Does christianity create a barrier for spiritual care in a multi-faith society?

This question is in relation to nursing which is founded on a christian background, How does this effect our care for other faiths and cultures. In hospices we use a holistic model and spiritual care is part of that, are we set up for that challenge.

surely from a viewpoint of nursing, it is a case of human love for his/her fellow man/woman.
and nothing to do with faith, christian, muslim, buddist, or whichever.
to much emphasis is placed on belief systems, and we tend to forget, who and what we are, and why we seek to help each other......

Well, maybe you should be more open-minded about your "model." You use a "holistic" model - do you exclude other models as well?

Love Jack

There is no spiritually neutral format in which to bring care. Therefore, in a Christian setting, spiritual needs are met from a Christian viewpoint and that is not a barrier. In a setting with another faith, that can also be done, but nearly all charitable care in the USA has always been from a Christian faith motivation.

This is an intensely theological question, so it's not really one that has a definitive answer. However it does depend on your opinions on the religion itself, and how you employ it. It can be used as a bridge, such as in faith-healing, or as a barrier, preventing you from being friendly to a patient if you disagree with their views.

I don't see why we are, its a successful endeavor that helps the families as well as the patients when facing terminal diseases and impending death. I am not so sure I would say nursing is based on christian backgrounds either. All cultures have always had people that cared for the sick. It may have been family but it was still "Nursing" the sick.

Nurses don't choose nursing because of their religion, if they are a particular religion they may choose to work at a church owned hospital but that is by choice. They would still put the care of their patients first in any setting. I have never seen a hospital treat anyone differently based on their religion. Perhaps this isn't the case in some countries but from what I have seen it is not the doctors or nurses but rather the patients who may have an issue. Case in point, a woman in Iraq was seriously burned by grease while cooking, I saw this on the news a few years ago. Our wonderful soldier paramedics responded and her husband wouldn't let them remove her clothing to see the burns and treat her, they had to grab another untrained female soldier to appease the husband. It didn't matter to him that his wife was screaming in pain, he would not have another man see her. He had no problem with the female soldier taking care of her.....I mean for gods sakes, does he not let her see a male doctor either?

Religions don't create barriers, people do! The most dangerous people in the world are those who know they are absolutely right. Whether Muslim, Hindi, Budhist, or Christian the barriers are created by those who take doctrine to extremes. Those who interpret doctrine with humanity can never create barriers.

I'm not really sure if this is answering your question but I'll give it a shot. You are to apply your Christianity to all things you do. This does not mean pushing your values on other people or not treating people of other faiths. Tolerance, kindness, and respect should be used. If people are ready for witnessing then the spirit will guide you.Remember, Christianity shows through actions, not speech. Did I help a little?

How can it possibly be a barrier in our secular society?

As Christians we are taught to reach out to all in pain or difficulties it should not, and does not, matter what their faith is. The only thing that matters is caring for them to the very best of our abilities.

If people don't believe in Christian principles, there are hospices that would be more suited to them. Likewise, if others do, there should be a hospice to operates on those tenets. Mixing religions/ beliefs will benefit no-one.
You could research otherbeliefs for a greater understanding, but no, christian principles should not be sacrificed in the name of diversity... at least not in a Christian institution!
That's my thinking on your question.

The works of Hildegad Peplau (1969) advocates distancing one self, using psychoanalytical techniques, from the patient on an emotional level to failitate the development of appropriate empathy with the patient. Menzies (1960) indicates that this distancing enables nurses to offer appropriate care and support to the dying patient. The works of Elizabeth Khubler-Ross further discuss the support of the dying patient and death.

I am not by patient - I work with Chaplains of other faiths to provide my patient's as far as possible a good experience as they pass through my care during their stay in our facility. When I was at the hospice I was able to talk openly with patients about their needs and desires surrounding what "making a good death" meant to them.

I am a practising Christian - but I believe that I give human and humane care. Spiritual care is indeed part of holistic care - we need to work with Chaplains of all faiths to positively promote the concept of a good death and to support people throught the process of living until death and then ultimately of dying.

If we are not set up for that challenge, then we need to explore and establish closer links with the religious leaders of other faiths. For agnostics and atheists the Humnist Association may be able to offer an appropriate person. Pagan and Spiritualists both have their own system of Pastorship who can be contacted.

Do you mean do I want to preach the Good News? I answer questions honestly. During the stint at the Hospice I was oftern asked about my beliefs because I was able to sit and talk openly with patients about their fears facing their final mortal days.

Basically good nursing care steming from the Christian tradition does work, we do not have to throw the baby out with the bath water - but we must remember we are not the patient. Sustained intimacy in nursing care is, surely, only possible, within an environment which promotes self-knowledge and self-awareness enabling nurses to care for and to care about their patients without losing the ability to "let go".

Regards :-)

It depends who is practicing the care

any one can create a barrier, we live in a free country, you choose