how religion, culture affect spirituality

8/2/2019 How Religion, Culture Affect Spirituality

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How religion & culture affect spiritualityAdapted from:1. Weber, J., & Kelly, J., (2007). Health Assessment in Nursing, 3rd. Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.)2. Dillon, P., (2007).Nursing Health Assessment: A Critical Thinking, Case Studies Approach. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company

Religion Culture Spiritual beliefs / meaning of life or sources of strength / healthcare practices

Buddhism Malaysian Chinese:- Cantonese- Hokkien- Teochew- Hakka

Others ethnicity

Overview Illness End of life Nutrition

Suffering is a part ofhuman existence, but theinward death of self andsenses leads to a state

beyond suffering andexistence.

Prayer and meditation areused for cleansing andhealing.

Terminal illness may beseen as a uniqueopportunity to reflect onlifes ultimate meaning

and the meaning of onesrelation with the world.

Therefore, it is importantthat medication does notinterfere withconsciousness.

Life is the opportunityto cultivateunderstanding,compassion, and joy forself and others.

Death is associated withrebirth.

Serene surroundings areimportant to the dignityof dying.

Many are strictvegetarians.

Some holy daysinclude fasting fromdawn to dusk butconsiderations areallowed for frail and

elderly for whomfasting could createproblems.

Hinduism Malaysian Indian:- Tamil- Malayalees

- SindhisOthers ethnicity

Nirvana (oneness withGod) is the primary

purpose of the religion.

Many have an altar intheir home for worship.

Illness is the result of pastand current life actions(Karma).

The right hand is seen asholy, and eating andintervention needs to be

with the right hand topromote clean healing.

Death marks a passagebecause the soul has nobeginning or end.

At death the soul maybe reborn as anotherperson and ones Karma

is carried forward.

May but not all arevegetarian. Many holydays include fasting.

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Hinduism Malaysian Indian:- Tamil- Malayalees

- SindhisOthers ethnicity


It is important forKarma to leave this life

with as little negativityas possible to insure abetter life next birth.

Holy water and basilleaves may be placed onthe body; sacred threadsmay be tied aroundwrist or neck.

The deceased arm

should be strengthened.

Islam Malaysian MalaysOther ethnicity

Mohammed is believedto be the greatest of all

prophets.

Worship occurs in amosque. Prayers occurs 5times a day.

Prayers are done facing

east toward the sacredplace in Mecca - Kiblatand often occur on a

prayer rug with ritual

washing of hands, faceand feet prior prayer.

Allah is in control of thebeginning and end of life,and expressions of

powerless are rare.

To question or askquestions of healthcare

providers is considered asign of mistrust so pts and

family are less likely toask questions

All outcomes, whetherdeath or healing, areseen as predetermined

by Allah.

It is important for dyingpts to face east and diefacing east.

Prayer is offered butneed not be done by anImam (religious leader)

Consumption of porkor alcohol is

prohibited.

Other meats must meetritual requirementsHalal.

During the holy days

of Ramadhan neitherfood nor drink is takenbetween sunrise andsunset, though frail, ill

and young children areexempt.

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Islam Malaysian MalaysOther ethnicity


Women are to bemodest and are not to

view men, other thantheir husbands, naked.

Christianity A mixture of ethnicity Beliefs focus around the

Old and New Testamentsof the Bible and viewJesus Christ as theSaviour.

Prayers may be directedto one or all the Holy

Trinity (God, Holy Spirit,and Jesus Christ).

Beliefs usually culturallydeveloped vary withindenominations.

Most view illness as a

natural process for thebody and even as a testingof faith.

Others may see illness as acurse brought on by livingoutside the laws of God

and, therefore, retributionfor personal evil.

There is belief in

miracles, especiallythrough prayer.

Western medicine isusually held in highregard.

No special or universal

food beliefs arecommon to Christiansreligions, althoughthere may be regionalor cultural beliefs.

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how religion, culture affect spirituality

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