The United States of America is “the most religiously diverse nation in the history” (Winslow, n.d., p. 2). With the immense growth in ethnic populations throughout the country, it is essential for health care practitioners to provide an integrative approach, to include a “whole person” care, as in body, mind and spirit. Any effort to increase the understanding of spiritual diversity and integrate these beliefs into daily standard practice, the patient is presented with opportunity of receiving spiritual sensitive care. Each person’s ideas and degree of spirituality differ, even amongst the same spiritual group or community. Therefore, each person’s care and spiritual involvement will differ. For simplicity, faith is being defined, as a strong belief in something for which there is no proof. Three deep seeded religions that America is being challenged, yet welcoming, into western medicine are the Islamic, Buddhist, and Native American practices. As key elements to each religion unfold and practitioners become more culturally competent and culturally sensitive, the alterations to holistic care will support the complete healing process; that of the body, mind and spirit.
Islam is the religion of the Muslim people. This faith is based on the book of the Koran, revelations from the Prophet Muhammad. Islam originated from the Arabic word aslama, which is submission ("The definition of Islam," 2013). Therefore, Islam refers to the submission to the will of God, better known as Allah to the Muslim people. The teachings of Islam come not only from the book of Koran, but portions of the Holy Bible influenced the development of the religion. Today, the Islam faith continues to disagree with the scriptures found in the Holy Bible and has brought much confusion and animosity amongst Americans. This religion is one of the fastest growing in the world. The ignorance that most Americans perceive this religion to encompass must be better