Harmony between Religion and Science - Essay Example

Spirituality/Nursing al Affiliation Spirituality/Nursing Healthcare provision can be adequately defined as the provision ofaccessible, integrated health care services, in clinical settings; by clinicians who are deemed accountable, for their continuous address of a variety of personal health care needs. Through this, is further development of sustainable patient-clinician relations, by way of practicing in contexts of both communal identity and family. The above is important in understanding the wholesome nature of proper health care provision, given the existence of several dimensions therein. Thus, is the need to focus on the improvement and measurement of health care outcomes and overall effectiveness; then the presence of patient participation and satisfaction, within decision making processes and, a scientific foundation/ basis for primary health care provision. In addition, is the importance of considering the roles and needs of patient family relations; in relation to enhancing clearer relations between the primary health care providers, requisite public health care wants/needs and the society at large. Despite increased global interaction and socialization, different populations have continuously held onto their systems of beliefs, traditions, cultures and religion. Thus, healthcare provision is fundamentally influenced and impacted upon by these facets of the global social strata. In this respect, has been the need to not only accept and understand these influences, but to further incorporate them in the various procedural measures undertaken within clinical settings. Indeed, the practice of health care providers, at all levels, brings the medical fraternity, into contact individuals professing to different faiths. Hence, is the need for acceptance of this diversity, within terms of enhanced human health care provision and treatment. In this regard, the paper will focus on three religious beliefs, and how they incorporate spiritual wholesomeness, as a requisite factor in human wellness. These religions will be: - the Baha’i Faith, Buddhism and Native American spirituality. ANSI (1996) provides that throughout history, various pundits have been of the opinion that the human body, is comprised wholesomely of not only the body and mind, but importantly so, the human spirit. Continuous medical procedures, R&D initiatives and generalized health care provision, have with time, incorporated the spiritual aspect of healing; with focus being placed on the need for mental/ spiritual wellness, as a prerequisite for positive results and human vibrancy. Different faiths, by way of their philosophical understanding, do provide avenues through which human sustenance and wholesome wellbeing, may be achieved; as a means on its own, or through incorporation into modern scientific initiatives. From the above, it is critical to understand the spiritual perspective of healing; where each faith provides critical components requisite in wholesome healing. In addition, is the aspect of a shared commonality, in regard to spiritual avenues of enhanced human wellbeing; between various faiths present in the contemporary society. Pertinent in this regard are aspects such as prayer, enhanced human belief, meditation, bodily cleansing measures and rites/ rituals; all of which enhanced quick recovery. This is attributable to the interrelation between spiritual/ mental balance and physical wellbeing (ANSI, 1996). Hence, is the need for healthcare providers, despite their diverse spiritual beliefs, to not only respect, but also understand and ultimately incorporate their patients’ spirituality; within medical settings. Accordingly as Hatcher (2005) avers, the Baha’i Faith is encompassed around a fundamental principle this being continuous harmony between religion (spiritual oneness) and science the latter in this case, regarding medical healthcare provision. The faith opinionates that true religion and science, never conflict; but rather work harmoniously towards maintaining ‘wholesome’ human wellbeing. Acknowledging the vital importance of science to social progress, the faith provides principles and guidelines, regarding health care provision. Thus, when ill, a Baha’i faith adherent should always seek the best medical advice; following the doctors’ instructions as a way of enhancing vitality. Nutrition-wise, certain foods are encouraged as essential in increasing humanity’s wellness, and thus should be incorporated in lifestyle routines. This, plus advice from the best possible highly skilled practitioners, out to be the basis for healing and healthy lifestyle. In living a healthy lifestyle, being at constant peace with ‘God’, society and self, an individual is able to abstain from worldly ‘corruptions’, which ultimately affect human vitality. This provides a case where – religion/ spirituality and science – collectively work together, towards enhancing human sustenance, vitality and health (Hatcher, 2005). Buddhism, as a religion, also acknowledges the need for scientific contributions, to humanity’s wellness. However, it also provides that current ailments, diseases and chronic infections continue to blight human society, as a result of western medicine concentrating more on the physiological aspect of human imbalance. In this regard, modern medicine continues being unprepared for the bevy of ailments present; which base not their origin to human physiological imbalance, but rather on spiritual, emotional and/ or mental factors. This understanding is best portrayed in the WTO’s Charter preamble that states: - health is a state of complete social, mental and physical well-being, and not simply the absence of infirmity or disease. Accordingly, Buddhists’ understand good health as being – the balanced interaction between the body and mind – in addition to all life and the present environment (Mother Nature). thus, human illness tends to arise as a result of an upset to the aforementioned delicate equilibrium; hence both Buddhist practice and theory aim, at restoring and further strengthening this balance. From this, Buddhism does accept modern medicine and medical practice, in the treatment of human ailments. It further re-states that the above is most effective when based upon, and subsequently reinforced through spiritual understanding of the subjective, inner life processes (ANSI, 1996). Native American spirituality is also based on the balance between life and the surrounding environment. Accordingly, as Atwood (1991) portrays, it is inclusive of practices and beliefs, held by the different indigenous tribes of the North American continent. Accordingly, it does combine religion and spirituality, with the importance of rituals and herbal medicine; in regard to the treatment and subsequent wellbeing of individuals. From this perspective, medicine and medical practice pertains to more than disease curative measures, further paying closer attention to wholesome healing. In the belief that human wellbeing is interrelated to the spirit of nature, health care provision hence ought to be aligned to the belief that all creation is interconnected; through the presence of essence or the spirit world. Thus adherents of the faith, believe in human illness being stemming from the presence of spiritual problems; being more likely to invade the bodies of individuals who: -prove to be imbalanced, who live unhealthy lifestyles and continuously portray negative thinking. Further still, is the interrelated nature of parents’ lifestyles, to future generational health problems, hence the need for ritual and ceremonial undertakings for wholesome curative processes. In the overall sense, this faith portrays the need for both the finding and subsequent restoration of individual wholeness and balance; in regard to restoring individuals to their optimal spiritually pure and health state (Atwood, 1991). All the three faiths, do portray an understanding of the need for spiritual wellbeing, to the overall wholesomeness of an individual within prevailing environments. Accordingly, all portray a linkage between spirituality and healing, necessitating continuous maintenance of spiritual balance. Christianity as a religion, also acknowledges the presence of a spiritual link, to the physical wellbeing of individuals; through proper bodily care and respect/ optimal utility of the environment. in acknowledging the importance of such beliefs and perspectives, healthcare providers are able to operate better; by way of incorporating the practices and beliefs of various patient numbers. In conclusion, the presence of critical components of healing i.e. meditation, prayer, rituals and ceremonial undertakings, further portrays the importance of the spiritual angle of human sustenance. The importance of proper patient care is vital to individuals of various faiths, based on the need for acceptance, understanding, respect and incorporation of their beliefs; in various undertakings within clinical settings. Through provision of a balance between the spiritual oneness and physiological wholesomeness of an individual, the critical balance is achieved, thus taking care of the various ailments affecting modern society. Medical practitioners are hence called upon, to understand and subsequently incorporate various faith measures; in respect to human healthcare provision and healing processes. References ANSI. (1996). Healing the Ills of the Body and Spirit. American National Standard Institute [Buddhism and Human Health], retrieved from: http://www.purifymind.com/BuddhismHealth.htm Atwood, M.D. (1991). Spirit Healing: Native American Magic & Medicine. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co. Hatcher, J.S. (2005). Close Connections: The Bridge Between Spiritual and Physical Reality. Wilmette, Illinois: Baha’i Publishing Trust. Read More