Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 48: Spiritual Health

What is the difference between religion and spirituality?

Religion refers to a person’s set of beliefs about God and the afterlife. Spirituality includes transcendence (finding meaning larger than the person’s individual self and life), connection (integration of all aspects of life), balance (harmony), and purpose (an understanding of the impact of a person’s life, including the understanding of life events).

How do the various religions differ in regard to near death and after-death care?

Embalming and cremation are not acceptable in the Baha’i faith. Hindus prefer cremation. In Judaism burial must be as soon as possible after death and body parts should be buried together. Jews often oppose cremation. People in most Native American religions avoid discussions of death and often oppose autopsy. Last rites are given by Catholic, Orthodox, and Episcopal priests to clients who are near death.

How do the various religious differ in regard to beliefs about birth and abortion?

Abortion is prohibited by those of the Baha’i, Christian Scientist, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, and Catholic faiths. Birth control is not allowed by the Catholic faith. Jehovah’s Witnesses prohibit surgical sterilization but not other forms of birth control. Judaism proscribes ritual circumcision of infant boys 8 days after birth. Infant baptism is required in the Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran faiths.

How do various religions differ in their approach to health care?

Most Western faiths allow the practice of traditional Western medicine. Christian Scientists believe illness is an illusion and therefore, prohibit all forms of medicine. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse transfusions, organ transplants, and (sometimes) vaccination. Some evangelical Protestants see illness as a punishment from God. Hindus view illness as a result of actions in a past life. Catholics often request anointment when ill.

What are the seven stages of spiritual development described by Fowler?

Stage 0 (undifferentiated), occurs from age 0 to 3 and is characterized by no conceptualization about the self or the environment. Stage 1 (intuitive-projective), from age 2 to 7, is influenced by adults. It includes an awareness of death. Stage 2 (mythic-literal), in middle childhood, is characterized by gaining spiritual understanding through the use of stories. Stage 3 (synthetic-conventional), occurring during adolescence, involves reflection on the contradictions in spiritual myths and stories, leading to a more personal relationship with the world and spiritual beliefs. Stage 4 (individuating-reflective), in young adulthood, puts conceptual meaning to the spirituality adopted from childhood. Stage 5 (paradoxical-consolidative), uncommon before midlife, involves in-depth examination of multifaceted spiritual issues. Stage 6 (universalizing), rarely achieved by most, includes breaking down barriers between classes and social conditions to promote justice and understanding.