Cultural Diversity- Influence of Religion in Healing

Scientific studies have suggested that people who regularly participate in spiritual worship and related activities are healthier and have greater healing capabilities. These individuals strongly feel that spirituality is a source of comfort and strength. Numerous studies have demonstrated positive correlations between religiosity and a decrease in rates of morbidity and mortality (Udermann, 2000). Religion offers a uniquely powerful means to influence reasoning, emotion, and behaviour. All religions require the followers to have faith and believe in the power of the deity to act benevolently, including healing the believer. Faith in a higher power or being has been reported to benefit health and promote healing as it aids individuals in avoiding unhealthy habits and behaviours like smoking and alcoholism.

Religious practices like faith and prayer are alternative and complementary therapies in healing in an era when Western medical care is seen as the solution to a majority of diseases. However, faith healing is seen to be effective in medical health care (Peprah et al., 2018). Faith healers are individuals who believe in healing power through contact with the spirit world and are ordained by God. Religious views and approaches to health integrate psychological, physical, spiritual, and social aspects of the human experience.

Spiritual practices have been proven to contribute substantially to mental and physical health. Spiritual meditation helps lessen anxiety and depression, promote self-confidence, self-esteem, and happiness, and increase longevity. Involvement in spiritual activities is also associated with greater hope and a sense of purpose in life. Overall, spiritual individuals have been reported to have increased resistance to illnesses, better stress-coping skills, and recover more quickly. They also experience greater life satisfaction, positive affect, familial and marital happiness, morale, and general well-being.

References

Maton, K. & Wells, E. (1995). Religion as a community resource for well-being: prevention, healing and empowerment pathways. Journal of Social Issues 51(2), 177-193