Religious Pluralism In The United States

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Even though many Americans consider United States as a Christian society, emergence of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and other non-Western religions into the country has made America, a religiously diverse nation. In the healthcare field, we come across and deal with patients of different cultural and religious background. Healing process is greatly influenced by religious beliefs and practices. To provide efficient and effective care in a holistic way, healthcare providers must understand and respect their clients’ religion and their beliefs and practices. To achieve religious pluralism, we need to adapt to the new diversity. Addressing spirituality is of prime importance in the assessment and implementation of plan of care. Unfamiliarity with…show more content…
They believe religious and secular life is inseparable and also physical, emotional and spiritual health. All of the three components are crucial to make a person completely healthy. Physical injuries cause pain, and the person is emotionally affected and their minds are distracted. Islam teaches their followers to look after their body as it is a gift from God. They are taught to give prime priority to spiritual health and physical and emotional health is secondary. They believe in life after death and trials and obstacles in our life are a way to secure Paradise. Injuries and illness are happening with the permission of God and Muslims are learned to accept and acknowledge it. Patience and gratitude are tested by God, and he provides us with ways to overcome the obstacles. God is merciful and whatever trials we come across in life are designed by God to ensure a place of everlasting pleasure. Diseases are trials and tests that must be accepted and faced with patience (George et al,…show more content…
Singh, a 58 year old female was admitted as a patient to an oncology unit. She has stage two right breast cancer. Her mastectomy performed one year ago. Once, she was admitted for over a week when she was experiencing high fever post antibiotic treatment. Mrs. Singh was a Sikh and she always wore a steel bangle (karra) to exhibit her faith. She used to play religious songs (bhajans) at all times and follow along by counting beads. Since I wasn’t familiar with her faith, I got the chance of learning more about Sikhism. Mrs. Singh’s spiritual perspective on healing is that all sickness and disease is caused and cured by the will of God. Mrs. Singh believes that one must do their part (eat healthy, practice safe behaviors, and pray) to be on the road to a speedy recovery and God will take care of the rest. According to Mrs. Singh, the critical components of healing are praying to the God of Health, Wahguru, as well as reading and following the words of Guru Granth Sahib in the Holy Book. Another component of healing is listening to religious songs. Mrs. Singh’s spouse and children read Guru Granth Sahib’s words to her every day and chanted the words of hymns together as a family. Mrs. Singh liked spending time with her family, and the frequent visits by immediate and distant family members helped her to not focus on her illness. Mrs. Singh was provided care by health care professionals of eclectic religions. Mrs. Singh said that the health care professionals were very
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