Culture and religion: interconnections and influences

Culture & Religion

Roman Catholic: The Roman Catholic religion believes in the Holy Trinity of a creator God the Father; Jesus Christ, His Son; and the Holy Spirit. Other beliefs that characterize the religion are the original sin; the forgiveness of sin; the second coming of the Lord; and life after death (CIM, 49). Given its belief in sin, the religion offers the hope of salvation through its sacraments and baptism. Infant baptism is encouraged to erase the original sin and as a start to a spiritual life through the Church. In addition, the Roman Catholic Church holds that the mass is a continuation of the sacrifice made by Christ and thus teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation or that the bread and wine at communion actually become the body and blood of Christ (Biblical Discernment Ministries, 1997). Generally, the religion has no dietary restrictions. However, it advocates abstaining from meat and meat products on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of the month of Lent. Roman Catholicism places a heavy emphasis on regular daily prayer and visits to the Church. The only impact the religion has on health care is in its prohibition of birth control and direct abortion. The religion places a great deal of importance on the Priest visiting dying patients to receive communion (University of Virginia, 1998-2004).

Christian Scientist: The religion believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ; in the Bible as a sufficient guide to eternal life; in God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal; in eternal life and the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter; and in watching and praying for The Divine Mind in human beings. The religion places a great deal of importance on prayer given its belief in the Bible as a guide to healing and eternal life. Baptism is regarded as the continual purification of thought and deed, while the Eucharist is seen as spiritual communion with the one God, celebrated with silent prayer and Christian living (Robinson, 2002). Christian Scientist places no dietary restrictions. The religion impacts health care given its belief in divine healing through prayers. As a result, Christian Scientists generally choose not to consult doctors, use medicine, and even refuse vaccines unless mandated by law. Medical intervention to prolong life is usually refused and autopsies are requested only if death occurs under unusual circumstances (Vanderbilt University).