A Peer Response must be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Each Peer Response must have ONE reference with citations (the best is a peer-reviewed article). Word count is greater than 75 words or at least 5 sentences in length. Please avoid statements like “I agree” or “great post” or ” the writer states” Discussion question/Participation #1
Imago Dei is a concept in which human beings were created in the image of God. Literally, this can be translated as “Image of God”. Within the Christian religion, in the theistic world view, God created man in his image, but this is not the literal meaning in that man looks like God, rather that God gave his attributes to human beings. The attributes given include knowledge, reason, and the ability to love and forgive (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). This concept of imagio dei can translate into healthcare due to the attributes that are instilled into humans being essential to be proficient in the healthcare profession. Nurses use compassion, knowledge and reasoning to make decisions on nursing care on a daily basis. This is the correlation made from the theistic perspective, however, if you look at the concept of imagio dei from the perspective of an atheist, these attributes could be contributed to moral values and family life.
Discussion question/Participation #2
The Christian concept of the imago Dei is Latin for image of God. This concept is based on the idea that all humans regardless of their differences were created in God’s image (White, 2020). This gives all human beings and their life value.
This concept is important in health care because it shows that all human life deserves dignity. As a nurse it is important to remember that we see our patients at their most vulnerable and helping them preserve dignity and being kind in these situations is part of our job. It is tough to be a care giver, sometimes those that need the most grace are the family of the patient. For example, we sometimes have elderly patients in the hospital whose families have quit their jobs to be 24-hour care givers, the time the patient is in the hospital is the first moment they have had to themselves in a long time. Helping caregivers to understand the importance of caring for themselves is just as important as caring for their loved ones. It is hard to pour from an empty cup. Filling their cup up with self-love and self-care in turn helps them pour into their family member even better.
Human dignity is, “the belief that human beings are the proper objects of respectful treatment. Dignity is especially important for medical professionals because it is the motivation for proper care. Dignity itself refers to rendering due esteem proper to the status of an entity. Beyond innate worth, the concept of dignity suggests an attitude of respectful reverence that is based upon an acknowledgement of the mysterious nature of human existence. Rather than being automatically given, dignity is based upon the inherent worth of human beings but requires a choice on the part of others to recognize. Dignity is closely related to a mandate to care” (White, 2020).Discussion question/Participation #3
Imago Dei, or the image of God, is the Christian concept that human beings are created in God’s image. Not God’s literal, physical, image but the character of God (White, 2020). Christians believe that human beings have autonomy and moral agency to care for and enhance the rest of creation, as God has created humans in his image. This suggests all persons should treat all persons with dignity and respect. White (2020) also mentions that humans were made for relationships, to be social beings and interact with God and one another.
The importance of imago Dei in healthcare, is the idea of treating one another with dignity and respect. Every life matters and every person matters. Regardless of a person’s status in the community, all persons should receive the same respect and best treatment available, without judgment.
Discussion question/Participation #4
According to my world view, I believe that all humans have value. God creates people for a reason, however such heinous acts that may be performed by one human to another, like kidnapping, rape, murder, etc. God does not approve of these actions. I believe that everyone will do what they want and God may not have control over that, but I do feel that God is there to guide us in hopes that we do the right moral thing. I am not in support of an action where harm is done, but for the goal of good to overrule the bad. I have learned through nursing school, medical conditions arise where a medical abortion may be necessary to save the mother in her early pregnancy term. An example may be where she may experience severe preeclampsia or in the case of where a motor vehicle accident has put the mother gravely at risk and in critical condition. Overall, I would hope for the right ethical and moral decision to be made when considering another life that is involved and that if harm was done, it was done to save a life.
.DIscussion question/Participation # 5
My worldview of the value of a human person is that their lives are all equally valued. All humans were created equal, and the value put on their life by God. I believe we were all created to live in the image of God with love, compassion, and good in our hearts. However, all humans perceive and believe in different versions of God, spirituality, and the meaning of life. I believe regardless of beliefs every human person still has the same value, and still deserves to be treated with goodness and respect. As a nurse, having compassion for my patients is usually easy, in some cases it can be a difficult part of nursing. For example, in the emergency room, we get patients that have committed violent crimes and inmates. Although it may be harder for me to relate to them, I still provide the highest level of medical care. For myself, I really dial into their injuries and focus on my skills.
Human nature can sometimes conflict with what is the right thing to do or feel as nurse. Human nature is defined as, “the conglomeration of characteristics that together form what it means to be a human being. The term may be used to identify innate tendencies, abilities, or faculties common to all human beings, but should not be confused with the theological term sin nature that identifies humans as having an inherent bent toward sin” (White, 2020). Some issues remain controversial to some, for example, fertility treatments, and stem cell research. I am a firm believer that it is not going against God’s intentions to do these things but rather, God has provided us with the minds to be able to accomplish and know how to scientifically do these things. My own experience has been with fertility treatments. My husband and I tried to have a baby for a long time, we were able to get pregnant doing several rounds of IUI. I absolutely believe that God had that plan for us all along to get the exact child that we have now. He is incredible and we need that little boy just as much as he needed us. But if we had gotten pregnant any other way or time we wouldn’t have the exact little boy we have. I feel truly lucky that God created the team of people that created IUI and the team of doctors and nurses that helped us make this happen.
Discussion question/Participation #6
My world view of human life is that all humans should treat one another with dignity and respect, regardless of your status in society. My world view is from the way I was raised with two older brothers in a rural community with a lot of friends and family always close by. I respect a persons choice for abortion. I do not feel it should be used as a form of birth control. Designer babies are a bad idea, I feel that people are playing God, and no one should even attempt that feat. Stem cell research can help so many people in a multitude of ways. My oldest daughter has epilepsy and Type I diabetes, any research that can be done to find a cure has my vote. There is so much research happening but why not capitalize on umbilical cords, a gift from God, to help.
