peer review
Running head: VARIETY OF FAITHS 1
Variety of Faiths
Elise Sullivan
Grand Canyon University: HLT-310V
July 2, 2017
Abstract
Across the universe there are people practicing different worldviews everyday. Christianity and Buddhism are two particular worldviews discussed as their similarities and differences are dissected and gone into depth. In addition to their similarities and differences, we look at the components of the two worldviews and how they connect with their spirituality when in a healthcare setting. The components that make up a worldview are what distinguish one from another and give them their differences. While practitioners and providers need to give a certain level of care, religious sensitivity is also something that needs to be taken account.
The variety of faiths that consume our universe is immense, as well as the variety of faiths that are seen in medical and healthcare offices throughout the world. Each patient may come from different faiths, or may practice their faith differently, the variety surrounds healthcare. Specifically looking at Christianity and Buddhism, similarities and differences are displayed when diving into the two worldviews. There are several components that the Christianity and Buddhism worldview reckon on; these belief systems are what hold the importance and foundation of the worldview. As each foundation is built accustom to an individual worldview, there are differences in spirituality, which form the walls on top the foundation. Each of these worldviews has different protocols when it comes to individual healthcare and the care they specifically seek and providers are to respect and accommodate these protocols while giving the best care possible.
The Christian worldview is viewed as a large tree with many branches, which simulate the religions that stem from Christianity. According to Diffey (2014), the character and nature of God is the center of the Christian worldview. In comparison, when Buddhism came through the Indian soil they had more pantheistic views which means that God is everything and everyone (Sounders, 1921). As God is viewed as the center of the Christian worldview, he is also the creator of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Buddhism on the other hand does not believe in a creator God and believes that everything depends on everything else: present events are caused by past events and become the cause of future events (The Buddhist Universe, 2009). In the story of Genesis I, it explains that God not only created the heavens and the earth (1:1), but he also created mankind in his own image, He created male and female as what he saw his people should be like (1:27). Since Buddhism does not believe in a God as a creator, man is not made in his image. Christianity follows the belief that after death there is life in heaven. In comparison, the Buddhist worldview believes in reincarnation, where they have a goal of nirvana, which is a complete cessation of existence (The Buddhist Universe, 2009). The Christian faith believes they are made in the image of God whom is all knowing which is why Christians believe to know things. In addition, Christianity sees right and wrong because God himself is a good character. Compared to Christianity, Buddhism does not believe in a creator God to look upon for knowing all and right and wrong. Finally, the human history to Christianity is to realize the purpose of God. The Buddhist worldview has realms in which the soul can be reborn, the realm of humanity states: “although humans suffer, this is considered the most fortunate state because humans have the greatest chance of enlightenment” (The Buddhist Universe, 2009).
As Jesus founded the church, he appointed Peter as its first leader (Davies-Stofka, n.d.). However, some traditions do not believe that Peter had any higher ranking than the other apostles. The Christian worldview gathers at the church on Sunday mornings for worship. In addition, Christians seek God throughout their daily lives through prayer and the study of scripture. A common prayer, The Lords Prayer, contains many of the fundamentally assumptions of Christianity and is the most influential (Davies- Stofka, n.d.).
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth has it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13).
Sinning is thought to be a part of human nature but because God hates sinning we will be punished. While the Christian faith does not believe life ends at physical death, those who sin will have consequences to follow. (Davies- Stofka, n.d.), explains that salvation is the foremost concern for Christians, “since it is impossible to save themselves, humans need God's saving work on their behalf. That divine action, salvation, comes through Jesus Christ”. In comparison, Buddhism developed its teachings from the Buddha whom is referred to as the “awakened one” (Kitagawa et al., 1998). Buddhism, unlike Christianity does not use a book like the Bible to share the teachings, passages, or scriptures. Buddhism was constituted by the presence of a charismatic teacher, and by the community of people that was made up of members and supporters. This pattern is reflected in the Triratna, known as the “Three Jewels” of Buddha (the Teacher), dharma (the Teaching), and sangha (the community) (Kitagawa et al., 1998). The Buddhist ultimate goal is to escape from suffering. The cycle of samsara, which is rebirth, is regarded as a domain of suffering, and the Buddhist’s goal is to escape that suffering. A person can live a million lifetimes until perfecting themselves, gaining power to discover the path out of samsara and then revealing that path to the world (Kitagawa et al., 1998).
Working in healthcare, providers are exposed to many religions with different beliefs on their treatment. Christianity specifically believes that Jesus is the Great Physician; He did not teach that His people should accept suffering stoically (Tangelder, 2007). The Bible teaches Christians the importance of the body and soul and how the two shall not be separated. The Christian faith also believes that their bodies belong to the Lord. While some people donate their bodies for scientific research or for organ transplants after passing, the Christian faith believe this to be disrespectful and to have a dehumanizing effect on the body (Tangelder, 2007). Like Christianity, most Buddhists also decline any organ donation occurring after death due to the belief that the mind may dwell with the body for some time after cardio respiratory death; whereby the body should not be moved for 72 hours (Harvey, 2006). In addition, Buddhist may even decline receiving any transplants. When it comes to medicine the Buddhist worldview typically do not have any issues taking medications, but like to be aware of any side effects. However according to their fifth basic belief that states “to refrain from taking intoxicating drink or drugs which cloud the mind”, Buddhist are wary when is comes to drugs that alter their emotional state or clarity of the mind (Harvey, 2006). As for Buddhist when the times comes close to death for the patient, some prefer to be in the comfort in their on home. If dying in their own home is not preferred, Buddhist may ask for some specific things like being in close proximity to a candle or incent stick to make themselves more comfortable during this rough time (Harvey, 2006).
In conclusion, the Christian worldview and the Buddhism worldview have some similarities, yet a great deal of differences. When looking at the seven worldview questions the distinct differences and similarities were highlighted such as their differences in beliefs in God, how the world was created, and life after death. While the Christian worldview seven-worldview questions were mainly centered on God, the Buddhism worldview mainly centered the seven-worldview questions on nirvana, body and soul. The Christian and Buddhism worldviews continue to show their similarities and differences as each of their system components are shown. The similarities between the two worldviews are how they both look to someone as their leader. While the Christian faith looks to God, the Buddhism worldview looks to Buddha as their religious founder and leader. Another similarity between the two is their teaching on spiritual growth. Thought they may not practice the same, but they do aim to be better versions of themselves from days or weeks before. In addition to their similarities in their worldview components, the two also share medical similarities. Both worldviews do not hesitate to seek care when needed; yet where they differentiate from one another is accepting medication. The Buddhist worldview is more modest when it comes to medication that can alter the natural state of mind. On the other side, the two share a similarity as far as their bodies after death. Both worldviews are opposed to donating their bodies after death for organs or research, as it is not something they believe in. In all, the Christian worldview and the Buddhism worldview have the similarities and differences, which make them the strong worldviews people seek that they are today.
References
Davies- Stofka, Beth. (n.d.) Religion Library: Christianity. Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/Christianity
Diffey, D. (2014). Wisdom in the Beginning. In A. DiVincenzo (Ed), The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life. Available from http://lc.gcumedia.comcwv101/the-beginning-of-wisdom-an-introduction-to-christian-thought-and-life/v1.1/
Harvey, C. (2006). A Buddhist Perspective on Healthcare and Spirituality. Retrieved from http://vnfw.org/sites/default/files/diversity/Faith/buddhist_perspective_on_health.pdf
Kitagawa, J. M., Lopez, D. S., Tucci G., Snellgrove D. L., Nakamura H., Reynolds F. E. (1998). Buddhism. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism#toc83184main
Saunders, K. (1921). Some Significant Aspects of the Theology of Buddhism. The Journal of Religion, 1(4), 355-361. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1195155
Tangelder, J. D., (2007). A Christian Perspective on Healthcare. Retrieved from http://www.reformedreflections.ca/faith-and-life/chr-perspective-healthcare.html
The Buddhist Universe. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/universe_1.shtml