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01-08-2021 | Original Paper

An Exploration of Suffering and Spirituality Among Older African American Cancer Patients as Guided by Howard Thurman’s Theological Perspective on Spirituality

Authors: Jill B. Hamilton, Walter E. Fluker

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2021

Abstract

The use of the religious experience to mitigate suffering within the context of a cancer diagnosis and treatment is poorly understood. Specifically, in this article, we explore suffering and the religious experience using Howard Thurman’s theological perspective. This perspective permits an exploration of the ways in which spirituality enables African American cancer patients to better manage suffering through: (1) a positive self-image as a child of God or the identification with the sufferings of Jesus; (2) seeking harmony in one’s environment; (3) the use of spirituality as self-nourishment; and, (4) the perspective of suffering as sacrament. In this paper, we use the narratives of African American cancer patients to argue that these theological perspectives are indeed relevant to the relief of suffering among this population.

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Title: An Exploration of Suffering and Spirituality Among Older African American Cancer Patients as Guided by Howard Thurman’s Theological Perspective on Spirituality
Authors: Jill B. Hamilton
Walter E. Fluker
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01215-8

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An Exploration of Suffering and Spirituality Among Older African American Cancer Patients as Guided by Howard Thurman’s Theological Perspective on Spirituality

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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