Religion and health
Dr. Hildemar Dos Santos
Health and religion have been together and apart for centuries. Even when I finished my medical course, 40 years ago, there was a concept that religion was one of the causes of mental disease. However, things have changed in the last 20 years. Science has discovered that religion, and in many cases, just church attendance is connected with better mental and physical health.
On September 20, 2018, we had a seminar in Loma Linda about the topic by the most famous expert in the field, Dr. Harold Koenig, from Duke University. Dr. Koenig, a medical doctor specialized in psychiatry, highlighted the importance of assessing spirituality in patients, described the connections between spirituality and health and presented several ideas for research in the field. By the way, the doctor is author of more than 500 medical articles and 50 books in the field of spirituality and health.
For most of the mental health issues such as depression, suicide, anxiety, stress, religion is protective. And Dr. Koenig was not talking about spirituality only, but religion and religion variables such as church attendance, prayer and meditation, church community, and others. There are several mechanisms for the connection, including social support, optimism, positive thinking and purpose in life.
Regarding behavioral health, religion is also protective against drug use and drug initiation, alcohol, and smoking. Also, religion is also very important in the recovery of addictions. Children from religion families are less likely to be involved in risky behaviors, especially with drugs.
In terms of physical health, religion is related to lower risk of several diseases including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and others. The only factor that religious people were at a disadvantage was related to overweight and obesity.
Therefore, being religious or belonging to a religious group is protective of health in general. This is good news for us Christians, even though these are not too new. Since Christ came to this earth, religion and health have been together. In the bible, there are several verses and messages that connect spirituality and health.
The final message is that if religion and spirituality are that good, on the other hand they are free. I mean that they are available to anyone who is willing to get the benefits of it. Many things in health today are dependent on prescriptions and access to medical care. In this case, there are no barriers; the only one is set by the person alone. Therefore, I would say, put more religion in your life!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
Dr. Hildemar Dos Santos
Health and religion have been together and apart for centuries. Even when I finished my medical course, 40 years ago, there was a concept that religion was one of the causes of mental disease. However, things have changed in the last 20 years. Science has discovered that religion, and in many cases, just church attendance is connected with better mental and physical health.
On September 20, 2018, we had a seminar in Loma Linda about the topic by the most famous expert in the field, Dr. Harold Koenig, from Duke University. Dr. Koenig, a medical doctor specialized in psychiatry, highlighted the importance of assessing spirituality in patients, described the connections between spirituality and health and presented several ideas for research in the field. By the way, the doctor is author of more than 500 medical articles and 50 books in the field of spirituality and health.
For most of the mental health issues such as depression, suicide, anxiety, stress, religion is protective. And Dr. Koenig was not talking about spirituality only, but religion and religion variables such as church attendance, prayer and meditation, church community, and others. There are several mechanisms for the connection, including social support, optimism, positive thinking and purpose in life.
Regarding behavioral health, religion is also protective against drug use and drug initiation, alcohol, and smoking. Also, religion is also very important in the recovery of addictions. Children from religion families are less likely to be involved in risky behaviors, especially with drugs.
In terms of physical health, religion is related to lower risk of several diseases including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and others. The only factor that religious people were at a disadvantage was related to overweight and obesity.
Therefore, being religious or belonging to a religious group is protective of health in general. This is good news for us Christians, even though these are not too new. Since Christ came to this earth, religion and health have been together. In the bible, there are several verses and messages that connect spirituality and health.
The final message is that if religion and spirituality are that good, on the other hand they are free. I mean that they are available to anyone who is willing to get the benefits of it. Many things in health today are dependent on prescriptions and access to medical care. In this case, there are no barriers; the only one is set by the person alone. Therefore, I would say, put more religion in your life!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1