DIVERSITY IN RELIGION 1
Diversity in Religion
Abstract
Healthcare practitioners attend to people from diverse cultural andreligious backgrounds. The spiritual beliefs that patients harborhave a significant effect on their health. Understanding the beliefs,and being accommodated, creates a friendly environment for thepatient and the practitioner. Buddhism and Christianity are majorworld faiths with varied worldviews. They have divergent teachings onprime reality, human history, morality, life after death anddiscerning truth from falsehood. However, they have some similarcritical components of healing, including, prayers and mediation.Understanding the different perspectives of healing professed byindividuals in the two religions can assist in moderating ahealthcare setting to offer patient-centered care. In addition,practitioners should be tolerant to the holy traditions of theirpatients, regardless of whether they are contrary to the ones theyprofess.
Professionals working in the healthcare field meet patients fromdifferent spiritual backgrounds. The religious customs and theteachings imparted on people significantly influence their healthbehavior. It also affects the values that they uphold, and that mighthave detrimental consequences on their wellbeing. According toAshcroft et al. (2007), the varied practices attributed to diversedeities have an assortment of implications on the definition of humanlife, their role in the universe, the value of existence and, thus,their health (8). This paper will compare the Christians andBuddhists’ perceptions of human life, history, prime reality, thecritical components of healing, and the benefits that accrue when anindividual professing a different faith attends one.
Worldview Questions
Christianity passed its formative stages in the 1st century. Thepractices were first pertinent in Judea before spreading to Europeand some parts of Asia. Through mission work, the religion spread tothe Western countries and Africa. The believers base their faith onthe teachings of Jesus Christ, whom they refer to as, the Son Of God.The followers also profess that Christ was born, died, rose from thedead and ascended to heaven. Moreover, they believe that he willreturn to liberate them. Through his death, Christians were salvagedfrom sin that had become inherent to humans after the disobedience ofAdam and Eve.
Conversely, Buddhism is largely practiced in parts of Asia and theWestern countries. About 300 million people in the world profess thereligion. It borrows its practices from the life of Gautama Buddha.It has gradually spread over the past 2,500 years (Murti, 2013, p.17). Buddhists pursue having a moral life by being conscious of theiractions and environment. Through an awakening process, they aremindful of their thoughts, as well as strive to accomplish truehappiness by discovering their purpose in life.
The Prime Reality
Christians trust in a deity, God. He is above every other creature inthe world (Tripp, 1999). Furthermore, he is the origin of life andthe creator of the universe through his omnipotence. The believersare convinced that God is triune with an unending love, goodness, andfaithfulness.
Buddhism has a contrary view of prime reality. According to itsteaching, there is no personal god or a spiritual deity (Murti, 2013,p. 12). In addition, the faith provides that the world exists becauseof casual actions. It claims that all things happen because of causeand effects, without being monitored by a supreme power.
The Nature of the World
Christianity infers that God created the universe from nothing.Through His word, everything came into existence. Therefore, theworld is subject to His rule and entirely dependent on Him. Moreover, the components of the world are not eternal (Tripp, 1999).Their proliferation is dependent on the will of a supernatural being.
On the other hand, Buddhism argues that the world is composed ofwide-ranging facets that are dependent on each other. It upholds thecomponents of earth, air, fire, water, and space. The elements formthe subtle constituents from which all the others emanate.
The Nature of Human Beings
Christianity contends that God created man in his image. Unlike othercomponents in the universe, that came to be through a word, Godcreated man from dust and inhaled in him the breath of life. As aresult, humankind has a personal relationship with the supernaturalbeing (Hossler, 2012, p.102). Nonetheless, his rebellious nature ledhim to disobey the Deity. The sin created a rift between him and hiscreator. However, God, through his unending love, sent his son to dieand salvage man from sin.
Buddhism stresses that human beings are the only ones in the universewho can achieve enlightenment. The religion also asserts that peoplewere present at the beginning of Kalpa. They had the capacity ofmoving through the air without any mechanical aid. However, theydeveloped a craving for consuming physical nutrients. They lost theirshining attribute, and the nutrients what different physicalappearances.
What Happens after Death?
Christianity bases its teachings on the perpetuation of life afterdeath. After the transformation, those who comply with the teachingswill continue living happily in God’s dwelling place. On the otherhand, the rebels will suffer in an unquenchable fire forever(Hossler, 2012, p.103).
Contrary to the Christian teaching on the continuation of life inheaven, Buddhism provides that only karma exists after death. Once anindividual passes on, a new being is born with a similar fate.Therefore, life is an unbroken progression of rebirth.
Knowledge
Christianity maintains that morality, ethics, and knowledgeoriginates from God. He is the absolute standard for goodness andjust behavior. The faith believers deduce knowledge by acquaintingthemselves with the information as inscribed in the Bible (Hossler,2012, p. 114). In addition, Christians receive a nonstopcomprehension of their universe by revering and complying with thelaws given by God.
According to Buddhism concepts, intelligence comes from beingconscious of the world. There is no criterion for shaping truth andfalsehood (Murti, 2013, p.37). The religion believes in personalperception and oneness with the divine spirit.
What Happens after Death?
Christianity bases its teachings on the perpetuation of life afterdeath. After the transformation, those who comply with the teachingswill continue living happily in God’s dwelling place. On the otherhand, the rebels will suffer in an unquenchable fire forever(Hossler, 2012, p.103).
Contrary to the Christian teaching on the propagation of life inheaven, Buddhism teaches that only karma exists after death. Once anindividual dies, another being is born with a similar behavior.Therefore, life is a continuous process of rebirth.
Knowledge
Christianity teaches that morality, ethics, and knowledge emanatesfrom God. He is the absolute standard for goodness and ethicalbehavior. Christians deduce knowledge by acquainting themselves withthe teachings as inscribed in the Bible (Hossler, 2012, p. 114). Inaddition, Christians receive a continuous understanding of theiruniverse by revering and complying with the laws given by God.
According to Buddhism teaching, knowledge emanates from consciousnessof the universe. There is no criterion for determining truth andfalsehood (Murti, 2013, p.37). It emphasizes on personal perceptionand oneness with the divine spirit.
Knowing Right from Wrong
Christianity teaches that God is morally perfect. Those who professthe faith believe that they are created in the image of God, arerequired to harbor such attributes. It is the responsibility of manto choose between morality and sin using the biblical teachings.
In knowing wrong and right, Buddhism focuses on the withdrawal fromthe world and becoming conscious with oneself. The ultimate realityand truth are unknown. They are not what human beings may physicallypoint out to be correct.
The Meaning of Human History
Christianity teaches that history is a linear succession of events toachieve a meaningful objective. Although occurrences may appearsimilar, each is unique. Itdoes not uphold the ideology of cyclicevents. According to Hossler (2012), history is a teleologicalprocess towards an end determined by God (p.106). All the processeswork towards fulfilling his glory.
Buddhism infers that life is a cycle of continuous rebirth.According to Murti (2013), history has little meaning (29). Those whoprofess the religion desist from understanding history as movingtowards a given purpose.
Analysis
The two religions have various merits and disadvantages that can havesignificant impacts on the health of those who profess them. Thoughnone of them is absolute, various practices support health-seekingbehavior. It is easy to predict the health behavior drawing from theteachings.
Christianity
Christianity teaches on the existence of a flawless deity. The faithhas several pros. First, it upholds the sanctity of human life.Therefore, they are likely to seek medical attention. Besides, allhuman beings are in the likeness of God. None is superior to theother (Hossler, 2012, p.98). The principle is paramount in thedelivery of services since it shields people from unnecessarydiscrimination.
Despite the supportive principles, Christianity is likely to opposepractices that jeopardize human life. Since God is the giver andprotector of life, some believers may be reluctant to seek medicalhelp in the belief that God is omnipotent and can heal them.
Buddhism
Gautama learned the art of science and medicine at a young age(Murti, 2013, p.9). He gained insight into the nature and cure ofdiseases. While Christianity focuses on the power of God to heal,Buddhism recommends a rational approach of dealing with bodily injuryand psychological illnesses. The religion’s sacred wellbeingcultivates a compassionate mind and consciousness in suffering(Murti, 2013, p.9). Prayers also make an important part of thetherapeutic process.
Components of Healing
People from assorted religious settings take these factors as vitalto remaining fit and recuperating from maladies (Hossler, 2012,p.98). Buddhism lays emphasis on physical strength. The humancondition involves suffering, sickness, old age, and finally death.Maintaining a physically energetic body can reduce the affliction.The believers achieve this state by avoiding pleasurable behaviorsthat increase susceptibility to ailments. Mental health is also animperative component of healing in Buddhism. The faith teaches thatthe states that people find themselves in are results of theirthoughts (Murti, 2013, p.17). As such, they dedicate time tomeditation and soul-searching to counter unconstructive thoughts. Thebelief stresses on compassion towards the suffering. Theirbodhisattva focuses on altruistic joy and equanimity.
On the contrary, Christianity emphasizes on prayers for the unwell.They seek the divine intervention of God (Kirschner, 2003, p. 185).They also look for medical help from health providers since theytrust that God can use different avenues to cure. Besides,Christianity encourages empathy and affection in time of suffering.The social circles that people have are critical in offering bothsocial and spiritual prop.
Important Factors
At times, sick people may be under the care of practitioners ofdifferent faiths. Christians under the care of Buddhists may find itperplexing if they are required to remain alert and conscious oftheir environment during medical procedures. While caring for aChristian, Buddhist practitioners will be compelled to allow theclose friends and relatives to engage in prayers because it is acritical component in their therapeutic process (Murti, 2013, p.12).
While caring for the Buddhists, Christian practitioners shouldmaintain the responsibility of mediation and prayer. The chantingthat Buddhists engage in should not be repulsive. Besides, Buddhisminsists on remaining cognizant with their environment and suffering.The practitioner should allow them the liberty unless when sedationis necessary and inevitable.
What was learned?
In the nursing practice, tolerance and consciousness are crucialwhile dealing with sick individuals from different backgroundsbecause faith affects health. According to Kirschner (2003),respecting the spiritual views of clients can lead to a fast recoveryprocess and a more fulfilling experience (185). This discovery canstrengthen the framework for patient-centered care.
In conclusion, sacred conviction plays a critical role in anindividual’s fitness. People in different parts of the worldprofess distinct faiths that affect their wellbeing behaviors. Thewide-ranging practices attributed to assorted deities have a range ofimplications on the definition of human life, their role in theuniverse, the value of life, and consequently, their physicalcondition. Christianity and Buddhism are major world holy beliefs,which have unique worldviews that can predict their wellbeing andresponse to suffering. Practitioners working with a heterogeneousgroup of patients should be sensitive to their divine needs. Theknowledge of spirituality can contribute to strengthening theframework of patient-centered care.
References
Ashcroft, R. E., Dawson, A., Draper, H., &McMillan, J. (Eds.). (2007). Principlesof health care ethics. John Wiley &Sons.
Hossler, P. (2012). Free health clinics,resistance and the entanglement of Christianity and commodifiedhealth care delivery. Antipode,44(1),98-121.
Kirschner, M. H. (2003). Spirituality and health.American Journal Of Public Health,93(2),185.
Murti, T. R. V. (2013). Thecentral philosophy of Buddhism: A study of the Madhyamika system.Routledge.
Tripp, D. (1999). Four Major Worldviews. GraceCommunion International. Retrieved fromhttps://www.gci.org/series/truth2
Young, C., & Koopsen, C. (2010). Spirituality,health, and healing: An integrative approach.Jones & Bartlett Publishers.