Different Religions Have Different Beliefs, Traditions And Values
Different Religions Have Different Beliefs, Traditions And Values
Different religions have different beliefs, traditions and values that affect the provision of care to patients. Examples are Islam, Buddhism; Christianity and Hinduism. Health care providers should be conversant with the beliefs, traditions and values of various religions in order to offer appropriate care to patients (Susan, 2005). Muslims believe in one, distinct and incomparable God who does not have a son. Muslims believe in Muhammad, a prophet sent by God. Muslims have a wide range of beliefs, values and traditions that influence patient care. Muslims believe that Allah (God) is the source of healing. Only Allah can heal. Muslims believe that Allah will heal them if they fall ill according to the Quran. In addition, Muslims claim that the mighty words of Allah are sacred and cure all diseases. The Quran is healing for all diseases related to the mind, body and soul. Reciting and blowing the holy words on a sick person releases a positive energy that counters the negative energy. Diseases and infections result from the negative energy according to Muslims.
The negative energy takes a patient from the state of ease to a state of “dis”-ease. Additionally, Muslims see diseases as a challenge, test and an added value to their life. They consider challenges and calamities in life as lessons. The body and heart are connected according to Muslims and manifestation of diseases and pain on the body is a sign that the heart is not healthy. Thus, one has to heal the heart first so as to heal the body. Hence, health care providers should provide a holistic care to a Muslim patient. Apart from reciting the Quran, Muslims pray for the sick to get healed. They pray a du’a to Allah in order to heal the patient. They believe that Allah is able to heal and depend on him for healing. Meditation is also crucial to Muslims as it enables them attain a higher state of consciousness and connect with the Allah. The Muslim beliefs and philosophies about healing are similar to Christian beliefs and philosophies. Christians believe that God heals and they pray to God for healing.
They also believe the soul, body and mind are connected, and one has to cure the soul to cure the mind and body. Christian’s value meditation as it enables them to achieve a higher state of consciousness and connect with God. Christians recite God’s word and meditate as it has healing power. However, they do not believe in positive and negative energy and do not blow God’s word on the sick person to counter negative energy(Campbell, 2006).Muslims do not encourage female nurses to touch male patients when providing care. They believe laws governing body contact between male and female have been defined by God, and they should be observed. Muslims should ensure their bodies are pure and if not purify them by washing. The rituals performed during death and burial revolve around purity. Muslims do not encourage postpartum as they consider death an act of God (Campbell, 2006).
Hindus have different beliefs from other religions. Hinduism is considered a religion and a lifestyle. The Hindus believe that the body, mind, emotion and spirit are inseparable. They claim that the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are connected and hence should be balanced inured to be healthy. In addition, the universe is linked. Personal behaviors, magnetic influence, spiritual influence and planetary influence have effect on mental and physical health. Hindus value meditation and self control as they help in the healing process. However, they do not depend on God for healing like Muslim and Christians. Instead, Hindus take responsibility of themselves and asking help from God is the last option. Hindus seek relationship with God daily and report to him their achievement and efforts. Chanting helps in controlling symptoms and pain among terminal ill patients. Hindus believe that preparation before death is vital, and they ensure terminally ill patients and other patients have time to prepare. They do not encourage sudden death. Hindus patients prefer to be cared by health care providers of their own gender. Therefore, health care providers should ensure Hindu patents get care from people of their own gender. They should also help the patient balance his mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health(Campbell, 2006).
Buddhism influences provision of care to patients. Karma is essential in Buddhist doctrine. Karma refers to metaphysical concepts concerned with actions and their consequences. Every action has a consequence, explains suffering. Buddhists believe diseases result from various things including defilement. Disease is important to Buddhist as they help them learn and strengthen them. Moreover, Buddhist believes the mind is the cause of diseases and can heal. The causes for diseases are internal, but not external. Human beings can control their destiny according to Buddhists. They can prevent diseases through purification to eliminate negative karmic imprints in the mind. Controlling the body helps in controlling diseases. Like Christians and Muslims, Buddhist value meditation as it prevents diseases and suffering. One can control the mind or thoughts through meditation and hence diseases.
Also, Buddhist believes in prayers and healing. They pray to the Buddha to heal them. The Buddhist practices differ from one culture to another. Some Buddhist chant meditative mantras and others do not. Other Buddhist chant teaching and practice meditation others do not. Thus, health care providers should not treat all Buddhist equal when providing care as it might affect their beliefs. Buddhist patients should be cared by people from similar gender to maintain dignity (Hubbert, 2008). Patients value health care providers who promote diversity when providing care by integrating patient’s belief and practices in health care services. This is because patients get appropriate care that does not contradict with their beliefs and practices. Therefore, having a chaplain in the hospital ensures patients get holistic care by meeting their spiritual needs (Komaromy, 2008).
Reference
Campbell, A. (2006). Spiritual Care for Sick Children of Five World Faiths. Pediatric nursing.18 (10):22-25
Hubbert, A.O. (2008). A partnership of a catholic faith-based health system, nursing and traditional American Indian medicine practitioners. Contemp nurse. 28(1-2):64-72.
Komaromy. (2008). Cultural Diversity in Death and Dying. Nursing management.11(8)
Susan, H. (2005). Spirituality and religion: exploring the relationship. Nursing Management.12( 6):22-26
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