| Religious Involvement, Faith-based Interventions and Practices
An exhaustive compilation and study of research on religion and health by Koenig, McCullough and Larson, document the new faith-medical paradigm which promotes the holistic approach of body-mind and spirit in healing. This compilation reviewed the impact of both religion and spirituality on health and healing. In the foreword, the following statement sums the impact of this new paradigm, “the body-mind revolution in biomedical science several decades ago radically transformed the clinical practice of medical education and research.” The volume, Handbook of Religion and Health, “reviews and discusses the extensive research on the relationship between religion and a variety of mental and physical health outcomes including depression, anxiety, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and immune system dysfunction, along with health destructive behaviors such as smoking, substance abuse and risky sexual activity.”[i] The authors examined (critiqued) 1200 separate research studies conducted over the past century (1900–2000), and their work is called ‘the most comprehensive book of its kind ever assembled’ . Effects of Religion on Health Of major importance to me was the documentation (in the Handbook of Religion and Health), of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of religion and spirituality in ameliorating symptoms related to mental health problems: emotional and psychological illness such as anxiety, depression and addictions, especially drug and alcohol abuse. REST has identified 12 pathological emotions, which cause a host of psychological, physical, psychosomatic, and relationship problems. These will be discussed in a later chapter. The authors of this meta-research are intellectually honest when they sound out several cautions. First, they are careful to use terms such as ‘religion’s effect on mental health’ and/or ‘influence on mental health’. Next, they are up front in stating that the positive research results which indicate that involvement in religion results in better mental health are drawn from “cross-sectional and prospective data.” However, “the number of interventions or experimental studies is as yet too few to conclude without doubt that religion causes better mental health.” This disclaimer flies in the face of the belief held by some health professionals that religion produces negative mental health results. “There is a sizable group of reputable health professionals who argue that religious beliefs and practices have either no effect or adverse effects on mental health and, in some instances, on physical health”. However, the major findings, conclusions and general observations of the majority of the 1200 religion related studies critiqued in the Handbook of Religion and Health would seem to dispute the belief that the overall effect of religion on health is negative or pathological. In fact the authors’ state, “In the majority of studies, religious involvement is correlated with: · Well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction · Hope and optimism · Purpose and meaning in life · Higher self-esteem · Adaptation to bereavement · Greater social support and less loneliness · Lower rates of depression and faster recovery from depression · Less anxiety · Less psychosis and fewer psychotic tendencies · Lower rates of alcohol and drug use or abuse · Less delinquency and criminal activity · Greater marital stability and satisfaction.” Religious and Spiritual Involvement Improves Mental, Emotional and Physical Health Another conclusion drawn by Koenig et al. from the compilation and analysis of faith based research studies reviewed in Handbook of Religion and Health is stated as follows: “Research has shown that medical patients have religious and spiritual needs that are intimately related to their physical health conditions and that religious beliefs and practices can often be important for emotional healing.” Dr. Dale Matthew, in the Faith Factor, presents a massive amount of research and case history documenting that being actively involved in church membership has positive health benefits (Seventh-day Adventist and Church of the Latter-day Saints). He cites cases of research showing that active involvement in these faith institutions, illustrates preventive health interventions in the prevention and treatment of certain cancers. According to research by the National Cancer Society both of these religious groups abstain from using alcohol and tobacco. According to Matthew, studies have identified that male Seventh-day Adventists live an average of nine years longer than men in the general population and female Seventh-day Adventists live an average of four years longer than women in the general population. Both sexes got half as many cancers and 59 percent less cardiovascular disease as their non-Adventist neighbors. He also cites statistics which show that both men and women who actively participate in church have significantly lower depression and anxiety rates than those who do not attend or who rarely attend. Women, who attend church more than once per month, significantly increase their chances of having lower depression and anxiety rates. “Youth”, says Matthew, “who are religiously involved are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.” He further documents in the Faith Factor that persons with religious involvement are much more likely to successfully cope with life crisis (aging, divorce, sickness, injury, disability, death) than non-church attendees. Faith Factor Remedies How does religion (the faith factor) promote health? Matthew lists twelve benefits or remedies of the ‘faith factor’. Remedy No. 1: Equanimity – Overcoming the wear and tear of life. Remedy No. 2: Temperance – Honoring the body as the temple of the Spirit. Remedy No. 3: Beauty – Appreciating Art and Nature. Remedy No. 4: Adoration – Worshiping with our whole Beings. Remedy No. 5: Renewal – Confessing and starting over. Remedy No. 6: Community – Bearing one another’s burdens. Remedy No. 7: Unity – Gaining strength through shared beliefs. Remedy No. 8: Ritual – Taking comfort in familiar activities. Remedy No. 9: Meaning – Finding a purpose in life. Remedy No. 10: Trust – Letting go and letting God. Remedy No. 11: Transcendence – Connecting with ultimate hope. Remedy No. 12: Love – Caring for and being cared for. It is Dr. Matthew’s belief that by including the faith factor in medical practice, (i.e. Prayer and Prozac) medicine will find its greatest successes. Dr. Matthew states that the neglect of religious values and practices in medical settings has serious implications for doctors, patients, and national health policies. Religious Involvement Verses Personal Faith and Belief In addition to contributions to the Handbook on Health and Religion, Dr. Koenig’s perspective on the impact of religion on health and well-being is well documented. He writes about the healing power of faith in his book The Healing Power of Faith. While other researchers have found a positive relationship between religious activity and religious involvement in church attendance, church participation, rituals, rites, liturgy and church doctrine related behaviors (eating, drinking, etc.) Koenig states that his clients have taught him that the real power in healing comes from ‘personal faith – their belief in God’. Is it then possible that healing faith and healing religion are two forms of faith-based healing? One form, institutional participation, produces healing based on what you do or do not do. The other form, faith belief, produces healing based on what you think or believe. Would it then be possible for spiritually based healing to be successfully practiced and maybe even taught by non-faith believers—persons who don’t really believe in God and/or do not participate in any faith institutions? Dr. Koenig, from a scientific perspective, envisions a new medical paradigm in which health professions use spiritually based tools in healing. Says Dr. Koenig, “I firmly believe that we are on the brink of a great new era in medicine, a time when health professionals will begin to help people regain control over their lives by providing them with the spiritual tools to maintain health and wellness, and thus enable them to take maximum advantage of the healing power that faith can give us all.” A New Faith (Religion)-Medical Paradigm This new paradigm centered in medicine is further supported by the growing practice of teaching ancient healing rituals currently associated with eastern religion, meditation and related rituals to western patients who have a variety of illnesses including hypertension, stress related disorders, anxiety related illnesses and even cancer. This movement is gaining momentum as each year additional medical schools are adding faith healing related courses to their medical curriculum. It is believed that medical and health professionals teaching and leading patients to practice scientifically supported faith-based healing techniques such as meditation and prayer could be extremely effective. According to Koenig, they would not represent a doctrinal interest but healing medical interest. Koenig writes, “Despite our differing individual faiths, we are scientists concerned with concrete data, not evangelists dealing with theological matters”. One of the many international foundations now involved in supporting research on religion and health, the John Templeton Foundation, states its purpose as follows: “The John Templeton Foundation seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the influence spirituality, beliefs and values have on human health. By promoting collaboration and clinical research into the relationship between spirituality and health and documenting the positive medical aspects of spiritual practice, the Foundation hopes to contribute to the reintegration of faith into modern life.” The Templeton Foundation also financially supports the movement for the development and expansion of “faith and medicine” curriculum in Medical schools. Research cited from "I Give You REST, An Introduction to Rational Emotive Spiritual Therapy" (to be published February 2005, Sahara Pub. Co) Dr. Rick McKinney.
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