Worldview refers to a collection of beliefs

A worldview is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group of people. It essentially refers to a vast range of notions that influence one’s personal interpretation of the world, allowing one to make sense of life and the world in general. A person’s personal worldview is influenced by a variety of circumstances, including moral beliefs and actions. Spirituality is one part of the worldview that has caused significant differences among people.

Several scholars define the term “spirituality” differently. Differences in spirituality meaning stem from disparities in people’s worldviews and what spirituality actually means to them. Being such a broad concept, spirituality has multiple perspectives. The most basic definition of spirituality is a sense of connection to something which is much bigger than ourselves. In nursing literature, spirituality has also become an increasingly common concept. According to Garcia and Koenig (2013), spirituality is an important coping strategy which attenuates the negative impact of traumatic stress on mental health. The complications that come with defining spirituality is as a result of differences in worldview. According to Wane, Manyimo, and Ritskes (2011), spirituality encourages the sharing of personal and collective experiences of understanding and dealing with the self.

The definition of spirituality varies on the context of pluralism, scientism, and postmodernism. Scientism views all inductive methods of the natural sciences as the only genuine factual knowledge. According to scientism, spirituality is factually mistaken since the traditional and religion theories of the origin of humans, life and societies are not factual. As opposed to scientism, postmodernism embraces a wide range of ideas including ideologies, skepticism, social progress, human nature, morality among others. The concept of spirituality according to postmodernism suggests that universal religious truths or laws do not exist. Rather, spirituality is shaped by one’s cultural, social and historical contexts. Also, aspects of spirituality are shaped according to an individual, time or place. Lastly, pluralism tends to diversify views as opposed to a single approach to issues. Based on pluralism, spirituality is defined by inclusivism, tolerance, ecumenism and diversity. This worldview suggests that oner’s spiritual belief is not the sole exclusive source of truth. Thus spiritualism is defined by harmonious co-existence between adherents of different spiritual beliefs.

Is whats Prime Reality?

As a believer, my worldview is religiously motivated. In my view, the prime reality is God. The prime reality. This, therefore, mean that I do believe in a higher sovereign power who controls the universe. Although the existence of God has never been proven, I do have faith in him which is essentially the core of God-human relationship.

What is the Nature of the World Around You?

According to my worldview, the world was created in an orderly manner. However, before the creation, the world was orderless, void and dark and all aspects of the universe including light were created by the supreme being. The world also consists of both the matter part and the spiritual part.

What is a Human Being?

According to me, a human being is a creation of God made from his own image. I also believe human beings to be the highest-level of God’s creation with a brain to rule over and control the rest of the creations within the universe. Therefore, being creations of the supreme being, human beings are spiritual beings who are incarnated into a physical body. This evident due to the differences between human beings when alive and after death.

What Happens to a Person at Death?

I do believe that there is life after death in another spiritual form. After death, human beings are transformed to a higher state. Since human beings are spirits incarnated in physical bodies, death usually frees the soul from the body. I also belive that after separation of the soul from the body, it returns to the divine.

Why is it Possible to Know Anything at all?

Human beings are the highest-level of creation given dominion over the earth, and all that exists in it. Therefore, I believe that it is in our human nature to know everything in order to best manage the universe and everything in it. Also, we are created in the image of God who is all-knowing.

How do People Know What is Right or Wrong?

Being created from the image of God whose character and nature are good, I believe this is where we draw inspiration on what is right and what is wrong based on his character. I also believe that ethical considerations are critical guides towards what is right or wrong because unethical behavior causes harm or distress.

What is the Meaning of Human History?

I believe human history is a special way through which human beings connect at the community level and learn from their past. Human history also reminds us about past sins committed by our forefathers and how they alienated sinful people from God. Through the human history, we are able to renew our covenant with God at a personal level.

References

Garcia, K., & Koenig, H. (2013). Re-examining Definitions of Spirituality in Nursing Research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 69(12), 2622-2634.

Wane, N., Manyimo, E., & Ritskes, E. (2011). Spirituality, education & society: an integrated approach. Rotterdam: SensePublishers.