Describe the relationship between religion and health practices of the major religions practiced in the U.S.
Religious and cultural beliefs form an important part of delivery of healthcare in a globalised world where people from diverse ethnicities and religious backgrounds need to access healthcare facilities. Sensitization of the healthcare staff to religious beliefs, practices, rituals and preferences while delivering treatment to people from different religions makes migrant populations comfortable while taking treatment so that there is little chance for conflict. Tenets of four religions have been discussed in this paper, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
The basic tenets of Buddhism were given by the Gautam Buddha in the 4th century B.C. According to his teachings all living beings suffer, desire for power and possessions can increase sufferings, desire can be overcome, and he preached his followers the eightfold path that leads away from desire (Jangubhai, 2013). The religion teaches that actions of the past life impact our life. Good actions are rewarded with good consequences Wheras negative consequences are a result of bad actions (/nichiren_1.shtml, 2005).
The main belief of the Hindus is reincarnation of the soul happens through many cycles of birth and death and moksha or liberation from the cycle of rebirth can be attained once karma has been resolved. The hindus also believe that all life is sacred and the principle of ahimsa or non-violence towards all beings should be practiced. The four vedas are ancient scriptures. These are believed to be transcripts of life and are followed by the hindus who believe in one God but worship several Gods and Goddesses. Hinduism is believed to be a scientific religion (Hawley). The Vedas are believed to be without a beginning or an end and are the work of several holy men called rishis(monks) (/v1_c1_paper_on_hinduism.htm, 1893). Hinduism is also at times referred to as the Sanatan Dharma.
Islam is followed by Muslims and they believe that there is only one God or ‘Allah’ and Prophet Mohammad was the last messenger of God. This religion appeared in the present day Saudi Arabia and Quran is the holy scripture through which the Almighty revealed his teachings to the Prophet. According to the Quran, Muslims should follow five religious duties that include prayer, observation of fasting periods, faith, pilgrimage and charity. Muslims believe that death occurs at a time predetermined by God (Taheri, 2008).
The faith of Judaism also believes in one and unique God and that God is eternal ans incorporeal. The prophecies of Moses are believed to be true and Moses is considered to be the greatest Prophet. It is believed that God rewards the good and punishes the wicked among the followers. The writings in Torah were given to Moses and that there will be no other Torah. The Jews believe in resurrection of the dead and that the Messiah or the man who will put an end to all evil will arrive (Rich). Judaism lays more emphasis on action than on beliefs. The relationship between God and mankind and mankind and God is the major focus of this religion. According to the faith of Judaism God knows all the thoughts and deeds of men. Several laws are given by the rabbi- the religious heads of the Jewish faith. The Jews also refer to God as elohay yisrael or the “God of Israel”. This tenet provides the believers with spiritual comfort but is also associated with theological tension (913.pdf).
It is important for a health care professional to understand the beliefs and cultural preferences of patients and their families regarding food, smoking, alcohol, modesty and traditional rituals related to birth and death. The health care professional needs to be sensitive to the patient’s need to practice the chosen religious beliefs and faith.
Some Buddhists may practice vegetarianism. Some patients may practice chanting or meditation and may need privacy to perform these rituals. Modesty rules may require health professionals and carers of the same gender to treat the patient. Many Buddhists do not smoke and may avoid alcohol and even coffee. Since Buddhists believe in reincarnation, they may chant and pray at the time of death and may wish to maintain calm and peaceful surroundings around the patient. Medication that influences alertness may not be preferred so that the patient is able to practice mindfulness. There are however no restrictions on blood transfusions or even organ donation. Birth control and sterility testing are allowed as per Buddhist religious practice. Abortion may be permitted (Ludwig).
Important practices include a daily bath and removal of shoes outside the living area. Hindus are usually vegetarian. Those who consume meat avoid beef and pork. Fasting is widely practiced. Hindus prefer to eat with the right hand. The family will usually want to know the exact time of birth. Name of the new born is decided a few days after birth. Birth control, fertility treatments and tests such as amniocentesis are permitted. The naming ceremony is usually held in the presence of a priest. Chanting mantras, meditation, and reading of scriptures is widely practiced. Special respect towards the elderly is shown. Circumcision is not practiced. Family prefers to be involved in decisions about care taking of the patient. Prayers are usually performed in temples. Euthanasia may be considered against religious beliefs. In case of death, a dying person may be kept as close to mother earth as possible. A priest may pour some water in the mouth of the dying individual. A dead body is usually not left alone. Family members may perform a ritual that involves bathing the body. Hinduism is not against organ donation. Cremation of the dead is performed on the day of the death of a person.
A practicing Muslim may perform prayer five times a day. Hands, feet and face are washed before each prayer. Muslims observe fast during the holy month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk and maintain celibacy and abstain from evil actions. Consumption of alcohol may be a taboo for some Muslims. An attempt to visit Mecca for pilgrimage called Hajj at least once during the lifetime is made. Handshakes and contact between opposite gender are not considered modest. Female patients usually consult lady doctors. Some Muslim women may wear a burqa in order to cover themselves completely. Pork and some molluscs are not consumed. Food should be Halal. May eat with right hand only. Muslim patients may sometimes opt out of pain management medication. Burial of amputated limbs may be practiced. At birth the father of the new born may wish to whisper a religious proclamation in the child’s ear. Abortions are allowed only in case of rape, incest or threat to the mother’s life. Circumcision is practiced and may be carried out with the help of a doctor. A request may be made to position the head in the direction of Mecca in case a dying patient. Organ donation may be allowed. Burial is usually performed on the day of the death (Humedian, 2003) (diversity_points.html).
The Jews might pray for three times a day. Kosher-certified food may be required. Meat and milk cannot be mixed. Consumption of pork and molluscs is forbidden. Patients and their families may have to be asked if they need privacy for certain practices. Amputated limbs may be taken for burial. Blood transfusions and use of blood products is permitted. The religious priests or Rabbi may have to be consulted for tube-feeding or ventilator support. Orthodox Jews may seek advice of a Rabbi for birth control practice. Rituals are carried out at the Synagogue or in temples. Jews may believe in life after death. Patients who are suffering are asked to communicate with community. Praying for the sick is considered to be a religious act. Autopsy and donation of organs is permitted. The dead are buried, cremation is discouraged. Funeral home service is practiced. Circumcision is practiced on the 8th day after birth of the male child. Touch between the two genders is to be avoided. (Cultural%20Sensitivity%20handbook%20from%20HealthCare%20Chaplaincy%20%20(3-12%202013).pdf)
Prior knowledge about religious beliefs and practices among patients from different faiths can help health professionals, patients and their families immensely. Familiarity with their customs and beliefs helps to customise treatment and care. Information and sensitivity for food preferences of Hindu and Buddhist patients who follow vegetarianism make it easier for health care professionals to prescribe diets. Provision of privacy for Muslim and Jew patients when offering prayers will make them comfortable. It may be necessary to reschedule medication when patients must fast according to Hindu or Muslim beliefs in order to avoid hypoglycaemia. People who follow Islam or Judaism may require surgical help with circumcision (Dale Dannefer, 2010). Chanting and reading of holy scriptures may require privacy and respect in case of Hindu or Buddhist patients. Patients and their kin may feel more comfortable if small religious customs can be followed by them during times of critical illness, a birth in the family or the passing away of a person. Spiritual beliefs play an important role in the process of healing. It is also important for the care staff to know about the important festivals and holidays important for people from different religious backgrounds. This makes the tasks of scheduling diagnostic procedures and surgeries more acceptable to patients.
References:
/nichiren_1.shtml. (2005, July 13). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk: https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions
/v1_c1_paper_on_hinduism.htm. (1893, September). Retrieved from https://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info: https://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/addresses_at_the_parliament/v1_c1_paper_on_hinduism.htm
913.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ajcarchives.org: https://www.ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/913.pdf
Cultural%20Sensitivity%20handbook%20from%20HealthCare%20Chaplaincy%20%20(3-12%202013).pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org: https://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org/userimages/Cultural%20Sensitivity%20handbook%20from%20HealthCare%20Chaplaincy%20%20(3-12%202013).pdf
Dale Dannefer, C. P. (2010). The SAGE Handbook of Gerontology. SAGE.
diversity_points.html. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.uphs.upenn.edu: https://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pastoral/resed/diversity_points.html
Hawley, M. (n.d.). radhakri/. Retrieved from https://www.iep.utm.edu: https://www.iep.utm.edu/radhakri/
Humedian, S. R. (2003). Islam 101: Understanding the Religion and Therapy Implications. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 35, No. 6, 635– 642. Retrieved from https://isites.harvard.edu: https://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic551849.files/Ali%20Liu%20and%20Humedian.pdf
Jangubhai, G. B. (2013). The Comparative study between Hinduism and Buddhism. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2(5):27-31.
Ludwig, D. J. (n.d.). nid940-21946-caring-across-cultures-web.pdf. Retrieved from https://www.roswellpark.org: https://www.roswellpark.org/sites/default/files/node-files/page/nid940-21946-caring-across-cultures-web.pdf
Rich, T. R. (n.d.). beliefs.htm. Retrieved from https://www.jewfaq.org: https://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm
Taheri, N. (2008, May 1). /health-care-in-islamic-history-and-experience. Retrieved from https://ethnomed.org: https://ethnomed.org/cross-cultural-health/religion/health-care-in-islamic-history-and-experience
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