A Gallup poll recently indicated that religious Americans enjoy a higher level of well-being than those who consider themselves to be moderately religious or nonreligious. Although precise reasons for why this might be are not given, a few interpretations are offered:
a.)Religion generally involves more meditative states and faith in a higher power, both of which have been widely used as methods to lower stress, reduce depression, and promote happiness; b.) Religion provides mechanisms for coping with setbacks and life's problems, which in turn may reduce stress, worry, and anger; and c.) Many religions, including Christianity, which is by far the dominant religion in the U.S., embody tenets of positive relationships with one's neighbors and charitable acts, which may lead to a more positive mental outlook.
This poll appears to support the notion that strong religious belief helps to move a person to health and well-being. The assumption that I will make here is that “very religious” people (Christians at least) follow life according to the original blueprint, which is Christ.
I believe that this poll falls short in trying to explain why religious Americans are mentally healthier than unbelievers. I think back to a few weeks ago in class on the discussion of four primary tenets of existentialism: a.) man is alone; b.) the world is absurd and has no meaning; c.) freedom to think whatever you want; and d.) death is inevitable. I believe that when a “non-religious” person, or someone who is apart from God, carefully considers the meaning of life in this world they would almost inevitably end up at these hopeless conclusions. I know that apart from the purpose and comfort that I derive from my Christian faith, I would be full of angst and hopelessness at the prospect of my isolated, meaningless life, and of my inescapable death.
How does your faith contribute towards your mental and emotional health? Or does it?
Its encouraging to see some empirical data showing that those who have strong faith have a "higher-level" of well being than those with no faith at all. I have heard from many atheists that they find it "freeing" to not have to answer to a higher power, but I wonder how free they really feel when they lay awake at night and contemplate the "meaning of it all"... what hope is there for them to survive this horrible world we live in if there is nothing at the end of it? How do they find strength to carry on when even the people they love fail them, and they inevitably even fail themselves? I know from a personal standpoint that I would not still be alive were it not for the grace I've found through Jesus Christ to carry on. I feel that I am only truly free to live through Him. I hope that more and more people will realize the true freedom they can experience through knowing Jesus.
ReplyDeleteEven the military has begun to see the benefits of religion to a person's overall health. The army is attempting to implement a program called "spiritual resiliency," aimed at promoting spiritual well-being so as to help soldiers prepare themselves for the trauma of combat. The problam with their approach is that it is entirely too pluralistic. They believe that any spiritual belief will promote holistic healing, and the encourage acceptance of the various tenets of these beliefs. Eventually a false belief system will break down. Only through Christ can we achieve true "holistic" healing. Jesus gives us meaning and purpose in existence, and it is Jesus who gives us true life.
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