Relationship between Medicine and Religion - Essay Example

?Running head: Running Head: Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Insert Insert Grade InsertTutor’s Name 09 December 2013 Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Introduction There are various faiths and religions in the world, including the major two - Christianity and Islam. Other religions include Buddhism, Bahai, Sikh, Shintoism and Native American spirituality. Generally, the process of health care provision usually involves meeting the health needs of all individuals from these religions. Therefore, health care providers are required to have diversity of faiths in order to provide the best services possible to their patients. This paper therefore will discuss three different religions, which include Sikh, Buddhism, and Baha’i in relation to health care provision diversity. In addition, the paper will provide different philosophies that these three religions and faiths use in order to provide services to their members. Besides, the paper will discuss and compare these three faiths with the Christianity as a religion (Berkowitz & Schewe, 2011). Sikh faith and religion Sikh faith is a monotheistic religion that was founded in the earl 15th century in a place called Punjab in Indian countries by Guru Nanak. Currently, there are about ten Gurus in the world. According to this faith, there are some beliefs that its members and followers must follow, one of them being compulsorily putting on and wearing of veil by all women who are members of this faith. In addition, this religion does not allow its followers to cut their hairs. Taking drugs such as alcohol and smoking are prohibited according to the faith and norms of the Sikh religion. Although the Punjab may take bhang for medication reasons, the followers of the religion are not allowed to take any intoxicant substances. Again, the religion does not allow its members to have too much materials wealth, while its members are usually expected to live like soldiers in that, they are not allowed to beg for anything from others. Besides, this religion does not allow sacrifices of animals during rituals. Given that rituals and superstitions are not allowed, Sikhs are banned from eating of meat that was slaughtered in a ritual-like manner. One of the rituals that are prohibited is the act of circumcision (Samanta, 2013). Furthermore, this religion forbids some of the various ill talks about others such as bragging, lying and even gossiping. Moreover, the religion prevents its members from involving in extramarital sexual activities unless under proper marriage procedures. The religion also requires its members to be honest and be generous through acts such as sharing of properties. This religion is very practical and very creative. It believes that God is the creator of everything; hence, He is all-powerful and is omnipresent. The followers of this religion believe the understanding of god is beyond human knowledge. Therefore, from this religion, it is clear that they value helping others and sharing of materials with the less privileged as one of the most important teachings of the religion. In addition, since the religion believes that all human beings are equal before God despite one’s color, tribe, sex, or religion, it is clear that health providers who deal with members of this religion will not encounter many problems as long as they respect the importance of diversity in their profession. On the other hand, according to Sikh religion, the members are required only to pray for God’s help during cases of sickness, as well as for forgiveness. Playing audiotapes of their songs may be required, especially to console the sick. Again, they also believe that sickness may be due to the will of God, and therefore, one must go and seek for health care to become better and to get treatment for the sickness. In providing health care services to members of Sikh religion, health care workers need to observe some of the following considerations. To begin with, the healthcare providers need to give patients enough personal space, while observing caution when touching patients due to their religious beliefs. In addition, health care providers should not affect the patients’ prayer routines. Lastly, the patient’s privacy and respect should be paramount (Mittler, Volmar, Shaw, Christianson, & Scanlon, 2012). Buddhism religion Buddhism is one of the religions that originated from India; hence, it is commonly practiced in India and parts of Asia. The religion mostly follows Buddha teachings that involve the elimination of ignorance as one of the teachings. Therefore, the religion views suffering in a different perspective such as a method of understanding and as one of the methods of teaching. Buddhists believe that sickness and other problems in life are due to some of the mistakes that one has made in life. In addition, they believe that human life is short and people can die or get sick anytime. Moreover, those who do good things cannot get bad things; hence, they believe that doing good will results into good results and doing bad would attract bad results. They believe that good health care will provide better health; hence, they should allow health providers to help them. Buddhists also believe that the mind plays a significant role in sickness; hence, it should be incorporated in the process of healing. They also encourage their members to be involved in everyday activities such as walking in the morning for long distances to receive food offerings as a way of maintaining good health. Again, walking to the destination where one is going to get health care is also encouraged during sickness. In addition, monk roles and sanitation is also encouraged, for example, sweeping the monastery yard to keep clean environment is also encouraged. Besides, according to this religion, every situation that involves promotion and improvement of health is one of the opportunities for developing the mind. Nevertheless, health care providers are allowed by this religion to assist its member without compromising their Buddhist ways. Baha’i religion and healing beliefs Baha’i, as one of the religion in the world, involves various healing practices and beliefs. For example, according to Baha’i beliefs, their religion is one of the faiths that involve and includes the teachings of all other religions. The basic teaching that is valued in this religion is morality. In addition, Bahai faith encourages equality for all people despite their race, sex, and religion. They also prevent and forbid all forms of favors, slavery, and poverty as one of the teachings that ensure the society lives in a harmonious and healthy environment. According to this religion, health providers should not be working for self-interests, but they should use the religion as one of the means of services they are offering to God. They believe that the use of medicine is appropriate; however, it also equally important to incorporate healing prayers in health care provision. In addition, members of Bahai faith believe that there is more connection between emotional, spiritual, and physical health; hence, promoting healthy eating and good diet is paramount. Lastly, they believe that the origin of sin is due to disobeying God and His laws (Fries, 2013). Comparison to Christianity To begin with, the Sikh religion has some similarity teachings as well as some differences with Christianity. Some of the similarities include the belief that God is the creator of everything in the world. Another similarity is that God is omnipresent and His powers are beyond human understanding and knowledge. In addition, both religions believe in sharing of things and even believing that all human beings are equal despite their race, religion, or sex. Besides, both religions also believe that illness may be as a result of the will of God and as a result, their members are free to seek medical care from health professionals. On the other hand, there are some differences, one of them being that Sikh religion does not allow its members to eat ritual meat unlike in Christianity. Again, Sikh religion does not allow its members to be involved in various rituals such as circumcision unlike in Christianity where such rituals are allowed. Secondly, Buddhists also share some religious beliefs with Christianity such as the belief of morality where doing good will results into more good while doing bad things will beget bad results. Although Buddhists do not believe in God, they share aspects of having clean environment with Christianity. On the other hand, there are some differences with Christianity such as acceptance of suffering as a way of developing the mind. Again, Buddhism religion has many ways and rules of monk that they follow during sickness unlike in Christianity. Thirdly, Baha’i teachings also share a lot with Christianity, although the two religions differ in relation to sickness and sin; for instance, Bahai believes that sickness and sin marjory come because of disobedience of God’s laws (Hubert, 2008). Conclusion In conclusion, from this paper, we have learnt that there are various religions, which share various beliefs and practices amid some differences. Again, from the paper, it is clear that health care providers should be aware of the various religious teachings in different religions in order to provide better services to their patients without interfering with their religious teachings and practices. Therefore, the paper will be able to help health care providers to have some clues about some of the beliefs and religious practices of the three religious faiths discussed in the paper. References Berkowitz, E. N., & Schewe, C. D. (2011). Generational Cohorts Hold the Key to Understanding Patients and Health Care Providers: Coming-of-Age Experiences Influence Health Care Behaviors for a Lifetime. Health Marketing Quarterly, 28(2), 190-204. Fries, C. (2013). Self-care and complementary and alternative medicine as care for the self: An embodied basis for distinction. Health Sociology Review, 22(11), 37-51. Hubbert, A. O. (2008). A partnership of a Catholic faith-based health system, nursing and traditional American Indian medicine practitioners. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 28(1/2), 64-72. Mittler, J. N., Volmar, K. M., Shaw, B. W., Christianson, J. B., & Scanlon, D. P. (2012). Using Websites to Engage Consumers in Managing Their Health and Healthcare. American Journal of Managed Care, 18, eS177-eS184. Samanta, J. (2013). Equality for followers of South Asian religions in end-of-life care. Nursing Ethics, 20(4), 382-391. Read More