choose a listed religion
choose no religion
only 4 listed
what would you do
your religion is not listed
Religious problem at the hospitals in my area.
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
April 12, 2012 10:39pm CST
How to explain.
OK, let's say you check in at the hospital and they ask you what religion you are. You tell them. It's not on their computer. They ask if it can be put under any of the following and they list the major world religions.
I asked if they could just select "other" and when a blank line comes up, type in Good Medicine Society or GMS. Their program doesn't have that feature and doesn't allow other relitions to come up.
So I either have to select what is there or be listed as no religion. In this day and age with all the religions in the world, with all the religions in just my area, they have this situation.
So if your religion was not listed and nothing like it listed or anything that was remotely in the same category, what woud you do?
I'm wondering what the Sufis, Siks, Ba'hai Faith, Wiccans and others do here. I know we have at least those religions and none of those were listed. You had to choose Christian-Catholic, Christian-Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim. They didn't have Native American Church or any religion for our huge population of Mohawks in the neighboring county. Many of them are Catholic or Protestant, but many are Tradionalists,too. No general categories like Earth-based religion,pagan, nothing.
So we're all supposed to be one of those 4 religions, choose one or get listed as no religion. What would you do if your religion was not listed? Choose one or be listed as no religion? I'm no religion at one hospital and not sure what I am at the other.
3 people like this
10 responses
@scarl3t (89)
• Greece
13 Apr 12
I think that if you choose the "no religion" option it doesnt mean that you are listed as a no believer of your or any other religion, but for typical reasons you have to choose a option, right? so if your religion is not listed there just choose the one that best suits for you and I think that is the "no religion" option, but then again its your choice, dont spend too much energy on this friend
2 people like this
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
13 Apr 12
I also agree with that.
The computer doesn't really care about religion. Maybe they have some other proccesses that deal with religion and if you are not one of those religions , you are like the no religion choice.
They probabely have some different procedures of how to make things done and the procedures consider the religion. If your religion is not one of what they suggest , you are supposed to be treated like the one who has no specific religion.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
Are you two thinking of all the things that could happen in a hospital? I could die. I could end up in ICU. I was told that both were possible with the impending 7 hour operation I had.
Read the other that I wrote below.
@scarl3t (89)
• Greece
14 Apr 12
Well I read all the conversation in this topic and I just realized that there so many religions than I imagined, I didnt think that matters in a hospital and I will tell you something friend
here in my country they dont ask the religion at the hospitals, and if they do its only for typical reasons, it has never happened to me though and I already had a risky surgury years ago because of an accident I had but I have no such experience with religion, if something would have happened to me during surgury they would have called my family and my family would have take care of the rest, if a priest needed, my family would have called him and not the hospital, if something happen to a patient and his family want to call a priest or a leader to comfort them they allow but they dont take actions them selves
it doesnt matter what religion you are, that is why I suggested the "no religion" option, it is mentioned in your file for typical reasons only, so if you are muslim, or christian or no believer it doesnt matter and they should not treat different unless you specify that your religion doesnt allow blood transfusion or something like that, which you and your family have to sign papers that you take full responsibility for what happens later
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Apr 12
Unfortunatly, there seems to be no way for them to add it onto their computer system. It's such a pain. I would think they could find a way.
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
13 Apr 12
I guess I would put "no religion" and then address the problem to the hospital board. It may be a problem with the software that they use. I have problems with my denomination within the Christian-protestant grouping. I cannot be Free Methodist, but get listed as Methodist or as Free Will Baptist on many things. It does feel like an affront in this day and age.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
14 Apr 12
Oh, I agree, it would make so much more sense to ask for preferred clergy person and type it in. Wesleyan Methodist is actually more like Free Methodist, but it is still more conservative. Some of them still emphasize a certain way of dress, etc. kind of similar to Mennonite. Yes, there is United Methodist, American Methodist Episcopal, Wesleyan, Free Methodist and who knows what else. There is an even greater variety of Baptists. Pentecostals, Apostolics, Holiness would all resent being grouped with Lutherans and Presbyterians, etc. Actually I sometimes feel that there is an evil spiritual conspiracy to divide our strength in our faith rather than to solidify our power.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
We have many Wesliynn (spelling?)-Methodists here. We also have people who are one or the other. Many people don't consider themselves Protestant Christians just because they aren't Catholic. Catholic is another problem-Roman Catholic is different from Anglican who are different from Greek Orthodox. I think the person whouls be able to just have what the person wants typed in. If a Roman Catholic Priest shows up and the person left that church to join a different Catholic one. . .. Even the 4 designations that they do have are a problem.
If the idea is to have the appropriate religious person show up for services or mass or whatever, shouldn't there be a way to denote who you want? Like in my case, Rev. Gail plus a telephone number to call her? That would be quick and to the point.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Apr 12
The last line is very interesting. That could be a topic itself, but would probably cause a lot of arguing.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Apr 12
Like I said in previous responses, I'm more concerned that no religion means they would call no one for my family.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Apr 12
Providing you're concious, that would work. But if you had an emergency operation, asking these dumb questions might vbe all the time you get.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
13 Apr 12
Wow, it's been a long time since I was admitted to a hospital, but I'd probably say no religion since that is what I am, or not, however it is..lol That is why FB is good, one can put in whatever he or she wants in what their "religion" is..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
15 Apr 12
I think they shouldn't ask about religion in that case, but who to contact. For example a couple next of kin who will let the rest of the family know and whoever your spiritual leader is. As for me, I observe the Biblical feasts and festivals, (This is where you thought I observe Judaism) and as for Christian, I use to call myself that, but like most atheist and agnostics, the people in my life who "claim" to be Christian, was no role model for Christ, so I no longer claim to be that either. I prefer to call it a relationship where I follow what G♥d says, not what man interprets and makes up. Another problem too, is if I claimed Christian, there are some pastors, (not all, but some) who I wouldn't want near me. So if I were in your position, I would make a list of names and numbers and say, "here is who you contact in case something happens"
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I thought you were two religions? Christian and Jew.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
16 Apr 12
I think even those at that age have some friends who they can trust and there is also wills that I actually think I should be making here soon..
@celticeagle (166761)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Apr 12
That is weird. I can understand why they ask the question but those forms are really aniquated to say the least. They should have an 'other' and a line for the uncommon ones. I would rather put 'no religion' than any of the others and then die and have the wrong ceremony or whatever. What a waste.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Apr 12
We have a Priest and a Minister at our local hospital.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I was thinking more about my family. No religion means they would send no one to comfort them.
1 person likes this
@Galena (9110)
•
13 Apr 12
I have never been asked my religion upon going into hospital.
if they asked me, I'd say Pagan.
unless your religion has specific teachings on medical treatment, like the Jehovas Witnesses being against blood transfusions, or teachings that a follower should only die with a weapon in their hand (I've had a good friend undergoing serious surgery having been given a symbolic weapon to have with them just in case) then it's none of their business what religion their patients are, and they've no reason to ask.
I would say it's the business of a person to make it clear if they've religious restrictions on treatment, not the hospitals place to ask.
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
This also creeped into my mind the other day. I was even thinking that if they ask me what religion i have, i would say, none.. i mean what difference does it make right? this gave me an idea and i might do this the time i get confined. And i will tell you how it went. 
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
If no religion fits, then fine. But it doesn't fit me.
Yes, let us know how it goes.
@much2say (55562)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Apr 12
Hmmm, I don't think I've ever been asked at the hospital! The only times I've been to the hospital were when I had my two kids . . . but I don't recall them asking my religion. If I may ask, why do they ask? I would almost be slightly offended - I would fall under none of those religions! It wouldn't be fair to say I am "no religion" just because I was not one of those four. I would understand if "other" was an option . . . there are far too many religions and beliefs to list. Their computer system/program must be real old - or at least I hope "that" is the reason why only those four are listed. Sure others must have complained about it? Hmmmm.
@much2say (55562)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Apr 12
Ah, that's what I had thought too. If that's the case, then it would be important get the "correct" religion of each patient . . . the option of "other" should be the minimum at least! Well, it's good they asked what they could do "just in case" - perhaps this is a part of that needs to be expanded, rather than the labeling of the patients. Perhaps a non-religious person may simply want their best friend contacted (or maybe even their pet!) to be at their side.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Apr 12
Very true, many possibilites to consider. Thanks for your response. It will be interesting to see if other areas have this problem or if they have other or if they have more options. Thanks and take care.
