Christian

Christianity has developed and divided into a rich variety of separate denominations over two thousand years; there are more conservative and more liberal strands within most of them. Some Christians strongly prefer ministry from those of their own denomination. In the United Kingdom the most frequently practiced are Baptist, Catholic, Church of England, Ireland and Wales (or ‘Anglican’), Methodist, Reformed (including Church of Scotland), Salvation Army, and a growing number of independent churches. Christian Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are not regarded, nor regard themselves, as mainstream Christians.

Christians may pray privately at home and together in church. In hospital they may appreciate being prayed for by others or have someone visit and pray with them. Those who have attended church may appreciate a minister of priest of their own tradition bringing them the bread and wine from a service of Holy Communion. Some may also wish informally or formally to take spiritual advice or confess their sins and receive assurance of God’s forgiveness, and this might be especially important for some near the end of their life.

A plain cross or a crucifix is the symbol of Christianity. Small versions might be worn around the neck. Prayer beads (rosaries) may be used by some Christians as part of their prayers. Some Christians favour images of Jesus, his mother Mary and other saints in the form of statues or pictures. Icons are a special type of such pictures.

The sacred text for all Christians is the Holy Bible. This is made up of the Old Testament, also sacred to Jews and the New Testament, which has the four Gospel accounts detailing the teaching, life, death and resurrection (The sacred text for all Christians is the Holy Bible. This is made up of the Old Testament, also sacred to Jews and the New Testament, which has the four Gospel accounts detailing the teaching, life, death and resurrection (coming back to life) of Jesus Christ. The New Testament also includes a history of the early Church as well as letters containing teaching written by early followers of Jesus. The Bible is read as part of Christian worship and also for individual devotion.

Some, but not all, Christians have an issue of conscience when it comes to appreciating a diversity of sexual identities or preferences. This may also apply when it comes to approving of termination of pregnancy. This can mean that some Christians struggle to accept others’ identities or lifestyles and may therefore appear judgemental in their attitudes.

For Christians, the sanctity of life and belief that all humans are precious and created in God’s image are key when faced with ethical dilemmas in a healthcare setting. These words of Jesus are a guiding principle: ‘Love God… and love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-40).

Christian patients may face a range of ethical dilemmas such as whether to go ahead with treatment or not (such as termination); whether to withdraw treatment for a loved one at the end of life. Some Christian staff may also be challenged by dilemmas at work (such as accepting others’ lifestyles, behaviours or identities where these conflict with their personal interpretation of the Bible). One’s Christian conscience will be a strong factor influencing decisions and it is always good to talk through concerns with a trusted Christian friend or leader.

Christians may appreciate being prayed for by others and have someone visit and pray with them. Those who attend church regularly or who used to do so may appreciate a minister or priest of their own tradition bringing them the bread and wine from a service of Holy Communion. Some may also wish informally or informally to take spiritual advice or confess their sins and receive assurance of God’s forgiveness, and this might be especially important for some near the end of their life. Having a Bible available to read may also be important. Having a small wooden holding cross has often also come to be appreciated.

Most Christians will understand the work of medical science as cooperating with God’s healing presence in the world. Christian Scientists may avoid conventional medical treatments.

Jehovah’s Witnesses accept most medical treatments, including anaesthetic and surgical procedures, devices, and techniques; non-blood therapeutic agents that control haemorrhage and stimulate the production of red blood cells; as well as volume expanders and all other non-blood management strategies.

Unacceptable medical treatment:

• transfusions of packed red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets
• preoperative autologous blood donation for later reinfusion (pre-deposit)

Each patient who is a Jehovah’s Witness will, as a matter of personal, individual choice, decide whether he/she wishes to accept the following. It is therefore important to discuss with each patient whether or not these are acceptable.

While machines, systems, and arrangements vary, each patient will make a personal decision as to whether or not to accept perioperative/intraoperative blood salvage (cell saver), postoperative blood salvage (wound drains), haemodilution, haemodialysis, and heart bypass (pumps must be primed with non-blood fluids).

Some patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses will refuse all blood derivatives, other may consent to all such, still others may accept some, but refuse others.

Distinctive forms of dress are rare in Christianity. Some (e.g. Mormons) require more modesty in dress than others.

Although there is no specific teaching of Jesus on personal hygiene, the spirit of the New Testament is for a Christian to treat his or her body as a ‘temple of the Holy Spirit’ which implies looking after it well, including cleanliness.

There are two main Christian festivals: Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and Easter when Jesus died on the cross (remembered on on Good Friday) and rose again from the dead (celebrated on Easter Sunday). Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate either Christmas or Easter.

Most Christians do not have an issue, but some may have a personal preference for same gender care, and this may apply particularly to some who do not have British or Irish roots. There will also be some Christian traditions which are less accepting of female minsters or priests.

If a baby is vulnerable, the parents may ask that he or she should be baptised (the colloquial term ‘christened’ might be used) straight away. If a minister is not available then any baptised Christian may do an emergency baptism sprinkling a little water on the baby’s head using the words ‘I baptise you in the name of Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.’

If a baby has died, the parents may want to have their baby named and blessed by the Christian SPaRC Practitioner.

Towards the end of life Christians may appreciate words from the Bible and prayers to remind them of God’s promise of eternal life through Jesus. Part of these prayers may be to ask God’s forgiveness, and to heal damaged relationships. For Catholics and some Anglicans, these prayers take the form of a set rite: Anointing the Sick with oil is way that a Christian minister or priest can pray for God’s healing power and forgiveness. For Catholics, the last rites can only be performed by a Catholic Priest and it is therefore important to make contact so that they can attend – there will be a nominated on-call for such times.

After a death, the family may wish to spend time at bedside in prayers. Making arrangements for a funeral with a Christian minister may be a comfort, a reminder of the Christian hope of resurrection to eternal life. For Catholics there is a Prayer for the Dead that can be recited.

Most Christians do not practice a specific diet. A few might not eat meat on Fridays and/or observe the elements of similar fasting during the period of Lent which leads up to Easter. Latter-day Saints hold regular fast days. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not eat meat unless the blood has been properly drained. Seventh Day Adventists abstain from pork, shellfish and fish without fins and scales. Mormons do not take tea or coffee and may avoid meat.

Family and community can be important elements in a Christian community, and Jesus strongly advocated visiting the sick. Some churches may have a small team of members with DBS clearance who visit in hospital.

The Christian belief is that we are all God’s children, deeply loved and precious whatever our ability. Many people face additional challenges that traditionally have been called disability, whether that be from birth, through illness or accident. In history, at certain times and in a variety of cultures, disability has been seen as a punishment from God, but Jesus was very clear that this was a wrong view (John 9:1-3). Jesus related to the person whatever their ability, in the Gospels he heals but the emphasis is on healing the whole person (spiritual & physical) rather than ‘curing’ or fixing a problem. Jesus’ vision was that the church was to be an inclusive community where everyone flourishes with the gifts God has given them and thrives as a beloved child of God. Whatever our abilities, Jesus calls us to serve one another and when we do that it is as though we are serving Him (Matthew 25:31-40)