Greetings Brethren,
Religion and/or the Creator play a
great role in healing and medicine. However, this role cannot be adequately
realized without Faith and Belief in God. We bear witness that God is in control
of all that exists because He is the Creator. Thus the miraculous is evident
and the impossible is more than just a dream.
Peace and Love,
Carl Patton a willing Servant and
Slave of Jehovah God in service to the FreedomJournal
and to God's people with an undying love for my Savior Jesus Christ this
February 26, 2002.
THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY &
HEALING
THE MIRACLE of HEALING
Part 99: The Role of Religion In
Medicine
In
the name of Jehovah God, Master of the Universe, Ruler of the earth.
There are many questions regarding
the role of Religion in medicine. Therefore, as the medical community has become more aware of the impact
of Religion in medicine and healing they have sought to answer
certain questions.
Dr. Harold G. Koenig has written
extensively about this subject. His clinical observations have been a great source of information and a
confirmation that Religion has a great impact on healing. In
the Journal of the
Dr. Koenig in this article notes that
patients have a concern regarding their overall care. Thus, they have a need
for treatment of the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions. Also, many
seriously ill patients use religion as a way to cope with the stress and
anxiety of being seriously ill.
Dr. Koenig also notes that there have
been extensive studies that have examined the relationship of religion and mental health and the
religious involvement in general health care. (See Koenig & McCullough,
Handbook of Religion and Health,
However, religious practices should
not replace or remove the need for certain allopathic therapies. Also these
studies revealed that an illness may help one to rediscover religion. But no
studies have shown that patients are benefited by good health by embracing a
religion in anticipation of an illness.
Meanwhile, exactly what do these
studies mean to clinical practice? Also, what should physicians not do? These questions are asked
and then answered by Dr. Koenig.
"Physicians should not prescribe
religious beliefs or activities for health reasons. Physicians should not impose their religious
beliefs on patients or initiate prayer without knowledge of
the patient's religious background. Except in rare instances physicians should
not provide in depth religious counseling to patients,
something that is done by a trained clergy. Dr. Koenig also
tells us what physicians should do:
"Physicians should acknowledge
and respect the spiritual lives of patients. The acknowledgment of the spiritual life of a patient often
involves taking a spiritual history. However, a spiritual history
is not appropriate for every patient."
Dr. Koenig also mentions a study
conducted by a panel of the
1. Is faith (Religious, Spirituality)
important to you in this illness?
2. Has faith been important to you at
other times in your life?
3. Do you have someone to talk to
about religious matters?
4. Would you like to explain
religious matters with someone?
(See L. B. Quill, L. Tulsky, J.,
Discussing Palliative Care With Patients, Ann Intern Med., 1999, 130, 144-749).
Meanwhile there are still people that
believe that somehow medicine and religion are opposed. However, Dr. Phillip W. Long calls our
attention to a passage from the new American Bible (Book of Sirach
(Ecclesiastes) 38:1-15.
"The author of the Book of
Sirach (Ecclesiastes) highly respected the medical profession, even at a time (2nd Century B. C.)when medicine was
in its infancy. This biblical passage clearly states that God
comes through the skill of the doctor and through medicine. Family Physicians,
Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nuns, Priests, Ministers, and Rabbis all
together form God's healing touch. Therefore, medicine and
religion are not opposed. (See Internal Mental Health, Phillip W. Long,
M. D. January 27, 1996).
Cont. Part
100: Further Rationale for The Relationship of Religion and Health
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carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net
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2001- 2009.
