Diverse Faiths
In this paperwork, I am going to perform an intensive research on three diverse faiths, namely the Sikh, the Buddhism, and the Jehovah’s Witness. The paperwork requires me to compare the philosophy of providing health care from the perspective of each of these three faiths with that of the Christian perspective and giving my own personal perspective. Comparing and contrasting the different belief systems will also be included in the paper.
It is of significant essence for the health care providers to let go of their faith and integrate the beliefs of the patients in medical care. The patients may happen to come from diversified faiths, but it is important to note the fact that faith is known to play a connotation role in the health of the patient. When the patients learn that the health care providers are well conversant with their religious beliefs, it is a fact that this situation will speed up the healing process. Through a literature review, it is well depicted that the health care providers creates a necessary atmosphere for the healing process by primary understanding the different beliefs of their patients on giving the medical care (Hollins, 2009).
According to my perspective, health care providers should encourage both patients and family members to interpret how religious standards may be relevant to a hospital stay in regards to decisions about healing, relations with staff, and individual needs. It is, therefore, important for all health care providers to be educated of other people’s cultures and religions, so as to enable health care providers to giving worth cultural and holistic notice- faith diversity.
The Buddhism faith, to some extent, makes the work of the health care providers difficult, since they do not allow the administration of animal made medications. Through a literature review, it is well depicted that some Buddhists are strictly vegetarian, hence do not consume animal by- products. The Christians varies with the Buddhists when it comes to administering animal made medications, since the Christians beliefs accept the use of animal made medications. It is important to note that; those health care providers who are willing to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient are viewed by the patients as more efficient, hence speeding up the healing process (Hollins, 2009).
The Buddhist believes in the power of prayers; hence the families or the patients may pray so as to catalyze the healing process. The act of praying is done quietly in a hospital; so as to avoid creating disturbances to the rest of the patients. A string of beads can be used by the patients during the praying session. It is important for the health care providers to note that some families’ members may place a picture of Buddha in the patients’ room. The Buddha has been known as the unequaled healer because of his profound concern with mental health, his discovery of the origin causes of sickness, and healing powers. The Christians too are known to use the string beads during their prayers session. Experts have it that In order for the health care providers to do extremely well and offer the most excellent care services to patients, they should be in a position of accepting the patients’ religious beliefs in order to facilitate healing, based on spiritual point of view (Samartha, 1971).
The Buddhists and Christians believe in both the power of meditation and prayers for one to get well. The patients in both religions have faith that through both the prayers and the meditation; they can get well. According to Buddhism religion, a patient who practices meditation is said to undergo less suffering, thus meditation builds self-assurance in patients that are a vital element of healing. On the other hand, meditation and prayers among the Christians builds confidence among the patients that God would help them.
The Sikh and the Buddhist do practice meditation which is designed at obtaining both spiritual health and mental health, which is said to affect the physical health. It is important to note that visualization is one of the Buddhist meditative practices that can be used for both spiritual development and healing. The Christians religion has been performing meditation for a long time, but the Jehovah’s Witness do not allow this practice-meditation.
The Sikh religion emphasizes on mindfulness of one’s transience; hence its reception is recognized as the key to therapeutic, engendering humbleness, shifting one’s inherent goals, and incidence of the current moment. The processes of healing among the Sikh religious beliefs involve the holistic approach to the comprehension of the saintly self. It is important to note that the Sikh allows everyone to follow their own spiritual path; hence the health care providers may not find more difficult in handling the Sikh patients (Samartha, 1971).
Prayers play a significant role among the Christians, Buddhists, and the Sikhs when it comes to the healing process. Christians believe that by engaging in prayers, some innate forces would pledge their healing, hence building buoyancy among the Christians patients. The pain is said to become bearable through the power of prayers. The yoga, practiced by the Buddhists, makes the pain bearable, hence making the process of healing attainable. It is important to note that the Yoga is not practiced by the Christians (Samartha, 1971).
Jehovah’s Witness do no organize formal prayer groups for the sick people as it is the case among the Christians because they feel that is an inappropriate use of prayer. Literature review depicts that the Jehovah’s Witness religion do not practice meditation since they believe that the practice, meditation, opens the mind up, hence creating a chance to be influenced by the demons. Jehovah’s Witness religions do oppose blood transfusion, hence making the work of the health care providers difficult in saving patients who have insufficient blood.
It is, therefore, important that the health care providers should be conscious of the religious beliefs of their patient for efficiently delivering medical care. The religious beliefs of the patients should be integrated with the scientific, medical care in presenting a holistic checkup to the patients. The health care provider should take into account the religious beliefs of the patient in the track of presenting a holistic medical to the patient. According to my stand, healing occurs when there is a balance between the wits, body, fortitude, emotions, and bodily connections (Hollins, 2009).
The health care providers should, therefore, allow their patient to exercise their faith; for instance fasting, meditating, and praying together with scientific medical care. It is also a fact that being served by a health care provider with similar religious beliefs just makes it easier in breaking the rapport, thereby, speeding up the rate of recovery. A health care provider, who happens to come from a dissimilar religious belief, may find it difficult when administering the medications, but with proper education, whereby, he or she is conversant with the new religious beliefs, it becomes easier for him or her to administer the treatment (Samartha, 1971).
References
Samartha, S.J. (1971). Living faiths and the ecumenical movement. Geneva: World Council of
Churches.
Hollins, S. (2009). Religious, culture, and healthcare: a practical handbook for use in healthcare
environments (2nd Ed.). Oxford: Radcliffe Publishing.
