A report in The Archives Of Medicine reveals that patients with strong religious faith show decreased rates of depression and suicide. The report adds that religious people are also better equipped to handle disease emotionally and physically. And that they recover more speedily from illnesses than non-religious people. For instance, if you're suffering from hypertension you had better take a look at religion. The National Institute of Health in the U.S. studied 2,000 patients for six years to see if hypertension was affected by religion.
Religion appears to act as a shock-absorber against physical and mental disease.
Johns Hopkins Medical School now offers students an elective course in spirituality and healing. And the National Institute of Health has provided grants to several other medical schools to support religious courses. Dr. Fosarelli claims that doctors should take a patient's religious history to determine whether he or she finds support from religious beliefs. I don't deny that many patients find solace in religion. For the last 45 years, I've discussed nearly everything under the sun with my patients.