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Discuss the importance of faith in healing
Religious considerations in healthcare
Discuss the importance of faith in healing
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Faith healing among have been a common practice between many religious groups, however for many non-believers such as have been seen as non-necessary. According to Mormons and the popular culture, “Faith does not simply believe that something will happen before it does. Faith is knowing that the provisions have been made for that healing, then trusting God to manifest it on your behalf” (Hunter J, 2013). The one-sided argument presented by some unbelievers in the medical field tends to discourage those who want to use faith healing. According to Mormons and the popular culture, “the unbelievers in the medical field argue that faith healing is nonexistence due to it noninvolvement in proving care” (Hunter J, 2013). The arguments presented against …show more content…
In essence, faith healing refers to healing supposedly through spiritual means, and the believers purport that the healing process is achievable through religious faith. Ideally, faith is an in-depth belief in a supernatural being, and trusting that something extraordinary will take place (Hunter, 2013). Hence, faith healing assists a person to believe that God will intervene in their present state, deliver them from their suffering, and tribulations, and eventually heal them. Thus, they believe that it is through prayers and rituals that stimulate a divine power and presence towards disability and disease. Moreover, the Mormons assert that faith healing is a ritualistic and an overt practice of communal gestures, which includes laying hands on a sick person and praying for them. Importantly, these activities are claimed to beseech divine intercession in initiating literal and spiritual healing (Ankerberg, Weldon & Burroughs, 2009).
On the same note, the church believes that healing occurs after priesthood blessings, although they also believe that it takes place through prayer accompanied with fasting. They attribute healing to the power of God, but they seek proper medical help when symptoms persist. It is worth noting that Mormons offer testimonies of being healed after being touched by the priesthood and the priesthood giving them a blessing (Ankerberg, Weldon & Burroughs,
As Author, Amitava Kumar, shares an unusual story that tells of a law that is
Anthony F.C. Wallace’s definition, “belief and ritual concerned with supernatural powers and forces,” can be seen in this religions praying for healing, not actual medical help, but requesting supernatural or divine intervention. Emile Durkheim’s definition, “religious effervescence, the collective emotional intensity of worship,” this aligns with their intense prayers, when they are overcome with the Holy Spirit, and have involuntary movements, this is certainly an intense emotion and reaction. This could also be applied to their speaking in tongues, or “glossolalia,” which we also saw many people do. Victor Turner’s understanding, “communities, or the feeling of intense social solidarity, equality and togetherness,” even though this church eventually split in different racial divides, in the beginning it was described as a place for everyone, of all races, very egalitarian and women held positions of power, this demonstrates the social solidarity, equality and togetherness Turner
Although only a small percentage of children are dying from faith-healing practices, the awareness needs to be brought to the public. Faith in a religion has many benefits but the idea of abandoning medicine is bad for ones wellbeing. Precautionary signs of illness in infants must be treated immediately. Medicine alongside faith is the ideal situation in which many lives will be saved. Holding faith has proven to be positive for many people but one must take cautionary action when treating illnesses with faith healing as their only medicine. Faith healing and medicine collectively used with one another can yield the highest rates of recovery and general wellbeing, through reducing stress, relieving pain and anxiety, and increasing the desire to live. When the human body is able to release these stressors, one’s health has an increased rate of being cured.
Traditional healing methods were based upon traditional Aboriginal spirituality beliefs.(p18). This spiritual belief system stated that “people exist within this context as worthy creatures, but no more worthy than any other being. To live secure, healthy lives through acknowledging and respecting the spiritual as well as the physical world, because there is no difference between the two.”(p71). The whole Aboriginal culture was based around these beliefs. Everyone in the community was treated as equal with acknowledgment and respect. Therefore those who deemed to follow the cultural beliefs had no difficulty in understanding the healing practices of the people. This appreciation of equality and respect was an advantage to the Aboriginal people, especially within their healing methods.
Throughout time, mankind has persistently been seeking ways to maintain their health and to cure those that had not been so fortunate in that task. Just about everything has been experimented with as a cure for some type of illness; whether physical, spiritual or mental. There has always been evidence of spiritual healing and it will continue to be an important part of any healing process, large or small.
Religion can be defined in many ways and has different meanings for different people; some say religion is a belief in a god or gods. According to (Religion, 2015) religion is defined as faith in a divinely created order of the world. Places of worship vary from churches, temples, and mosques to list a few. For many, religion is turned to in times of distress and confusion. Many seek assistance through religion similar to how client seeks assistance from therapy. In the past religion has been used to heal, which begs the question does religion belong in therapy? In this essay I will discuss religion in therapy.
Native American healing is a general term that combines faith, spirituality, herbal medication, and rites. These healing beliefs and practices are used to care for people with medical and emotional conditions. Granting to the Native Americans, medicine is more about healing the person because they believe that illness arises from spiritual problems. Native American healing might not be capable to heal cancer, but can bear some worthwhile physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Religion and healing in Native America are a rich and nuanced discussion of Native Americans views on physical health, storytelling, history, and the future direction of Indigenous learning and discussion.
Throughout history, it seems that medicine and spirituality have been linked in many circumstances. In a study looking at the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cardiac patients, spiritual healing was one of many practices patient sought to utilize. In another study, 29% of participants chose to use prayer or premeditation as a way to cope with their chronic illness. In both studies, prayer or meditation was more likely to be used by individuals who had a large social network, as well as support from another person in the same health situation. Based on these studies, it seems that many individuals (not just cardiovascular patients) turn to their spirituality in times of health distress.
The inception of the “Healing Hospital” is not new. Healing hospitals in various forms have been around throughout history. As hospitals were slowly taken over by religious orders they became more holistic concentrating on all aspects of healing including physical, mental, and spiritual. Instead of focusing on the patient as a carrier of disease and death they began to look at them as a person that has certain fundamental needs for existence. One of these needs as fore mentioned is spirituality. Spirituality simply defined “is that which relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Spirituality touches that part of you that is not dependent on material things or physical comforts” (Living Words of Wisdom, n.d.)
In healthcare organizations, medical staff must conform to their hospital and their country’s code of conduct. Not only do they have to meet set standards, they must also take their patient into consideration. When making a decision upon a patient, medical staff must recognize religious backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. By understanding a patients’ beliefs and their belief system, a medical worker can give the patient their deserved medical assistance without overstepping boundaries or coming off as offensive. The practices and beliefs of four religions will be articulated throughout this essay to fully understand how religion can either help or hinder the healing process.
Doctors, nurses and other providers are challenged on a daily basis in an attempt to consider and assimilate their patient’s different religious backgrounds and beliefs. The recent trends and strong indications of religious vitality and diversity present a pressing need to recognize various faith traditions in healthcare ethics (Reimer-Kirkham, Grypma, & Terblanche, 2013). Christianity and Buddhism, two of the most widely practiced religions today, bring their own viewpoints concerning healthcare. These religious beliefs may have similar ideas with regards to illness and healing. However, the differences in health practices and the approach to achieving optimal
As a nurse, she hopes to become more cultured in the different beliefs of others in order to truly care for her patients in the best way. Having an understanding of what gives her strength, however, will allow her to perhaps offer guidance to those who feel lost or even pray with those who find peace in religion. Though she may not always understand the practices of others, she knows that spirituality has the power to truly help heal those in need and she plans to respect all practices and only intervene if the practices seem detrimental to the health of the patient or
According to the advocates of faith healing, there is little that it cannot do. Many religious sects claim they can cure blindness, cancer, AIDs and additional maladies too numerous to list. Some of these sects believe that illness is an illusion that may be healed through prayer either by the patient himself or by a trained practitioner.
Testerman, J. K. (1997, June). Spirituality vs religion: Implications for healthcare. Retrieved May 22, 2011, from http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_19.19cc_283-297.pdf
...oly Spirit’s gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage. Though the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, the Catholic Church carries out of what Jesus started out long ago. The Church carries out the mission of compassion and healing for the sick. I have never received this sacrament, but I do know someone who has and I do think that it help him heal. “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he [Jesus] laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.” Luke 4: 40