Conditions for Religious Discourse in Secularized Ethical Health Care Deliberation

• Published in: Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling: Advancing theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective publications
• Main Authors: van Nistelrooy, Inge, Vosman, Frans
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2012
• Subjects: General Medicine; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/154230501206600306; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/154230501206600306

Religious discourse is no longer self-evident in professional health care ethical deliberation in the North Atlantic cultural sphere. However, in a world of pluralism, care professionals still seek substantive views of good care. Religious and non-religious beliefs should not be excluded from ethical deliberation. They offer patients and professionals a helpful language for expressing values and beliefs. Chaplains have a role to play as allies in sense-making processes and resourcing care.