Faith Diversity: Healing Prospects

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Introduction

The link between religion and healing is puzzling because, within a religion, there are subset cultures and individual opinions that may not concur with one’s main religion. A disease is a life-threatening event that creates a feeling of hopelessness and desperation for the infected and affected parties. Each individual has a set of beliefs or doctrines dictated by religion, culture, or experience to follow when faced with such a calamity, and will act based on these beliefs and doctrines. This paper aims to discuss the healing perspectives of three religions: Jainism, Islam and Hinduism, in comparison to Christianity.

Spiritual Perspective on healing

Jainism originates from India. This religion believes that good health begins with a peaceful mind that is free of evil thoughts. The believers of Jainism hold that the universe neither has a beginning nor an end. It operates on the existing entities that undergo countless changes. The people who follow Jainism do not believe in the existence of God as the creator, protector and destroyer of the universe (Mardia & Ranki, 2013). Instead, they believe in idol gods called Tirthankas (an example is shown in the picture). Jainism is borne out of human nature, and it dwells on the strength of one’s ability to control self. This concept derives its meaning from the word Jina or Jin, which in Arda-Magadhi (India’s ancient language) is used to refer to a person that has conquered themselves.

Apparently, there is a contradiction in Islam between official Islam and popular belief in Islamic societies. Official Islam is where Muslims believe in Prophet Muhammad’s recommendations as contained in the hadith and the Quran, and as taught by the ulama and imams. Popular belief is as old as Islam and is based on the existence of the “Evil Eye”. In a nutshell, nonetheless, Allah (God) is the healer, and the Islamic healers/doctors are merely his subjects.

These recommendations are either self-driven or driven by an individual termed as an Islamic healer/doctor. According to Islamic teaching, illnesses are distinguished by their cause; they can be attributed to natural or supernatural factors. Muslims believe in the effect of the evil eye, jinns or magic, and it is this effect that results in illnesses with a supernatural cause. Depending on the nature of the disease, an Islamic healer or doctor can be sought; the doctor deals with natural causes of disease while an Islamic healer addresses the supernatural causes (Hoffer, 2000).

In Hinduism, illness, injury or sickness is ascribed to karma. According to karma in Hinduism, one’s actions determine his or her fate (“reaping what one sows”) (Sharama, 2002, p. 2). Therefore, one’s thoughts, words and actions in the past influence his or her current health status. Hinduism upholds respect for human life; hence, such events as abortion or suicide are an abomination. Medical treatment is sought. However, gender inclination seems to influence the health care package because Hindu women will prefer female physicians and nurses to take care of them, and will only seek the assistance of their husbands for advice (Sharama, 2002).

Components of healing e.g meditation, prayer

Since the focus is on self, the practices used for healing are those that help the self to conquer physical illness. As a result, yoga, rational thought, experience, and meditation are practiced as ways of maintaining good health and preventing illness through a careful review of one’s actions. Jainism centers on non-violence and respect for human life. These doctrines and practices help individuals obtain a life free of tension and stress. The Jains are guided by doctrines that promote healthy behavior concerning lifestyle, and this helps to keep them safe from physical injury and illness. Jain worships idols and with the guidance of monks and nuns, they chant mantras, rosaries, and yantras in a bid to keep evil away.

Prophetic medicine in Islam prohibits the consumption of certain foods and feeding habits. On the other hand, there is an emphasis on other products such as honey and black seed as therapeutic approaches for gastrointestinal and dermatological ailments (Boston University, 2012). Arabic/Unani medicine based on the concept of body equilibrium is used. This concept focuses on wet/dry, hot/cold humor within the body because the balance of these humor is linked to good health. Food and herbs are used to attain this equilibrium, as the traditional doctors (Hakims) practice homeopathy, chiropractic, and herbal medicine.

Hinduism upholds karma; thus, each individual is keen about his or her actions. As a result, most Hindus are vegetarians. According to Sharma (2002), Indians believe in multiple rebirths that can be transcended through yoga. Yoga helps the seeker to join with reality to free oneself from the future and attain peace. Medical treatment that is committed to saving a life is upheld, but the ailment takes its natural course.

What is important to people of a particular faith when cared for by health providers of another faith

Respect for another person’s faith is important. This is manifested in situations where a health care worker asks a patient if he or she is comfortable with a particular service or product instead of just imposing it on him or her, yet it may not be commensurate with her doctrines and faith. In addition, a health care provider should not patronize the patient(s) based on their religion because it may feel a loss of belonging. The Jains uphold virtues that promote the well-being of self and the general Jainian community. Therefore, any health provider from another faith prompted to take care of a Jainian should uphold their virtues of non-violence, truth, respect for life, and ecological responsibility (Mardia & Rankin, 2013).

How do patients view health care providers who sideline their faith and accommodate the patient’s beliefs?

Healthcare workers encounter this inner conflict almost every day, taking care of another person while respecting his or her religious affiliation. The patients appreciate this gesture, and they can communicate more freely with their health care workers. This move aims to make the patient comfortable because further agitation may jeopardize the entire healthcare process.

Comparison of Jain, Islam, and Hinduism with Christianity and your own beliefs

Unlike Jainism, Christians believe there is a God who heals. Christians believe in comprehensive practices for prevention, cure, and rehabilitation of illnesses as opposed to Jainism which beliefs in the power of the inner self to maintain a healthy life.

Like Muslims, Christians believe in the healing ability of God for whatever ailment. However, unlike Muslims, Christians do not have special healers to fight off the “Evil eye”. The Christians believe in supernatural forces like curses, which can be reversed through prayers and forgiveness from God. Doctors are the main vessels sought to cure diseases, and in cases where the cause and disease cannot be explained by scientific theory, deliverance through prayer and fasting is sought.

Christians are liberal, and they have free will, to some extent. For instance, while Hinduism does not promote assisted suicide or mercy killing like when a person is terminally ill, Christians may push for this to alleviate human agony. However, just like Christians who may push for assisted suicide when a person is on a life support machine, or whose life is being artificially prolonged, an individual is left to make an independent decision in Hinduism. While Hinduism and Jainism are both from India, they differ in their understanding of karma. While Hinduism views karma as a theory that guides behavior while Jainism views karma as an object that obscures the journey towards self-development (Mardia & Rankin, 2013).

I believe God is a great physician. You have to pray and put your faith in him. I believe He determines when it is a person’s time to leave this earth and that no one should take their own life or assist with helping take someone’s life. Meanwhile, all resources are used to reverse the course of a disease, and if an individual succumbs to the illness, this is the will of God. I share the same views with Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity as far as the power of God is concerned.

In conclusion, a healthcare provider must understand and appreciate the different healing perspectives from different religions. Learning about these varying practices is important in the healthcare industry because it can be used to diversify the healthcare team. Therefore, in the case of an Islamic patient, an Islamic physician and Islamic nurse could be used to spearhead the delivery of the health care process to that particular patient. In addition, healthcare workers can plan for the meals of the patients following their cultures and clarify issues to make the client have a comfortable stay.

References

Boston University. (2012). Traditional Healing Beliefs & Practices. Web.

Hoffer, C. (2000). Religious Healing Methods among Muslims in the Netherlands. ISIM Newsletter, 6(1), 8. Web.

Mardia, K., & Rankin, A. (2013). Living Jainism: An Ethical Science. Alresford: Mantra Books.

Sharama, A. (2002). The Hindu Tradition: Religious Beliefs and Healthcare Decisions. Illinois: The Park Ridge Center.

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