Social Workers seem trained to accept all religions, but think they're just crutches.
Recently, I've seen two separate Social Workers from a Medicare provider. I'm the caregiver & they were supposed to help me out with some ideas & resources for mom & myself. They both praised my Christianity as if it was a wonderful "tool". One said all religions, even paganism are equal to Christianity. For me the differences are very great, though they may seem only slightly noticeable to others. Would they say to a Muslim that Judaism is as good as Islam? It seems foolish to me that they would assume that they are experts in my religion because they studied sociological theories about religion. I can read about car mechanics all day, but until I work on several cars I won't even be a backyard mechanic & never a professional. From the beginning I let them (Separate individual Social Work visits) know I was strong in my beliefs & yet I feel that they hurt & diminished my beliefs; I feel attacked. They didn't ask me if I wanted to hear their opinions & whether it would help me. I want to have as long a discussion as it takes for them to present their views & me mine, but that won't happen, so I feel frustrated. Marx said religion was the opiate of the people, but the same thing could be said about his theories; psychology; exercise; massage or basket weaving. For me religion isn't a theory, a day at the spa, a picnic or something created by people. It is an historical account of God's dealings with humanity. It's the ultimate truth. I can't prove quantum physics or string theory are true, especially to someone who isn't great at math (Just an example-I'm bad at math). I can't prove that my religion is greater than any other to someone who has never even bothered to read the entire Bible or experience any religion. I believe my belief is of more importance than all the theories of all experts, because it involves my Creator & a potential eternal life in perfect health & total fulfillment. If I complain about these two they could turn around & say I'm a bad caregiver to my mom & recommend Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home. I'll probably mention it anyway to the SW that will return. Social workers are not always as sensitive to religious beliefs as they should be or think they are. I feel sorry that some of them just think of religion as an added amusement, stress buster or a false belief like Santa Clause was to the young girl in the movie "Miracle on 34th Street". I have enough stress with Mom questioning everything I do to make her healthy & safe and I don't want the Social workers adding insult to injury. My religion doesn't give me a free pass to avoid the suffering that dementia causes & I hurt in all possible ways as you do. However, when I'm alone & Mom is sleeping, I worship, communicate & feel comforted by God, not in a belief, but a being that loves us. My belief in Jesus Christ gives me a perspective that this harsh life is short & ending & that comforts me. The pain will soon be over. The next life will be long & wonderful. Have you had any similar experiences with Social Workers subtly devaluing your belief or God?
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In case my sarcasim was too subtle for you in my first post, let me say directly that I find it highly inappropriate and wrong-headed to generalize about large groups of people based on talking to a few of them. And that is true whether the group is dentists or caregivers or social workers or Muslims or Christians. You've had an experience you didn't like with a couple of social workers and now you are on a public forum telling us how social workers are trained to think about religion. Sorry. As you complain, those people are certainly not experts in your religion, but you are certainly NOT an expert on the training or thinking of all social workers.
NancyH has excellent advice for you. Take the great value the various professionals in your caregiving life have to offer. Don't expect them to also be on your wavelength in spiritual matters. Find that kind of communion elsewhere.
There are actually guidelines here re forum etiquette:
"Keep your comments and posts to matters that concern caregiving. Don't discuss controversial topics – such as religion or politics – that might anger other caregivers. Don't use personal attacks, profanity, threats or offensive language. Keep it friendly and helpful!"
... which you are violating.
There are many different religions in the world, and of course the believers in each one are convinced that they - and NOT the others - are onto the "Ultimate Truth", as you put it. But it's all faith with little evidence to support it. Therefore rational discussion is all but impossible and arguments are almost guaranteed. That's why the guidelines here are a good idea - even if they are mostly ignored.
You stated that, "I believe my belief is of more importance than all the theories of all experts...". You expect everyone you encounter to subordinate themselves to that? What if each of the 7 billion people on the planet had a "My belief is more important than everybody elses'" attitude?
Regardless, I think that you are in the wrong for attempting to impose your position on the social workers who are trying to do their jobs. You said, "I want to have as long a discussion as it takes..." with them, but clearly they can't allow every caregiver they encounter to preach endlessly. You said that, "I feel attacked", but by channeling the interaction into a discussion of your religious beliefs, it is you who's attacking.
IMO, if you lodge a complaint against them because you are offended over that, then, in a small way that does make you a bad caregiver. You are sabotaging the system by interfering with their job performance. That could affect both your mother and the other people they are trying to help.
Can you imagine if every one of their house calls turned out to be a Jehovah Witness encounter?
If you desire someone who is strongly Christian - even coming from a different religion will result with conflict. So, even a Christian social worker will NOT even Touch that subject! Therefore, if you want to discuss religion, I strongly suggest you go back to your church, speak to the one in charge to Recommend a Fellow Believer who is in the field of a Social Worker.
Not just on this site, but in every day life, one does NOT try to shove religious beliefs into people. Which is what Jeanne was pointing out - about the repairman, postman, etc...
Please approach your pastor, or reverend or father and ask for guidance. If you're unable to leave the home, you should be able to pick up the phone and call. These religious leaders are suppose to tend the sheep - you are of their sheep - so I don't see why you are unable to seek their help. Tell them that you are Spiritually Hungry and that you are seeking Spiritual Food! And if they don't respond, then, it's time to seek another religion that will Fill Your Spiritual Needs!!