Running head: FAITH DIVERSITY

Faith Diversity
Nina Ramos
Grand Canyon University

Faith Diversity
Religion is a major component in the health care setting. There are many religious
beliefs among different ethnic backgrounds, all of which need to be respected while patients are
in the hospital. This paper will discuss the differences between the Sikh and Christian religions
and what practices in health care are important to people of these different belief systems. In
addition the worldview question will be addressed from Called to Care and beliefs in prayer ,
healing and when being cared for by a patient will be addressed as well for patients belonging to
of different religious beliefs. Any implications for health care will be looked at as well.

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Culturally sensitive nursing is imperative in todays healthcare setting with all the diversity here
in the USA.
TheworldviewquestionsfromCalledtoCareaddresssomeoftheaspectsofthe
Christianfaith.WhatisprimerealityPrimerReality?TheChristianfaithencompassesGodas
theultimatecreatorandhHeisknownastheLordoftheuniverse,hHeistheOneChristians
worship.Whatisahumanbeing?Christiansdefineviewahumanbeingsassomeonewhois
pronetosins,isredeemed,andaccountable.Inadditionhumanbeingsarecreatedbytheimage
ofGodandlovedbyhim.Whatisthenatureoftheworldaroundus?Theworldaround
Christiansiscomposedofthingsseenandunseen,itsallseparatedfromGodbutisunderhis
control.Naturewascreatedgood,butispoisonedbysinatsomepoint(Shelley&Miller,2006).
Whathappenstoapersonatdeath?Christianfaithbelievesinlifeafterdeath.heavenistheterm
todescribethis.Itsalsobelievedthatwhatisdonenowisnotunseeninonesnextlife.Whyisit
possibletoknowanythingatall?The universe is here, not by accident, but by purpose
(Collins, 2006). Humans may not fully comprehend the outline of intergalactic life or the
complexity of mankind nature. How do we know what is right and wrong? Right is that
in everything every situation one pursues to do unto others is what one would want
others do to himus, and Christians can work with all who seek to live out this need.
Christian worldview teaches what is right or wrong is not ultimately a matter of
individual decision but even as people alone and mutually must separate right courses
of actions in circumstances that are always new and always changing. What is the
meaning of human history? Christian worldview and what it perceives to be the nature

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of reality, that which supports it, and has hope for the future. Basic beliefs and morals
can assist as guides for religious instructors to give direction to followers (Valk, 2012).

In comparison, the worldview questions from Called to Care from the Sikhism
belief system. What is pPrime rReality? In Sikhism there is only one God and
everyones follows this God. . What is a human being? One that leads an exemplary
existence so that one may merge with God. A Sikhs remembers God at all times and
practices living a moral and truthful life while keeping balance between his their
spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.What happens to a person after death,
according to Sikh Belifs? According to Sikh beliefs, pPeople are reincarnated after
death., They believe that the soul never dies. All living beings are recreated many times
until they are what God intended for them to be. Why is it possible to know anything at
all? Teachings are passed through the 10 Gurus in the Sikh Holy Book. How do we
know what is right and wrong? There are 5 traits, which are seen as the source of all the
goodness, namely;: Truth, Compassion, Contentment, Humble, and Love. Then the bad
are the 5 vices people must over come to be closer to God: Lust, Anger, Greed,
Emotional Attachment and Ego. What is the meaning of human history? Sikhisms
view regarding the human history is that pPeople are reincarnated time and time again
until they prove worthy of their loyalty of God. What is the nature of the world around
us? Sikhism teaches that Kartar shaped the universe in one command and cares for it.

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His grasp set the world into existence, and Hhis orders rule it ("Sikhism," 2015). Some
of tThe Sikh worldviews are similar to those of the Christians, but also have there are
some very differences in beliefs as wellt beliefs.

There are some critical components of religious beliefs, which should be looked
at in detail the details of which should be kept in view. These components can also
cause dilemmas in the health care setting, if workers are unfamiliar with specific
beliefs. The Christians believe in God and pray to him for insight and help when ill. A
passage from Mathew; Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and
sickness("Bible ," 2015, p. Mathew 9:35). This passage shows that God sent Hhis son to
heal everyone who is sick. Christians like to see a personal approach to health care;
which does include touch, holding ones hand when they are afraid or just need
someone close for them. Faith and prayer are also important practices while in the
hospital and in daily life (Shelley & Miller, 2006). Having a hospital chaplain come
around to chat and pray with patients is a powerful practice to keep the Christians
spirituality up while in the hospital. The nurse taking a holistic approach to ones care
also can provide faith for the patients as well.

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In the Sikh religion Sikhism, there are many beliefs that are used on a daily basis
in regards to prayer and meditation. Its important that patients are allowed time for
this while in the hospital. Kartar means the creator and this to many is by the use of
this word they mean God., Iin Sikhism there is no one name isnt one specific name for
God. Sikhs like to pray first thing in the morningbefore their workday begins , this
allows Sikhs to proclaim truth through the day. Again in the evening before bed, Sikhs
have another prayer session. In making sure that prayer is conducted twice daily there
is not one holy day, like in the Christian belief, which is Sunday. Sikhs celebrate the
lunar days, which include the night of no-moon and the full moon., in In addition to
birthdays of the Gurus and birthdays to of their loved ones. When a baby is born the
Sikhs choose a name with the first letter of the first full hymn in which the holy book is
opened. This would be very important for people in labor and delivery to know as this
would need to be decided prior to filling out paper work for a birth certificate. A childs
first visit to Gurdwara, and is the first occasion to pay reverence to the holy scripture,
and thus it is celebrated. Prayers and verses from the Granth are whispered in the
child's ear., the The word Gurdwara means house of the Guru. The Granth is the
religious text that the Sikhs religious beliefs and hymns are kept similar to the bible in
Christian faith. At death, Sikhs prefer cremation, prayer, and the simple pouring of
remains into water, which flows. The Sikhs believe once the spirit has left the body,

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remains are returned to nature. A person's actions in life, and divine grace, determine
what will happen to the soul, determining what their next will entail.Sikh males
including children wear the turban. Hair is the most important element to the turban.
Men must have their hair covered at all times. Men and woman both are not to show
their hair, this being a symbol of spirituality. The unshorn unshaved hair is a state of
connection to Kartars creation of humans (Gill, 2008-2015). There are many spiritual
aspects of the Sikhs that should and must be met while in the hospital setting to keep
their spirit and fight alive.

When caring for patient of different spiritual backgrounds in the hospital there
are many factors to consider. If a nurse caring for a patient whos belief is in Sikhism is
Sikh by religion, it is important for the nurse her to understand that the patient will
need time for prayer twice a day. The morning prayer should happen be conducted
before any other tasks are asked of them as thats what they do in their normal daily
lives. The patient may feel uncomfortable in this situation if the nurse is unfamiliar
with the Sikh beliefs. Its also important for the nurse to know that the turban is a major
part of the Sikhs beliefs and respect to their Gods. The turban should be worn
whenever as long as possible., it may be difficult for the patient if the turban must be is
removed for particular tests or even surgery. The patient may also want their holy book
to be present close by to them so that when they want to pray they can reference to their

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hymns. The nurse must be sensitive to the patient wanting and needing all of this to

fulfill their spiritual obligation.

On the other hand when caring for a Christian patient he or she may want
someone to pray with or someone to hold their hand. The hospital chaplain would be
an appropriate great resource to come see the patient in case there is anything they
would like to discuss from about their faith and or possible sickness. A Christian
patient may have a bible close by so they can read certain scriptures. Family is also a
key component and they may like to have visitors. The nurse who is may be of different
faith should understand the importance of spirituality and take a holistic approach
when caring for patients no matter what their belief is.

In conclusion, there are many belief systems in America today and the
healthcare team needs to be educated so that culturally sensitive care can be used across
the spectrum. The Sikh and Christian faiths have some similarities as they believe that
God, or the Gods are the most sacred person and they are the creator of everything. In
addition, both believe that we must not give into temptation and we must follow the
divine path to get to heaven. Although Christians either go to heaven or hell they
remain there in the after life. The Sikhs ultimate goal is to follow Kartar and have their
soul finally die along with their spirit. The differences between the faiths are much

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larger concerning the use of the turban and making sure hair is unshorn. Also, the

Sikhs do not just have one God but many Gurus that have contributed to their beliefs. I
have a Catholic background but I can relate to the Christian faith., I try on a daily basis
to use touch on a daily basis whether its holding their hand or just rubbing giving a pat
at their back trying to make them feel better. The main goal is to ensure that health care
workers have an understanding of different belief systems so when caring for people out
of ones faith one can be sensitive to whats important to the patient who is relying on
the health care team for trust and support.

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References
Bible Gateway. (2015). Retrieved from
https://www.biblegateway.com
Gill, R. S. (2008-2015). Sikhism. Retrieved from
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Sikhism/Ritual-Worship-DevotionSymbolism/Symbolism.html
Real Sikhism .Exploring the Sikh Religion. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1218574923&ucat=7
Shelley, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2006). Called to Care A Christian Worldview for Nursing (2nd
ed.). Retrieved from: https://www.viewer.gcu.edu/SignIn/UGPTQ4
Valk, J. (2012). Christianity through a Worldview Lens. Retrieved from:
http://www.eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
sid=313e3593-944a-45ac-9b50-9627aef7e612%40sessionmgr115&vid=11&hid=121