Health Care in the Contemporary World - Research Paper Example

Religion and Theology Introduction Health care in most of places in the contemporary world is considered as a basic necessity that is supposed to be provided for all. A lot of resources have been provided to see to it that these services are provided to the society. It is also factual to state that the effective provision of these services is dependent on the effective interaction between the practitioners and the patients who seek the services. It is hence desirable to see to it that the practitioners are best equipped to effectively interact with the patients that are likely to visit the health facilities. The only shortcoming here is that globalization has nurtured an overall society that is closely knit; meaning that the people that are likely to visit the facilities are from diverse cultures. Religion reveals much about one’s culture in many ways, and this fact will be utilized in this case in a clinical setting. The intent of this paper is to shed light on three religion in the context of health care provision. To what extent do these specific faiths affect how health care is provided to the people, and are they a manifestation of all other faiths. Buddhism The significance of the Buddhist faith is paramount in this case because of one key factor; the massive following. A very large portion of the population of people of the Asian continent are devote followers of this faith. The religion was initially restricted within the Asian continent, but globalization has meant that its spread is anticipated. Clinical practitioners are in such a case expected to consider the individual cases of the Buddhist patients they offer their services to in the best way possible. The views held by some faiths differ from those of other, and this is a consideration that the health care providers have to mull over. Although it may be stated that most religions are based on foundations of fear of mishaps such as draught, floods, and so forth; Buddhism is claimed by many to be based on suffering. Fear is linked to external forces that one has no influence towards and hence people seek the help of Supreme intervention. Suffering is more specific in that it expound on all forms of difficulties experienced throughout the life of an individual. The argument here is that reality is within each individual, and cannot be found if one turns away as insinuated by faiths based on fear (Hirakawa, 2007). The faith emphasizes on the empowerment of each individual in ways to make them know that they have control of what happens in their lives (Hirakawa, 2007). The aim is to make people aware that they are supposed to make informed decisions that affect their own welfare, which also applies in a case where medical decisions are to be made. With the knowledge that individuals have to make their own decisions in a way to work with suffering of illness, and pass on in a maximal way, practitioners may be inclined to explain the significance of care so as to facilitate it. Such patients are bound to be open to the idea of health care where it is considered necessary. Scientology Many people may not be aware of the existence of the faith referred to as Scientology, and may be taken aback when it is stated that the religion is practiced in more than four continents. It can nonetheless be cited as a new religion as compared to others. It also stands out in the way it is run in a unique way; for instance, study materials related to the religion are sold to its members at a fixed amount. Even though the faith is acknowledged in the United States and other countries, some such as Switzerland recognize it as a commercial enterprise, and a cult in both Chile and France (Hubbard, 2014). The core belief amongst the people of the country is that “people are immortal beings who have forgotten their true nature.” There is a long history of the faith not acknowledging any form of drugs and health care as it was seen as a deviation against people’s true nature. Some of the materials spread to the members of the faith stated that all drugs from clinics and hospitals are poisonous and that they remain in the body permanently. The faith has continually relaxed such stands, particularly because of the criticism that consequently followed, but there are still hints of odium towards medicine and all other related practices (Asimov, 2004). Although it would be a bit challenging to offer care to those who need it and are devote followers of the Scientology religion, many today of such faith receive care. The only limitation is that care is restricted to the necessities that support life, and all others such as aspirin forbidden for the members of the faith (Sweeney, 2013). There is an apparent distinction between this faith and many others that do not restrict any form of clinical intervention. Seventh-day Adventism The Seventh Day Adventist Church is very like other Protestant Christian denomination in that it upholds mutual practices such as the infallibility of Scripture and the trinity. However, its emphasis and observance of Saturday as the Sabbath and the imminence of the second coming of Christ sets it apart. The religion was established in the mid-19th century in the United States, a region it has incessantly grown in to become an appropriate faith to consider in such instances as this (Jerry, 2003). The church is known for its emphasis on diet and health which is part of its endeavor to understand a “person.” Ever since the church was established, one of its agendas has been to promote wholeness and health. Adventists promote vegetarianism and abstinence from other foods regarded as ‘unclean’ such as shellfish and pork. Alcohol, tobacco and other illegal drugs are strongly discouraged, while some Adventists abstain from cola, tea, coffee and other beverages. A research carried out by the United States National Institute of Health in California showed that the Adventists live from 4 to 10 longer than average Californian (Adventist Health, 2014). As a result of what the faith encourages and what it discourages, the health of the Adventists is nurtured. As shown by the National Institute of Health, the individuals devoted to what the faith proclaim are healthier than the average individuals. As a result, this is bound to influence the way in which care is provided since its members are less likely to require care. The Church also has some institutions across the country that are aimed to care for its members in a pious manner than they would in any other health facility. These facilities are governed by the same principles that run the church. Christianity This is by far one of the most predominant religion in the United States. However, it may also be stated to be one that its followers do not necessarily adhere entirely towards. There is a form of divergence in denominations that make up the Christian religion, and one that acts in disfavor of the observance of the religion. Many people that identify themselves as Christians cannot fully identify with the same principles that the faith prescribes, which makes the generalization of its followers a bit tricky. Nonetheless, the religion has many abiding devotees that are true to what it encourages. With regards to health care issues, many Christians are fully open to the practices of the medical sphere as it is seen to be utilization of knowledge from God. Unlike the Adventists in the Seven Day Church that openly encourage vegetarianism, the Christians do not have some limitations with many even shunning the kosher laws in Leviticus. It would be appropriate to cite that some denominations of the faith prescribe the adherence of the Kosher Laws, but the followers are not keen to do so. In the case of provision of health care, it is less about what is prescribed and more about what actually takes place. It may hence be stated that Christianity has a minimal influence in the clinical field. The venerability exhibited by its followers is a clear indication that the faith has low influence in the way that its followers carry out their roles in life. Summary From a personal objective, it would be important to acknowledge how revealing it is to know that there actually exists a strong bond between religion and health care. It would initially be inconceivable but it makes sense when viewed from informed positions. The Seventh-day Adventism Church has significantly influenced the health of its members and consequently played a part in the dictating how the general provision of health care will be carried out. Although only a few religions in the United States have been assessed, the trend that expound on the link between religion and care is plain to see. It would be despondent to partly or entirely shun the part faith plays in the care system. References Adventist Health. (2014, January 18). A Mission of Health and Healing. Retrieved from Adventist Health: http://www.adventisthealthnw.com/misc-pages/sda-info Asimov, N. (2004, July 19). Scientology link to public schools. San Francisco Chronicle. Hirakawa, A. (2007). A History of Indian Buddhism: from Śākyamuni to Early Mahāyāna. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 297. Hubbard, R. (2014, January 18). What is Scientology: View on Drugs and Medicine? Retrieved from Scientology: http://www.scientology.org/faq/scientology-attitudes-and-practices/scientology-view-on-drugs-and-medicine.html Jerry, M. (2003). The Adventist Trinity Debate Part 1: Historical Overview. Andrews University Seminary Studies. Sweeney, J. (2013). The Church of Fear: Inside the Weird World of Scientology. London: Silvertail Books. Read More