to the governance of the actions and deeds of the individuals. Positive actions result in good outcomes while negative outcomes only lead to bad outcomes. Hinduism Hinduism believes that Brahman is the ultimate reality for the existence of the universe. The reality manifest through the various gods worshiped as possible forms of Brahman. The Hindu religion teaches that the body is just a simple vehicle to drive the soul in the world as the latter is in a progressive journey to God (Koenig, 2008). The body serves its purpose and become useless, but the soul finds another body and continues the journey until finding union with God. The religion believes that death is an important part of life. Even upon death, the true personality is immortal and never dies with the body. Judaism Judaism believes that God is the designer and creator of world and life. The religion values human life as above all other things in the world. God desires to have relationships with the people. The religion believes in the Torah as having the guidance about life issues. The religion tends to focus more on human action than beliefs. God is the ultimate provider of any life in the universe (Cobb, Puchalski & Rumbold, 2012). Jehovah Witness Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Almighty God is the creator of all things in the universe. The group believes that God had a good reason for creating the universe. Jehovah’s Witnesses use the Bible as the source of guidance about life and means of communicating God’s ordinances. As elaborated by Sorajjakool, Carr and Nam (2010), the group believes that the world will live forever and that only those living according to God’s purpose whether dead or living will live on the Earth forever. The group baptizes its subscribers by way of immersion in water. The group support family institution but have a negative attitude towards politics. Mormonism Mormonism is a religion of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) who believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The religion teaches four doctrines that include faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by Deeping in water and laying hands to share the gift of the Holy Spirit. The religion uses the Book of Mormon, which is simply an extortion of the Bible (McSherry & Ross, 2010). Christianity Christianity is largest religion in the world often characterizing with many denominations having slightly different beliefs about health and related practices. Christians such as Seventh Day Adventists believe that God loves and accepts human beings. The Church edifices Saturday as the day of Sabbath, when all refrain from work (Holland & Hogg, 2010). The Seventh Day Adventists believe that the human body is the temple of God and as should receive proper care through exercising and eating balanced diet. The Roman Catholic headed by the Pope is the largest section of the Christian religion. The Church holds the doctrines of faith that includes the Holy Trinity and the effects of Adam and Eve that led to the erosion of the original sinless life. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ came to redeem human beings from sin through resurrection. The Church views itself as having the authority to conduct God’s work through salvation, healing, and the Sacraments. Protestant Christians consider God as sovereign believe in Trinity. The Church believes that God forgives sins and will save all who accept and believe in Jesus into eternal life. Prayer is the main mode of communicating to God to give thanks and asks for provisions. Generally, Christians believe in the Bible as the Holy Book carrying teachings, doctrines and messages from God that guide human life (Sorajjakool, Carr & Nam, 2010). Overview of the Views of Illness and Health Practices Muslims Islamism requires that healthcare providers practice and maintain diligence that should focus on promoting good for the patient and the family. Care providers should provide correct information to the individuals involved in the decision-making process. The actions of caregivers should preserve the faith of the patient, alleviate suffering, respect autonomy of the patient, sanctify life, and offer the best treatment with no harm (Hollins, 2009). When providing care to Muslim patients, one should respect privacy and modesty by even knocking the door and announcing ones arrival before entering. In addition, care providers should limit eye contact with patients. Also prohibited is the act of touching a patient while subsequently talking. In some instances, Muslim believers may desire examinations performed under gowns. In situations of terminal health care, the attending care provider should consult with the patient, family, and the ethicist prior to finalizing decision-making process (Koenig, 2008). Muslims do not eat pork or consume food substances made from alcoholic products. Subsequently, drinking of alcohol and use of drugs are unholy acts. Meat for Muslims is only proper if slaughtered by Muslims, Christians and Jews, who ensure active removal of blood. Abortion is only proper if life of the mother is in real danger. Blood transfusion and organ donation are acceptable s efforts to promote life. Euthanasia is an act of murder and unholy (Hollins, 2009). Buddhists Buddhists believe that sickness and death are just part of the natural events that face all living organisms. People have no reasons to fear sickness and death. The religion believes that people should face sickness and death wholeheartedly so to alleviate pain and suffering. Sickness and death are not artificial enemies but are conditions that people should exercise care. The Buddhist religion advocates autonomy and observance of dignity of patients. However, the religion has no specific nursing care or medical issues that a Buddhist patient should address. Furthermore, the religion understands the principles of privacy and urges that care providers identify and observe privacy concerns of patients. It is also important to caregivers to seek for involvement of the patient, the family or surrogates in critical decision-making on health (Hollins, 2009). Buddhism is divided, and each depending or region considers visits by a priest during illness in different perspectives. For instance, some Buddhists of Japanese ethnicity may consider visits by a priest or a minister during illness as a sign of a premature memorial attendance. Some other divisions of Buddhism may consider visitations by priests and ministers as comforting. In that respect, the practitioners of Buddhism advice medical caregivers and health attendants to consult with patients before allowing religious leaders to pay visits. Sometimes Buddhist patients may request for establishment of alters near their beds. It is important to nurses and general medical practitioners to understand and allow such settings upon requests. In the hospitals or care units, the setting may include incense, fruits, electric bulbs and sweets. The description does not infer to the normal alter that comprises of candles, incense burner, and flowers. Buddhists encourage moderate eating and abstinence from drugs and alcohol believed to contaminate mental clarity. Within various Buddhist groups, there exist vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians. Many Buddhists do not consume meat from animals owing to great sanctity placed n life. Buddhism allows for organ donation and transplant. The religion also allows transfusion of blood. Abortion is an illegal act to Buddhist since life starts immediately with conception. However, individuals are free to use birth controls that prevent egg fertilization. The religion prefers natural deaths to induced ones. Modern life-sustaining technologies like the ICUs are inappropriate as they have lights and noises, which prevent patients from dying peacefully. To Buddhists, Western medicines have elements that weaken the body (Cobb, Puchalski & Rumbold, 2012). Visits by priests or chaplains may take different forms one form may involve the priest having simple conversations, counseling or probably hear the last that a patient may wish to share. Another form may involve recitation and meditation of a sutra. Buddhists of non-Japanese origin prefer precept ceremonies as opportunities to get comfort. Christianity Seventh Day Adventists believe that death is a time for human to sleep though in the unconscious form while waiting for the return of Jesus to resurrect. Adventists encourage vegetarian diets but restrict non-vegetarians from consuming pork, shellfish and meat of unclean animals listed in the book of Leviticus. Alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeinated beverages are inappropriate for the believers. Hollins (2009) elucidates that the Church supports any medical technique to promote life that is a sacred gift from God. Some believers also use traditional and herbal medicines to fight diseases. The church rebukes active suicide and euthanasia. However, the Church permits discontinuation of treatment if costs exceed benefits. Catholics believe that illness is part of human experience while on Earth. People become sick because they are made of blood and flesh. The sick should join their sufferings with the pain of Christ during crucifixion. Sicknesses are not punishments from God, and treatments ad medications are efforts to cooperate with God’s grace to heal. The Catholic community believes that death is the time for separation of soul from the body. The soul receives instant judgment and progress to heaven, purgatory or hell. Patients or their families may require for last anointing, prayer and provision of the Holy Communion by a priest by death. Catholics have no dietary restrictions except meant abstinence of Fridays during Lents (Sorajjakool, Carr & Nam, 2010). The group supports every effort to preserve life, but denounces medical activities such the embryonic cell technology. The opposition is due to the belief that the technique negates purpose of marriage. The Roman Catholic also refuses euthanasia, reproductive technologies that facilitate external fertilization of gametes. The Protestant Christians have different views about illness and their causes, but collectively agree that life is precious and worth protection. Some Protestant Churches advocate anointing and prayers for the sick. While some teach that people join God, and dead families and friends immediately on death, others hold that life becomes extinct until the return of Jesus to resurrect His believers. A section of Christians called Christian Scientists has their teaching based on Jesus. God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and all good and His love is inseparable from any person (Sorajjakool, Carr & Nam, 2010). The group believes that healing does not come from the human body, but from the mind of God. Medical interventions in hospitals are only necessary to births and treating broken bones that are due to accidents. Individual patients and the families have exclusive and sole right to decide and regulate the type, quality and quantity of medical services to receive. Hinduism As discussed by Hinnells and Porter (2011), the Hindu religion holds that health care providers have the responsibility of understanding concerns of patients and their families. The caregivers should communicate any concerns to people involved in the process of deciding the fate of the patient. The healthcare givers should console and offer comfort to the patient and the family and where possible provide for the needs of the family beyond medical frames. Hinduism requires that care providers respect modesty and dignity of the patients. Regarding privacy, Hindu women prefer attendance by a female care provider. Healthcare providers should understand that married women use jewels, rings, red marks on foreheads, necklaces or toe-rings to demonstrate their status. Men also wear sacred threads. Healthcare givers must always consult with patients before removal of anything from the body. Usually, Hinduism does not expect priests to visit the sick in the hospitals (McSherry & Ross, 2010). Healthcare givers should always consult with Hindus about meals because Hinduism is almost strictly vegetarian. Non-vegetarians have the freedom to eat other food except beef and pork. Hinduism faults mercy killings and assisted suicides that are common in the Western countries. Hindus prefer allowing nature to determine the fate of terminal illnesses. Individuals have the right to decide about any need for life-prolonging technologies. Abortion of any nature and condition is unacceptable due to the sacred nature of life. Jehovah Witness According to the group, illnesses are hereditary from Adam, who lost perfection and could not assure his descendant a life free of illnesses. Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in the faith healing and support medical treatment. The religion advocates that health care providers should inform the patients and the families about any instance of decision-making.the religion does not believe or practice any special rituals for those sick or dying (Sorajjakool, Carr & Nam, 2010). A body of elders visits patients and their families weekly, as they understand the conviction of the members. The elders are also the ones who pass communications to avoid misunderstandings, and ensure effective and efficient treatment by healthcare practitioners. The religion also prohibits blood transfusions. Jehovah Witness has a body called Hospital Liaison Committee tasked with ensuring that physicians objecting for blood transfusion find professionals in non-blood treatments. Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid consumption of meat with blood and animals that the book of Leviticus considers unclean. Aside the Biblical restrictions, the group have no other dietary restrictions. Nonprescription drugs and tobacco use are inappropriate for the group members. However, the group permits its members to use moderate, wine, and alcoholic drinks. Jehovah Witnesses prohibit abortion except under serious medical conditions (Young & Koopsen, 2010). Family planning is a matter of determination by couples. Blood transfusion is an evil practice that Witnesses should avoid. Artificial fertilization of human gametes from unmarried people is unacceptable. Patients have the rights at personal levels to determine organ donation and transplant. Judaism Jews regard healthcare practitioners as God’s instruments used to care for sick people. Sickness and death are natural occurrences, and not God’s punishments. As result, it is important to healthcare providers to help in relieving sufferings caused by illnesses. The religion believes that patients should have a company so that they do not die while alone. Jews encourage sick people to avoid any anxiety, fear, and guilt (Sorajjakool, Carr & Nam, 2010). The religion encourages visitation of the sick, so healthcare attendants should relax regulations on visitations. Jews have different and special eating habits, so it is important to healthcare provider consults with the patient on dietary preferences. Judaism generally rebukes consumption of shellfish and pork. Some Jews limit their eating habits to kosher cooked in kosher kitchens basic dietary laws demand separation of milk from meat products. Abortion is permissible only if the life of the mother at risk. The religion also permits organ donation and transplant. Jews prohibit suicide, euthanasia and assisted deaths. Except under a critical situation to save a life, the religion bans use of pork-based insulin (Cobb, Puchalski & Rombold, 2012). Blood transfusion is a way of promoting life and a proper medical practice. In Judaism, birth control is a private matter, but condoms are unconditionally acceptable. Mormonism The religion discourages its members consuming tea, coffee, and tobacco products. Abuse of illegal, legal and prescription drugs is a violation of individual’s health codes. The religion encourages wise choice of food materials, spiritual and physical fitness. Even though the religion has no health reservation for meat consumption, it proposes counseling so that members eat meat sparingly (Young & Koopsen, 2011). Organ transplant, blood transfusion, and autopsies are personal decisions. Abortion is sinful except in the cases of rape, incest or jeopardized health conditions of the mother or the baby. Conclusion All religions believe in some supernatural being or force that is the basis of their beliefs. Every religion has some concerns and interests in the healthcare practices of its members. In fact, religions regulate healthcare practices and preferences of their members. Islam, Christianity, Jehovah Witness and Mormonism delink God from the cause of human illnesses. Instead, the religions believe God to end illnesses and reduce human sufferings. All religions advocate respectful and dignified healthcare services to the members. Abortion is unacceptable health practice across all religions. All religions except Jehovah Witness uphold and encourage blood transfusion and organ transplants to save the life, which is always sacred. References Cobb, M. R., Puchalski, C. M., & Rumbold, B. D. (2012). Oxford textbook of spiritaulity in healthcare. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hinnells, J. & Porter, R. (2011).Religion Health & Suffering. Third Avenue; NY: Routledge Publishers. Holland, K. & Hogg, C. (2010). Cultural Awareness in Nursing and Health Care, Second Edition: An Introductory Text. 6000 Broken Sound Parkway; NW: Taylor & Francis Group. Hollins, S. (2009). Religions, culture, and healthcare: A practical handbook for use in healthcare environments. Oxford: Radcliffe Publishing. Koenig, H. G. (2008). Medicine, religion, and health: Where science & spirituality meet. West Conshohocken, Pa: Templeton Foundation Press. McSherry, W., & Ross, L. (2010). Spiritual assessment in healthcare practice. Keswick, England: M & K. Sorajjakool, S., Carr, M. & Nam, J. (2010). World Religions for Healthcare Professionals. Madison Avenue; NY: Taylor & Francis. Young, C., & Koopsen, C. (2011). Spirituality, health, and healing: An integrative approach. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett. Read More