Opinions of nursing and theology faculty students on Xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: It is mentioned that students' opinions about xenotransplantation (XTx) have been explored in a limited manner. In particular, there is no literature in Turkey on Nursing and Theology students' perspectives on XTx. This research aimed to find out what Nursing and Theology students thought about XTx. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on students studying at the Theology and Nursing faculties. The study population consisted of 2.581 students educated in these faculties. Without using any sampling method, it was aimed to reach all students, and 1.780 (70%) students were reached. Data were collected using a participant identification form and questionnaire form, which the researchers developed. RESULTS: The difference between the answers given by the Nursing and Theology students to the information statements about XTx was statistically significant (p < .001). Nursing and Theology students' attitudes to organ or tissue Tx from halal animals in case of necessity were positive (p < .001). While the nursing students' attitude toward organ or tissue Tx from non-helal animals in case of necessity was negative, Theology students had no idea (p < .001). In other attitude statements, while nursing students responded positively, Theology students responded as "I have no idea" (p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: Theology students tended to have the question about XTx and only positive attitude towards XTx from halal animals. Nursing students mostly had positive attitude, but negative when XTx is practiced out of necessity.

[Was Gregor Mendel subjected to chores before becoming a monk in 1843?] / Gregor Mendel fut-il soumis à la corvée avant de devenir moine en 1843 ?

Our knowledge of the young Mendel's life prior to his admission to the monastery comes essentially from the curriculum vitae submitted in 1850. His first biographer Hugo Iltis used this document as a sort of autobiography, although the document contained various voluntary omissions and inaccuracies. We have sought the reasons for these and in so doing have discovered why Mendel's entry into religion had become ineluctable.

TITLE: Gregor Mendel fut-il soumis à la corvée avant de devenir moine en 1843 ? ABSTRACT: Après avoir suivi brillamment deux ans de cours préparatoires à la formation universitaire qui devait le mener au professorat, Gregor Mendel entre subitement dans un monastère augustin en 1843. A-t-il renoncé à son projet professoral pour devenir prêtre ou a-t-il seulement repoussé ce projet ? Afin de déterminer les raisons de son comportement, nous étudions dans cet article ses années de formation secondaire, en complétant et en corrigeant les données d'un curriculum vitae rédigé par lui-même en avril 1850, pour le joindre à une demande d'habilitation à l'enseignement secondaire.

Theology and Nursing Students' Knowledge of Organ Donation and Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge level of nursing and theology students, who will deliver health care and religious services in the future, about organ donation. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 578 university students at Firat University Faculty of Health Science Nursing Department and Faculty of Theology. RESULTS: Of the participants, 49.3% were nursing students and 50.7% were theology students. Although 3.8% of the students stated that a family member had donated an organ, only 0.5% of all students had a donation card. Among the nursing students, 34.4% stated that they had no reason for not having a donation card and that they might donate in the future. Among the theology students, the rate was 27.3%. In terms of reasons for wishing to be an organ donor, religious beliefs were more important to theology students than to nursing students (18.4% and 16.1%, respectively). The nursing students' total score on the Organ-Tissue Donation and Transplantation Knowledge Scale was significantly higher than that of the theology students (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the current level of knowledge of nursing and theology students about organ donation and transplantation was adequate, the rate of organ donation was low. Therefore, not only health care professionals, but also religious officials have important roles to play in increasing the organ donation rate. Removing existing barriers to organ donation is important to resolve the current organ donation shortage in Turkey.

Frames for the Future: Developing Continuing Education & Professional Development Programs for Spiritual Care Practitioners: A Perspective from Victoria, Australia.

This article examines the educational issues in ongoing professional education for spiritual care practitioners. A meta-evaluation of registration and evaluation data over four years (between 2013 and 2016) of one such monthly program conducted by Spiritual Health Victoria (Australia) will be examined. Recommendations are made to support healthcare managers and spiritual care educators in designing and developing continuing education programs for spiritual care practitioners in a variety of other professional health and care contexts.

A cultural take on the links between religiosity, identity, and meaning in life in religious emerging adults.

Identity and meaning in life are core developmental assets in emerging adulthood. We analysed how religiosity is related to these intentional strivings in emerging adults enrolled in theological education, by depicting (1) identity strivings and meaning in life accounts in faith narratives (Study 1) and (2) links between personal identity and meaning in life profiles and religious beliefs, behaviours, and subjective experiences (Study 2). Both studies highlighted that a Foreclosed status, with high personal commitment and reduced exploration, was dominant in faith narratives and personal identity profiles. Also, in narratives meaning in life was reflected by a strong focus on presence of meaning through religious insights. Nonetheless, global meaning in life profiles indicated that many emerging adults were searching for a meaning in their lives, while reporting lower levels of presence of meaning. Identity Achievement and High Presence-High Search profiles were linked to the highest levels of subjective, behavioural, and cognitive religiosity. We highlighted the multidimensionality of identity and meaning in life strivings in emerging adults attending theological schools. We pointed out that even in a somewhat foreclosed cultural context (e.g., Romanian Christian Orthodox theological schools), religion represents a dynamic social and ideological context for self-development. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Religious beliefs increase in emerging adults, doubled by decreases in religious behaviours, linked to an adherence to a more personal approach to religion. Religious youth are more committed to their faith and also explore identity and life meaning in relation to their religious strivings. Youth religious exemplars report close links between their religious faith and strivings for meaningful life goals. What does this study add? We investigated Christian Orthodox theology students, for whom religion is a normative dimension of personal and vocational development. A Foreclosed status, with high personal commitment and reduced exploration was dominant in faith narratives and in personal identity profiles. Many emerging adults were searching for a meaning in their lives, while at the same time reporting lower levels of presence of meaning. Identity Achievement and High Presence-High Search profiles were linked to higher levels of subjective, behavioural, and cognitive religiosity.

Knowledge and Attitudes of the Faculty of Theology Students on Organ Transplantation.

The objective in this study is to determine the knowledge and attitudes of the Faculty of Theology students on organ transplantation. The study that was planned as a descriptive study took place between March-May 2014 with the participation of 119 students enrolled at the Faculty of Theology. It was determined as a result of the study that the students see lack of knowledge (49.6%) as the top obstacle for organ transplantation followed by religion (21%), that 52.1% accept that organ transplantation is not forbidden in Islam; that 27.7% agree with the thought that considers it disturbing and unnerving to carry an organ or tissue from another body; that 80.7% agree with the idea stating that organ transplantation should be carried out even if it provides only a possibility for treatment or for prolonging one's life and that 82.4% agree with the opinion that statements in favor of organ transplantation to be declared by the Directorate of Religious Affairs will increase organ transplantation. Clergymen play an important role in affecting the behavior and attitudes of large public masses, and thus it is important that the positive ideas of these individuals with regard to organ donation will thus have indirect but positive effects on the attitudes of the public with regard to organ transplantation. Hence, it is thought that determining the attitudes of clergymen candidates who will educate the public both at schools and at places of prayer and increasing their awareness in this subject will contribute to increasing the awareness of the public with regard to organ donation.

'Out of the Whirlwind': Clinical Pastoral Education and Climate Change.

This article traces the development of an innovative program of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), conducted in 2013 in Victoria, Australia. Interns were placed in environmental contexts; the program's aim was to enhance the eco-ministry identity of interns as they attended to the anxieties and concerns of people affected by ecological change, as well as listening to the cries and groans of Earth. In this sense, pastoral care acknowledges the environment and our human presence within it as of religious and spiritual concern. The theological and supervisory rationales of the program are outlined and include a careful alignment of parallel competencies with the existing objectives and standards required for accreditation. Guidelines for sacred practice in nature, place/case study and the more-than-human verbatims are described, and an illustrative example of such a verbatim is also included.

An Integrative Professional Theory and Practice Paper: Personal Reflections from the Journey through Clinical Pastoral Education.

CPE is an experience-based approach to learning spiritual care which combines clinical care with qualified supervision, in-class education and group reflection (CASC--http://www.spiritualcare.ca/). Through didactic seminars, group presentations and personal reading there is opportunity for the student to acquire, apply and integrate relevant theoretical information into their practice. Written for my CPE Specialist application, this paper describes how, through the course of advanced CPE education, I learn to utilize and integrate theory into my clinical work. Beginning with three strands--authenticity, listening and storytelling--I then discuss how the behavioural sciences and theology inform my practice. Focusing on empathy, I speak of the application of disclosure, the use of counter-transference as a diagnostic tool, and the place of therapeutic termination. Group theory, family systems theory, theological reflection, liturgical ministry, and multi-faith practices are considered.

Intellectuality and attitudes of clergy about organ donation in Turkey: metasynthesis of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: In Turkey, donation rates remained low despite the efforts of the Religious Affairs Supreme Council. We sought to determine theological perspectives and behaviors of clergy and theology students toward organ donation. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of observational studies. RESULTS: There were 2154 participants. Eighty-two percent stated Islam allows organ donation. Nineteen had organ donation card (<1%). Fifty-four percent were reluctant to donate organs themselves, 56% lacked sufficient knowledge. Twenty percent referred to school education and periodicals as the source of information. Sixty-nine percent were act as opinion leaders for organ donation. In curriculums of the Faculties of Theology, organ donation as a separate topic has not been found. No articles regarding organ donation have been published in theology journals in their 60-year publication history. CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy exists between the resolutions of the Board of Religious Affairs and attitudes of clergy toward organ donation in Turkey. Theology faculties seem not to pay specific attention to this issue. The Directorate of Religious Affairs and the faculty of theology should meet at a common point immediately in terms of training programs and continuing education with strict audit in context of organ transplantation and donation.

The twenty-first century challenges to sexuality and religion.

Clergy and religious leaders are facing a wide variety of sexual needs and concerns within their faith communities. Conflicts over sexual issues are growing across the entire spectrum of religious denominations, and clerics remain ill prepared to deal with them. As religious communities work to remain influential in public policy debates, clergy and the institutions that train them need to be properly prepared for twenty-first century challenges that impact sexuality and religion. Clergy are often the first point of contact for sexual problems and concerns of their faith community members-complex issues centered on morals, spirituality, and ethics. Yet, there still exists a significant lack of sexual curricula in the programs that are educating our future religious leaders. The resulting paucity of knowledge leaves these leaders unprepared to address the needs and concerns of their congregants. However, with accurate, relevant human sexuality curricula integrated into theological formation programs, future leaders will be equipped to competently serve their constituencies. This paper provides a rationale for the need for such training, an overview of the faith- and theology-based history of a pilot training project, and a description of how the Christian faith and the social sciences intersect in a training pilot project's impetus and process.

Stigma as 'othering' among Christian theology students in South Africa.

HIV is a health and developmental crisis that has profoundly challenged the Christian church in sub-Saharan Africa. Responding to stigma and prejudice against HIV and people living with HIV and AIDS has been a major concern of theologians and Christian leaders. However, Christians themselves and the church as a community are equally prone to stigma and prejudice. The author contends that this stigma is grounded in the dynamic of 'othering', which, among Christians, takes on religious or theological overtones. Drawing on qualitative data from theology students in South Africa, the paper assembles a model of AIDS stigma as othering. The central story or axis of the model is the dynamic of othering, comprising three themes, viz. lack of empathic contact, disconnection, and distancing. There are three main dynamics that appear to contribute to or feed into othering, viz. emotions related to sexuality and HIV, theology of health and judgement, and contextualised knowledge of HIV. Finally, the model presents two primary results of othering, viz. disengagement from HIV through passivity and hopelessness, and prejudice against those living with HIV. The paper endeavours to reveal the possible biblical roots of AIDS stigma. Through this, the deep violence embedded in such stigma is exposed and contrasted with a theology of inclusiveness and engagement.

How culture shapes community: bible belief, theological unity, and a sense of belonging in religious congregations.

Feeling that you belong in a group is an important and powerful need. The ability to foster a sense of belonging can also determine whether groups survive. Organizational features of groups cultivate feelings of belonging, yet prior research fails to investigate the idea that belief systems also play a major role. Using multilevel data, this study finds that church members' traditional beliefs, group-level belief unity, and their interaction associate positively with members' sense of belonging. In fact, belief unity can be thought of as a "sacred canopy" under which the relationship between traditional beliefs and feelings of belonging thrives.

Modelo causal del prejuicio religioso / Causal Model of religious prejudice

El objetivo de este trabajo es avanzar en la investigación que analiza la asociación entre religión y prejuicio. Este estudio se ha realizado con varias muestras cristianas dentro y fuera del ámbito universitario: 211 y 155 participantes respectivamente. Se utilizan varios instrumentos para evaluar la orientación religiosa, prejuicio religioso, autoritarismo de derechas, fundamentalismo, frecuencia de oración, literalismo, creencias, emociones, favorabilidad y racismo moderno. Se ha creado una Escala del Prejuicio Religioso con cuatro factores (homofobia, sexismo, intolerancia religiosa y distancia social) que muestra ser un instrumento útil para conocer la compleja relación entre religión y prejuicio. Los resultados señalan que las variables autoritarismo de derechas y el fundamentalismo son los mejores predictores del prejuicio y además, la muestra no universitaria (grupos religiosos y parroquias) presenta un mayor prejuicio religioso (AU)

The aim of the present paper is to extend previous research that examines the relationship between religion and prejudice. This study was conducted with samples inside and outside the university context: 211 and 155 participants respectively. Various instruments are used to measure the religious orientation, religious prejudice, rightwing authoritarianism, fundamentalism, frequency of prayer, literalism, beliefs, emotions, favorability and modern racism. A Religious Prejudice Scale has been created with four factors (homophobia, sexism, religious intolerance and social distance) and is shown as a useful tool to understand the complex relationship between religion and prejudice. The results show that the variables right-wing authoritarianism and fundamentalism are the best predictors of prejudice and also that the non university sample (religious groups and churches) manifests a greater religious prejudice (AU)

Preconceito contra homossexuais e representações sociais da homossexualidade em seminaristas católicos e evangélicos / Prejudice against homosexuals and social representations of homosexuality of catholic and evangelic seminarians

Este trabalho analisa as relações entre o preconceito contra os homossexuais e as representações sociais sobre a homossexualidade. Trata-se de um estudo correlacional com 374 estudantes de teologia (207 evangélicos e 167 católicos) que responderam um questionário sobre crenças e atitudes em relação aos homossexuais. Os resultados indicam duas formas de expressão do preconceito: sutil e flagrante. O preconceito sutil está relacionado com a crença numa natureza biológica e psicossocial e com a descrença numa representação ético-moral da homossexualidade. O preconceito flagrante está relacionado com a descrença na natureza biológica e psicossocial e com uma representação ético-moral. A hipótese de que as representações sociais sobre a natureza dos grupos minoritários estão na base do preconceito e da discriminação é corroborada.(AU)

This study analyzes the relationship between prejudice against homosexuals and social representations about homosexuality. Participants were 374 theology students (167 catholic and 207 evangelic) who individually answered a questionnaire about beliefs and attitudes toward homosexuals. Results allowed to identify two forms of prejudice: Subtle and blatant. The subtle prejudice is related to biological and psychosocial representations about homosexuality and to the disbelief in an ethical and moral nature of homosexuality. The blatant prejudice is related with the disbelief in a biological and psychosocial nature as well as with ethical and moral representations about homosexuality. In the discussion it is argued that social representations about the nature of minority groups can form the basis of prejudice and discrimination.(AU)

Preconceito contra homossexuais e representações sociais da homossexualidade em seminaristas católicos e evangélicos / Prejudice against homosexuals and social representations of homosexuality of catholic and evangelic seminarians

Este trabalho analisa as relações entre o preconceito contra os homossexuais e as representações sociais sobre a homossexualidade. Trata-se de um estudo correlacional com 374 estudantes de teologia (207 evangélicos e 167 católicos) que responderam um questionário sobre crenças e atitudes em relação aos homossexuais. Os resultados indicam duas formas de expressão do preconceito: sutil e flagrante. O preconceito sutil está relacionado com a crença numa natureza biológica e psicossocial e com a descrença numa representação ético-moral da homossexualidade. O preconceito flagrante está relacionado com a descrença na natureza biológica e psicossocial e com uma representação ético-moral. A hipótese de que as representações sociais sobre a natureza dos grupos minoritários estão na base do preconceito e da discriminação é corroborada.

This study analyzes the relationship between prejudice against homosexuals and social representations about homosexuality. Participants were 374 theology students (167 catholic and 207 evangelic) who individually answered a questionnaire about beliefs and attitudes toward homosexuals. Results allowed to identify two forms of prejudice: Subtle and blatant. The subtle prejudice is related to biological and psychosocial representations about homosexuality and to the disbelief in an ethical and moral nature of homosexuality. The blatant prejudice is related with the disbelief in a biological and psychosocial nature as well as with ethical and moral representations about homosexuality. In the discussion it is argued that social representations about the nature of minority groups can form the basis of prejudice and discrimination.

[To God through science. Natural theology in Francoism]. / A Dios por la ciencia. Teología natural en el Franquismo.

In Spain, during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1975) the teaching and divulgation of science were subordinated to the Catholic religion and many books defended a theistic and creationistic point of view of biology that accepted a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis and denied the theory of evolution, especially as it relates to human origin. This article is devoted to the main books and characteristics of this way of thinking which reproduced arguments and metaphors of the pre-Darwinian natural theology, arguing that nature was ruled by God and living organisms were the results of his design.

Seminarian attitudes toward counseling.

This paper examines whether seminarians are interested in referring parishioners to pastoral counselors or prefer handling commingled psychological and spiritual problems through counseling parishioners themselves. Research results revealed openness toward referral and also a strong interest in counseling persons themselves. Forms of collaboration other than referral were also examined, and seminarians indicated openness to using consultation, training, and personal therapeutic support. Implications for church-psychology collaboration, generally, are discussed. Areas for further research are recommended.

Richard Clarke Cabot, M.D., a unitarian critique.

This article is written to correct a historical impression about Richard C. Cabot, one of the founders of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Contrary to the popular understanding that he was a typical Unitarian, the author posits that even though Cabot may have been a typical liberal, in his theology, he was an atypical Unitarian. This article places Cabot in his family and historical contexts, his involvement in CPE, and comments on his theology, noting how this differed from the prevailing Unitarian theology of his day.