Spirituality

Health Care's New Religion

Spirituality in Health Care has taken a huge shift. In the past, pastoral care has been an extension of the church an faith in Christ. Today, pastoral care has shed the pastoral concept and is now called "spiritual care" virtually across the board. Hospitals and hospices now claim that patients can be "spiritual without being religious". This is an interesting concept in that religion is spiritual and all religions agree that there is no spirituality without religious faith and beliefs. As Christians we strictly adhere to the fact that there is not faith outside of Christ. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).

Health care claims to be spiritually neutral in providing spiritual care. Nothing is further from the truth. I contend that health care has adopted is own set of spiritual beliefs and practices that is not only antithetical to Christianity and faith in Christ, but is hospital toward all religions! I want to demonstrate some of health care's spiritual beliefs to paint a picture of its religious beliefs.

1. All paths lead to God regardless of beliefs or non-belief.
2. All religions are equally valid.
3. Everyone's spiritual destiny is guaranteed regardless of their beliefs. This is called universalism).
4. There is faith without Christ.
5. It is wrong to share your faith with others.
6. Self-introspection and emotional connections are the same as being spiritual.
7. We hire Christian ministers as chaplains but they are prohibited from sharing their faith.
8. There is spirituality in the absence of God.

This is but a sampling of the "spiritual care" that is being offered in hospitals today. Not only that, but stepping into the void of authentic pastoral care are the Hindu, Buddhist and occult practices of alternative medicine. Be very careful during your next hospital stay that the smiling face of a chaplain or other health care professional will provide you spiritual support as a Christian. They truth of the matter is that they are prohibited from doing so by their employers. Instead, they will attempt to indoctrinate you with health care's new religion.