Dialogue about Jewish Law - Coursework Example

?Husein: From the religious perspective, extending their laws to encompass other religions seems easy to them. Jewish laws are normally regarded as accommodating since they can be easily followed by other religions. David: Good example is the basic commandments from the Jewish law practiced in the rest of the world. This may be contrary to Jewish states which are run in accordance to Jewish law through special administrative courts. Individuals from Jewish background easily co-exist with others despite their conservative nature towards their beliefs. This shows why currently, the major secular Jewish defense agencies incorporate personnel capable and devoted to handling interfaith affairs. They create opportunities where members of other faith religions are allowed to discuss and dialogue. David: Health care providers focus on giving appropriate care to patients from different religious backgrounds. This calls for nurses to acquire as much knowledge as they can concern various religious beliefs and their cultural practices for the purposes of providing quality healthcare. Common "religions often encountered within health care domains are Baha’ism, Buddhism and Sikhism" (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). However, such religions share a number of similarities and differences. Diversity in religions and faith belief systems provides enough challenges within the health care sector. However, health care providers are endowed with "responsibility of showing acceptance of diversity of various belief expressions" (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). Hussein: According to Sikh religion, health and healing are directly related to spirituality since they believe in the intricate relationship between body, spirit and mind. Within the same line of belief, body is believed to serve the purpose of housing the spirit, which ultimately connects people with God. Sikh religion majorly believes in meditation, which forms an integral part of daily livelihood from family and on an individual level (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). Husein: Sikh contains prayers meant specifically for one's healing and peace, which are provided in form of hymns. Prayer is believed to have powers necessary for acquiring courage, hope, acceptance and understanding of deep meaning of illness. According to the religion, God carries out his will on sicknesses either through prayer or traditional medicine. Some believers prefer to accept God’s will rather than follow medical prescriptions from physicians. They are at liberty to combine Western medicine with traditional herbs as well as other available therapies. There are extensive teachings on destructive nature of illicit drugs, which according to Sikh, should be avoided by all means since they are believed to interfere with body functions, hence detrimental in the process of pursuing godly life. The religion partly allows issues on birth control since it is viewed as a form of disruption to natural cycle of life from different perspectives. (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). David: A meditation on the scriptures and prayer are considered to be of profound importance, which is done with the assistance of family members. Concepts of prayer and meditation can be performed in an active form by patients or they may be passive in form of hymns (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). All practices surrounding health care should give much attention to the holistic healing of the mind, body and spirit. Spiritual healing helps the process of identifying and appreciating the importance of an empowered life based on true self-worth. Healing experiences assists individuals in living lives that are limitless. Healing in the spirit as mentioned by most religions, demands leaving the concerns of the physical body and embracing the supernatural light. Husein: However, most of these experiences are extensively dealt with in the physical body. It is an important aspect for individuals to long for a recovery from a spiritual perspective. This assists medics in identifying the fact that malfunctioning body organs can be well rectified from the spiritual perspective. David:The concept of religious diversity within health care is influenced by cultural background and belief system. Husein: However, awareness of various religious practices of different groups assists when dealing with their health cases. Patients and families are encouraged to approach health matters with an attitude of cultural and religious humility. It is important to note that approaching health issues with an attitude of cultural and religious competence is detrimental. While attending patients from different religious backgrounds, some aspects should be considered as the basis for evaluating the health of each patient and his or her family. David: Another area of importance is in the nature of language used in the process of discussing patient’s illness and diseases. It includes an extent to which patients should be open in discussing diagnosis and prognosis. In such cases, it is important to determine those concerned in making decisions concerning health, society, a family or an individual. Various religious aspects, such as the meaning of death, belief in miracles and life after death, are of great importance during the health care process. Hussein: Additionally, it is also important to determine people who may be concerned with the issues of examining their bodies. Moreover, it is important to take into account issues concerning age, gender among many others. Also of importance is taking into account political and historical context, such as poverty level, background, one's status and ease of access to defined care (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). David: Different religious groups have different believe system in the provision of the healthcare. Physicians and nurses amongst other health practitioners are expected to be knowledgeable about various patients’ religious beliefs in order to deliver the medical care that would satisfy the patients physically and emotionally. Hussein: However, "in the process of providing medical care, religious faith and beliefs of the patient should be coupled with scientific medical care for reasons of offering holistic medical care to patients from different religions" (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). It is important for medical personnel consider religious belief of patients in the process of treatment or offering any form of medical care. Christianity, Buddhism, Sikh and Baha’i belief systems are considered for the purposes of finding out concrete similarities and differences used when providing health care. One of the similarities is based on the fact that the process of recovery of a patient is possible in case his or her mind and body are equally harmonized. Hussein: There exist apparent similarities in the system of provision of the healthcare of Buddhism and Christianity since in both religions, everything revolves around religious practices being a condition for a person to resume one's health. Most of the religions discussed believe in power of prayers and meditation as means for attaining wholeness in physical and spiritual health. Most patients from different religions consider importance of faith in prayers and meditation. The two concepts of prayer and meditation are considered crucial especially when considering dealing with current sufferings. In accordance with Buddhism, patients who frequently get involved in meditation, suffer from less pain, as such, meditation is believed to encourage patients, being a vital component in the process of one's healing. On the other hand, concept of meditation and prayers within Christian’s belief system creates confidence amongst patients hence allowing supernatural intervention (Puchalski and Romer, 2000). Hussein: Spiritual healing can be considered as a self-growth aspect used as means of expanding an individual’s awareness on importance of spiritual realm used as means of living stronger and means of empowered lifestyle. The concept of spiritual healing is accessible to everyone regardless of religious background. Healing considered from the spiritual perspective is based on the Universal truth explaining that the foundation of wholeness originates from the spiritual realm. Most religions consider the fact that a human being in reality comprises Soul and Spirit having physical experience, with God being the originator. All other aspects of human life, such as personality, emotions and physical body are all extensions of spiritual nature. David: Religion such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Baha’i are all believed to have originated as a result of the covenant between God of the ancient Israelites and ancestor Abraham. The beliefs describe specific leaders who led the Israelites from captivity in Egypt to the Promised Land. They describe leaders such as Moses leading the people out of captivity and giving them the law from God. Then Joshua leads them into the Promised Land where they were later ruled by kings, the first king being Saul succeeded by David then Solomon who built the first temple in Jerusalem. Jewish religion believes in one God who posses absolute power and wisdom and deserves to be worshipped .This same God marvels at good deeds but punishes evil. They believe in absolute goodness in God’s creation hence no need for a saviour. At the same time they believe that they are the only God’s chosen people waiting for the coming of Messiah who will ultimately gather them into Israel and rebuild the destroyed temple in Jerusalem. Reference Puchalski, C,& Romer, A.(2000). Taking a spiritual history allowsclinicians to understand patients more fully. Journal of Palliative Care, (3) 129-137 Read More