According to the Pew Research Center, the number of atheists in the U.S. increased from 1.6 percent to 3.1 percent from 2007 to 2014. Though the percentage is small, it shows more and more people are turning away from religion. Some may consider it to be rightfully so considering the monstrosities occurring in the world that “no good God” would allow.
Once-respected celebrities are being outed for their sexual misconducts. School shootings are happening more and more regularly. It’s no wonder people are considering abandoning their religion. However, religion and spirituality in this time may be the best thing for people to maintain a good sense of well-being.
Seeing tragedies striking daily on the news contributes to people losing their sense of hope. Many start to feel there is no purpose, causing people to engage in negative activity. Religion and spirituality can help steer people away from negativity and guide them towards healthier choices. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, religiosity can help reduce alcoholism and drug use.
Religion and spirituality can not only help us deal with great problems of the world, but with personal problems as well. Psychiatrist William Breitbart conducted a study where patients with advanced or terminal cancer were given “meaning-centered group psychotherapy” instead of “supportive group psychotherapy” resulted in improvement of spiritual well-being in the first group, as well as a significant decrease in depression, hopelessness and desire for hastened death.
If these results can occur with those who have cancer, one of the greatest health fears, then it can certainly help with coping with other ailments.
Some may say living a positive life is just a direct result of positive thinking and not due to religion. However, according to an article from Psychology Today, religion is a main source of hope and optimism. Some speak badly of religion, saying the results are minuscule. If so many people are satisfied with the results, there must be some purpose in it all.
None of this is to say we must force religion on people. Thankfully, the U.S. allows us the freedom to choose what we believe in. We must allow those around us to find what works for them best, and leave them to live peacefully with those choices.
Bad things will always happen, even to good people. Rather than blaming the world, the healthiest thing to do is to find some sort of religious or spiritual outlet. When it seems like there’s nothing, the best thing to do is believe in something.
Chantelle Baker is a 21-year-old communication studies senior from Waipahu, Hawaii.
