Health Care Diversity

Abstract This paper examines the role of wellness care providers in giving care to patients and families of variant diverse faith groups. Three particular(prenominal) faith groups, vodoun, Buddhism, and Shinto result be discussed and contrasted in relation to the philosophy of Christian perspectives. Spi rite perspectives and critical comp singlents of health will show spiritual beliefs are apparently diverse but with some similarities.INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this paper is to contrast three diverse faiths compare the philosophy to the Christian perspective. teachings chosen are Vodun, also known as fetish, Buddhism and Shinto.Addressed will be the spiritual perspective and critical components of ameliorate, along with the importance of caring for passel of different faiths. The authors perspective of faith will also be discussed. Vodun/Voodoo Vodun, often known as Voodoo, comes from the the god Vodun of West African Yoruba dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Vo odoo honors one God, Bondye, similar to the God of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. (Houdmann, M. , 2012). Practices and thoughts of voodooism vary from one person to the next as the usage has been passed down orally over the years.Healing is the key component to practicing Voodoo making up approximately 60 percent of all Voodoo activity. Voodoo heal practices are performed by healers considered priests consisting of both men and women. Healers use herbs, faith healing, and today some use western medicine to rid the body of illness as it relates to the mind and soul. early(a) healing practices used are positive and negative charms, rituals of piercing needles into Voodoo dolls representing the enemy to help relieve stress and anxiety. The use of Voodoo dolls is common and still used in New Orleans and other parts of Southern Louisiana.French Slaves arrived to Haiti and was forbidden to practice their native religion, Voodoo, and forced into being baptize Roman Catholic. As a res ult, when comparing the practice of Voodoo to Christianity particularly Roman Catholic, at that place are several similarities. Both regard in a supreme being, the afterlife, existence of unseen spirit and participate in ceremonies consuming flesh and blood (Religious Tolerance, 2010). Religious traditions followed are a common link among Voodoo and Christianity. Voodoo followers believe every individual has a met tet, meaning master of the head, similar to a Christians patron saint.Voodoo followers have been known to participate in practices such as fortunetelling and sorcery that many Christians view as a practice condemned by God. According to the expiration of Deuteronomy 189-13, Detestable Practices, summarizes God prohibits anyone from practicing divination, sorcery, witchcraft, or consults the dead (Womans Devotional Bible, 1998). Christianitys goal is to love God, obey the Ten Commandments, develop a race with God and spread the word of God in hopes of saving others. Christians also believe salvation is through having faith in savior Christ.In contrast, Voodoo followers honor God, many spirits and Saints known as Iwas. Voodoo is a combination of African traditions and Catholicism and is the celebration of life. Regarding healthcare, women practicing Voodoo will make health decisions for themselves and children. If the woman has a husband then he will make major health major health decisions for the family. Many Voodoo followers believe illness is directed related to sin and will seek care from a Voodoo Practitioner versus traditional practitioners.BuddhismBuddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha, descent name Prince Siddhartha, over 2,500 years ago in Nepal, India. Teachings known as dharma, meaning truth, are the central focus of healing. Buddhists perspective of healing is to free one of suffering which is directly related to daily experiences of life and the mind, taking a holistic approach. health and disease affects the whole person and in volves the environment. Buddhists believe disease is a disturbance in the harmony of life and the physical symptoms are a result of that disturbance.Healing is thought to not only be a treatment but the way the mind and body goes back to harmony and relationship to the environment. Karma is an important factor in the holistic approach to healing, believing there is a direct relationship between morality and health, meaning every cause has an effect (Ratanadul, P. , 2008). Good health is related to good Karma and vise versa. An sunburned lifestyle is thought to be directly related to illness and disease therefore spiritual activities and religious practices are an important part of promoting health and hale being amongBuddhists. Meditation and prayer are critical components of healing for Buddhists. It is practiced to acquire spiritual and psychological health affecting overall physical health through the power of mindfulness, concentration and wisdom (Ratanadul, P. , 2008). Durin g chanting, Buddhists visualize the blessings of Buddha with healing entering the mouth into the body to reduce suffering and ward off illness. In comparing Buddhism to Christianity, Buddhism practices the Threefold Training consisting of mortality, concentration and wisdom.Buddhists do not believe in God or in salvation, but rather achieving Nirvana by letting go of all desires, cravings and attachments (Shambhala International, 2009). Christianity practices praying, worships in church, believes in the Holy Bible and God is supreme creator of the world. Shinto The last belief to be intercommunicate is Shinto, means way of God, originated around 500 B. C. E. as the official religion of Japan, along with Buddhism (Religious Tolerance, 2010). Spirits are called kami and thought to found in wind, trees, mountains, rivers and fertility.Shintos normal is the setting of Japanese culture, code of ethics, fine arts and family structure (Sivananda, S. , 2011). Shintos believe accidents and illnesses occur as a consequence of displeased spirits. The spirits communicate distress to humans as illness or misfortune in the form of dreams, weakened immune system or by mental disturbances (Kalland, A. , n. d. ). In extreme cases the spirits can cause earthquakes, floods and deadly epidemics. Many individuals are unaware of the spirits identity and message content but specific friendship is not always needed as certain rituals have great affect on many spirits and its causes.Illness is also thought to be caused by the souls of the aborted or stillborn children as they have been deprived their right to live, mostly affecting their mothers, siblings and mothers family. As a result, Shinto temples center their focus on quieting these spirits to bring wellness and peace to those family members affected (Kalland, A. , n. d. ). Rituals are used to aid in healing of many illnesses and ailments. Purification is a common ritual used among Shintos that is performed with water by rins ing, washing, bathing or the priests wand (Shinto-Rituals, 2012).This symbolizes purifying oneself or an object before interacting with kami. Other rituals used for healing include food and drink offerings to the kami or formal reading of prayer. In comparing Shinto to Christianity, Shintos believe in many Gods. The Sun-God known as Anaterasu-omi Kami, the divine brother Susano-o-Mikoto known as God of Rainstorm and Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, Moon God making the divine triad (Sivananda, S. , 2011). Shintos do not have a developed theology or their own code of ethics but follows that of Confucianism.Shintos follow quaternary affirmations, tradition and family, love of nature, physical cleanliness and Matsuri. Whereas, Christianity believes in one God, base teachings on Jesus and uses the Holy Bible as the book of teachings. Authors Belief This authors belief is similar to Christianity being a Roman Catholic. This author believes in the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Spirit is one an d as such worships one God. This author also believes healing can come from God if one truly believes and places significance in the symbolism of the Saints.This author gained valuable and pertinent knowledge regarding different religious beliefs that will assist in providing better nursing care. Conclusion In conclusion, health care providers are confronted with patients of many different religious beliefs and practices. It is important to be culturally diverse to better understand the needs of all patients seeking medical care to provide more holistic care. Health care providers should respect every patients religious belief without discrimination while providing the best care.