In a minimum of 1,100-2,000 words, provide a comparative analysis of the different
belief systems, reinforcing major themes with insights gained from your research.
In your comparative analysis, address all of the worldview questions in detail for
Christianity and your selected faith. Refer to chapter 2 of the Called to Care: A Christian
Worldview for Nursing for the list of questions. Be sure to address the implications of these
beliefs for health care.
�What is prime reality?
�What is the nature of the world around us?
�What is a human being?
�What happens to a person at death?
�Why is it possible to know anything at all?
�How do we know what is right and wrong?
�What is the meaning of human history?
research:
1.What are critical common components to all religions/beliefs in regards to healing,
such as prayer, meditation, belief, etc.? Explain.
2.What is important to patients of the faiths when cared for by health care
providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own.
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY
Abstract
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 2
The different belief systems result to the varying perspectives by the faith philosophies in
regards to how healthcare should be provided. Adequate knowledge and diversity are among the
crucial elements that should be possessed by the healthcare providers since the patients they
serve are from diverse faith domination. In this case, spirituality is considered when providing
healthcare with the aim of ensuring the people from a variety of faiths get the satisfaction of the
services. In this paper, the focus would be on the two faith philosophies namely Buddhism and
Christianity.
Healthcare Care Provider and Faith Diversity
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 3
The Christianity and Buddhist faiths represent the spiritual diversity of the patients served
in the healthcare systems. The Buddhist have put their belief on meditation which is considered
essential for their followers on healing. The provision of healthcare and healing for the
Christianity is that God heals people through the prayers they dedicate to him. The
administration of Medicare among the two faith philosophies is said to contribute to the differing
perspectives (Sullivan et al., 2014). An example is the yoga practices and meditation among the
Buddhist which is believed to enhance better health status and quick recovery as per Buddha
their founder. Such practices are also believed to help in achieving self-confidence optimism
resulting in reduced suffering. On the other hand, yoga is not practiced among the Christians
which is in contrast to the Buddhist.
Worldview Question Responses
The Christians consider the prime reality to be the infinite and personal God only
revealed through the Holy Scripture. In this case, he is triune, transcendent, omniscient and
sovereign. The Christians are of the belief that the reality of God comes up through the powerful
ways he reveals himself to the human beings. On the other hand, the Buddhist do not believe in
the existence of the prime reality in either the spiritual substance or material substance form. The
transcendent truth governing the universe and people is considered by the Buddhist to be the
prime reality. The Christians believe that the world is imperfect and disorderly in nature where
all human beings are exposed to cause sin. They also view the world as a human-made machine
that is created by the superior being with a reason. The Buddhist consider the world as an
impersonal existence ground that is neither favorable nor evil for the human beings (Lopez,
2015). The Christians consider a human being as a creature that cannot be degraded since it is
created in the image and likeness of God thus making humanity valuable. A special status is also
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 4
accorded to the human beings among the Buddhist who consider them as of great value similar to
the Christians.
The Christians are of the belief that the souls go to heaven after death and would be later
joined by the physical body upon resurrection. Rebirth and reincarnation are believed to take
place after the occurrence of death as for the Buddhist. Communicating with the human beings is
an active role played by God thus making it possible to know anything since God has created
people with the ability and the right capacity as for the Christians. Based on the revelations, the
Buddhist hold that it is possible to know everything. The belief system where people operate in
reference to morality is used in discerning what right and wrong among the Christians. The code
of morality developed among the Buddhist faith is also considered useful in discerning right or
wrong. The precepts include avoiding sexual misconduct, stealing, killing and other evil deeds.
The Buddhist believe that the human beings have no beginning or end thus inconceivable
(Lopez, 2015). Redemption and creation are where humanity lies as for the Christians while the
rest is on the history provided by the Bible.
Critical Components to the Buddhism Religion
Seeking divine intervention is considered to be a critical component in the Buddhism
religion. They also believe in the physical and spiritual healing. The Christians share the same
beliefs with the Buddhists when it comes to spiritual and physical healing. The Christians hold
that displaying the cross and making prayers to the Almighty God as their crucial components
which differ from Buddhism. The Buddhist do not consider prayers as part of the spiritual
support accorded to them by the clergy as for the Christian religion. The precept and meditation
are both included as practices among the Buddhist. The tranquility and insight types of
meditation make up the meditation practices in Buddhism religion. The spiritual practices are
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 5
given emphasis in the healing and health approach adopted by the Buddhist. The Buddhist are
focused on the mind development through the involvement and perfection of compassion and
wisdom (Tomkins et al., 2015). The healthcare providers offer assistance to the patients that are
interested in the practices adopted in the Buddhism religion. Adherence to the practices and
beliefs of Buddhism is envisioned as the holistic type of health in the religion. The Buddhist
have no problem with the healthcare providers as long as the patients are allowed to practices the
critical components in their religion (Tomkins et al., 2015). In this case, meditation and prayers
are vital when it comes to mental and spiritual health. They believe that the health practices are
complemented by the practices adopted in their religion. The deeper insight of the health
conditions is made possible through the Buddhist practices. In this case, prayer and meditation
are critical components that enhance reduced suffering and quick healing.
Critical Components to the Christianity Faith
Displaying the cross and praying are considered to be the main components of the
Christian faith. Similar beliefs are also identified among most of the healthcare providers caring
for the Christian patients. Prayer can be used as an alternative therapy during healing thus
complementing the services offered by the practitioners (McGrath, 2016). Good health and
healing are believed to be acquired through prayers made to the Supreme Being God. There are
cases where the prayers are administered to accelerate healing before the performance of the
medical practices such as surgery. The Christians expect that the health care providers respect
their beliefs in regards to healing. The better healing process is achieved when the Christians
pray for generosity, protection, and love which are essential components in the religion.
Engaging with the spiritual dimensions is believed to be an important component in enhancing
the wellbeing of the Christians. In this case, the Christian faith emphasizes on prayer as the
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 6
critical component while in the Buddhism religion meditation is considered more important than
prayers when it comes to healing and health care matters (McGrath, 2016).
Important Factors to Christians and Buddhism Religions during Healthcare
Provision
The patients believe in some important factors to be considered especially while
receiving care from healthcare providers from other religions. The Christian faith holds that care
providers should practice patient-centered care while also considering their practices during the
treatment process (Hossler, 2012). It is paramount to show unconditional love to the patients
during provision of care to them. Adherence to these principles enhances the better healing and
good health. In Buddhism religion, the care providers are supposed to be mindful and exhibit
love to the patients. The Buddhists believe that it is good for the care providers to work in
conjunction with the clergy thus enhancing the sense of greater acceptance among the patients.
The Buddhist also require the healthcare providers from other religions to practice patient-
centered care. Getting inspirations from the healthcare providers is also considered significant in
the Buddhism religion. Both the Christians and Buddhist are of the belief that the practitioners
should work towards addressing the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the patients
irrespective of their faith (Pesut, 2012). The healthcare providers are also expected not to force
their beliefs to the patients under their care. Adhering to the human morals and maintenance of
love are considered essential in both Christians and Buddhists.
Conclusion
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 7
The spiritual perspective I hold onto is that prayers are essential during the process of
healing. However, other practices such as meditation which are major components in other
beliefs such as the Buddhist should not be despised but respected. The most important thing
learnt is that the patients ought to be respected while the services provided should be suited to
their belief since it contributes positively to better health and quick healing. The learnings should
be applied to healthcare providers through the training curriculum. Such initiatives would help
the healthcare providers to better comprehend the differing perspectives of the patients in regards
to healing thus enabling them to adopt the best measures to suit their beliefs (Pesut, 2012). In this
case, everyone’s interests would be safeguarded by the efficient healthcare services they receive.
References
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND FAITH DIVERSITY 8
Hossler, P. (2012). Free health clinics, resistance and the entanglement of Christianity and
commodified health care delivery. Antipode, 44(1), 98-121.
Lopez Jr, D. S. (2015). Buddhism in Practice 🙁 Abridged Edition). Princeton University Press.40
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McGrath, A. E. (2016). Christian theology: An introduction. John Wiley & Sons.5 (2), 34-45.
Pesut, B., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Sawatzky, R., Woodland, G., & Peverall, P. (2012). Hospitable
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religion and health, 51(3), 825-836.
Sullivan, S., Pyne, J. M., Cheney, A. M., Hunt, J., Haynes, T. F., & Sullivan, G. (2014). The pew
versus the couch: Relationship between mental health and faith communities and lessons
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Tomkins, A., Duff, J., Fitzgibbon, A., Karam, A., Mills, E. J., Munnings, K., … & Yugi, P.
(2015). Faith-based health care 2 Controversies in faith and health care.