It is a neutral phrase, not linked with any one religion, sect or church. It is not limited to the theological disciplines. Although enhancing the SWB of adherents is a goal of most religions, SWB is not a synonym for religion. Devoting a major section of the WHCA to it helped to satisfy many demands of the religious sector without incurring the risks of serious political and legal challenges. Yet the first National Conference on Aging in 1950 listed eight spiritual needs of aging people, and the 1961 WHCA included a Committee on Religion.
Religion has meaning for all of human existence from the moment of birth to the moment of death.
Both were influential gerontologists and undoubtedly aware of the past WHCA ventures into religion. They also may have noticed early signs of an awakening interest in the spiritual domain of humanity in their professions. There may be as many implicit definitions of SWB as the religious and theological schools of thought that have used the concept, or perhaps even as many as the persons who have seriously uttered it. David O. Moberg, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus, Marquette University. He is author of numerous books and articles in this field.