Religious Health Beliefs and Practices
Religion
HinduismDominant
religion of
India
BuddhismReligion of
Eastern and
Central Asia
IslamReligion of
the Moslems
(Muslims)
Judaism-
Christianity
Belief about Health
Health Crisis/ Illness
Believe praying for health
is lowest form of prayerunconcerned about bodily
ills. Usually will accept
modern medicine
Views illness as the result
of misuse of the body or as
the consequence of sins
committed in a previous
life. Don’t encourage
prolonging life.
Their sects and branches
emphasize different
practices. Will generally
accept modern medicine
May ask for a Buddhist
priest for counseling. A
family member usually
remains with the sick
person to care for physical
and emotional needs. May
refuse tx on holy days
Use faith healing and group
prayer. The person submits
to God’s will in health and
in illness. Family is
comforting and supportive
No special birth rituals.
Do have infant presentation, affirmation,
confirmation, or
ordination in later
childhood
Sanctity of life is an
overriding belief and
promotes acceptance of
modern medical science.
Tend to believe in long life
as a reward for fidelity to
God
Obligated to seek medical
help. Various laws apply
to the donation or
transplantation of organs.
Visiting the sick is a
religious obligation
Ritual circumcision is
required by Orthodox
and Conservative Jews
on the 8th day after birth.
Reformed Jews favor this
but do not consider it a
religios imperative.
Fetus (7-8 weeks) buried
not discarded
Seeks the will of God in
life and suffering. But
their beliefs generally do
not conflict with modern
medicine
Different groups have
different practices. May
want to receive
communion, receive
sacraments (reconciliation,
eucharist) Jehovah
Witnesses are opposed to
blood transfusions. Some
believe in faith healing
Infant baptism required
by Episcopalians and
Catholics. Baptism of
aborted fetus and
stillborns w/ Catholics
Various denominations
require some form of
baptism, not all at birth
Older or more conservative believer may have a
fatalistic view and may
resist compliAnce with medical
treatment
Birth
No special birth rituals
A prayer is said in the
babies ear. In case of
miscarriage after 130
days gestation, fetus is
treated as fully developed
human being
Death
Diet
Priest ties thread around
the neck or wrist and
pours water into the
mouth. Only family
touches and washes the
body and then it is
cremated
May wish to have a priest
called in at the time of
death. Last rite chanting
is often done at the
bedside
Believe they
shouldn’t kill any
living creature- so
they are vegetarians.
Intoxicants are felt to
be to stimulating
Before death the client
confesses his sins and
asks forgiveness of the
family. The family
washes the body and then
turns east towards Mecca.
The head is turned to the
right shoulder Opposes
autopsy unless required
by law
Orthodox and some
Conservative Jews
oppose autopsy and
cremation. Ritual
cleansing of the body by
members of the Ritual
Burial Society. Buried
w/in 24 hr. No flowers
No eating of pork. No
alcohol. Can only eat
fish w/ scales.
Daylight fasting
during Ramadan.
There are special
methods of
slaughtering animals
Last rites w/ some
denominations
(Catholics, Eastern
Orthodox Christians).
Burial usually preferred
to cremation. May have
restrictions applying to
autopsy, burial of
amputated parts
Some are vegetarians,
most do not use
alcohol, tobacco, or
drugs. May fast on
holy days
Some observe kosher
dietary laws (prohibit
eating pork, shellfish,
eating meat with milk
or milk products).
Laws regulate food
preparation. Only eat
animals that chew a
cud and have split
hooves
Some groups prohibit
or discourage use of
alcohol, coffee, tea,
and tobacco. Roman
Catholics fast and
abstain from meat on
Ash Wednesday &
Good Friday & 1 hr.
before communion