Religion and spirituality in contemporary health systems
Historically, religious institutions and healthcare systems have been inseparable, but they are often segregated in contemporary (post-)secular societies. A growing body of high-quality evidence from quantitative epidemiological studies during the last decade shows robust health benefits from religi...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2023
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| In: |
Theology
Year: 2023, Volume: 126, Issue: 5, Pages: 343-349 |
| IxTheo Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history KBE Northern Europe; Scandinavia NCH Medical ethics RG Pastoral care |
| Further subjects: | B
Spirituality
B Secular B post-secular religion B Spiritual care B Existential B Christianity |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Historically, religious institutions and healthcare systems have been inseparable, but they are often segregated in contemporary (post-)secular societies. A growing body of high-quality evidence from quantitative epidemiological studies during the last decade shows robust health benefits from religious and spiritual practices or conditions such as regularly attending religious services or having a sense of meaning and purpose. The potential public health implications of this evidence are a delicate matter. One might argue that, given the current evidence, it is unethical not to support citizens’ search for meaning and purpose on a structural level – irrespective of whether that search is related to the transcendent or not. While it is not feasible to ‘prescribe religion’ to improve health, current religious and spiritual institutions might be essential in providing a contemporary and relevant space for existential, spiritual and religious contemplation in secular cultures. But how can that be attained? Starting from international research on religion, spirituality and health, this article discusses potential implications for public health in relation to religious institutions in a secular culture. If faith is protective and healthy for us, is there a way in modern-day society to take advantage of the effect of religious and spiritual communities and practice to increase public health, despite the structural and ethical challenges provided in a (post-)secular country such as Denmark? |
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| ISSN: | 2044-2696 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Theology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0040571X231194978 |