Customer Reviews

Is Religion Good for Your Health?: The Effects of Religion on Physical and Mental Health (Haworth Religion and Mental Health)

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The research is surprising. What we mental health professionals have been presuming for all these years seems false! Religion, according to this author, does appear to have benefits. I'd like to read more about this area.

Working in the Health Care field, I try to help individuals cope with chronic health conditions as well as empower them to live life to the fullest. This book provides an excellent bird's eye view of how we all use different methods to help us cope and live high quality lives. For too long the healthcare field has not paid enough attention to a person's spirit. If you are unhappy, it affects your ability to care for yourself physically. A healthy spirit can make a large difference in your self care abilities.

Koenig's book has the rare quality of being both readable and scientific. He presents credible data showing how religion benefits people's mental and physical health. This approach is quite unlike the anti-scientific rant of anti-religious treatises like Wendell Watters' book Deadly Doctrine, which relies mainly on anecdotal evidence, personal bias, and theoretical speculation. Instead, Koenig uses controlled studies to prove his points. I'd give him a few extra brownie points for managing to show a Christian attitude to people like Watters, whom I find maddening.

This book, "Is Religion Good for Your Health?" was the most influential and enjoyable book that I read during my undergrad years at college. I myself am very spiritual while being very interested in knowing "scientific facts." This is a quick read that packs a punch. And the general answer is yes, religion is good for your health. It is an answer that I have known for years, but it is nice to have this book to back up the claim.