There is high quality evidence that shows religious activity has positive mental health outcomes.
"While some articles made comparison between non-religious and religious individuals, the majority of outcomes revealed significant relationship between religion and mental health, specifically depression and anxiety symptoms, and substances abuse and suicide behavior and idea, which indicates that religious and spiritual can serve as effective psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, suicide, substance abuse, and mental health." - AbdAleati et al 2016 (systematic review).
This is the paper's conclusion:
"This finding indicates that religious practices and improved sense of religiousness could be used as a therapy to overcome or minimize anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and depression among patients. It appears that some religious elements may serve as protective factors for physical and mental health."
If you want an open-access paper you can read there's this one from 2006 by Moreira-Almeida et al (also a systematic review) and this meta analysis from 2003 by Hackney & Sanders.
"While some articles made comparison between non-religious and religious individuals, the majority of outcomes revealed significant relationship between religion and mental health, specifically depression and anxiety symptoms, and substances abuse and suicide behavior and idea, which indicates that religious and spiritual can serve as effective psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, suicide, substance abuse, and mental health." - AbdAleati et al 2016 (systematic review).
This is the paper's conclusion:
"This finding indicates that religious practices and improved sense of religiousness could be used as a therapy to overcome or minimize anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and depression among patients. It appears that some religious elements may serve as protective factors for physical and mental health."
If you want an open-access paper you can read there's this one from 2006 by Moreira-Almeida et al (also a systematic review) and this meta analysis from 2003 by Hackney & Sanders.
For Religion & Health see:[/b][/size] Williams & Sternthal. (2007). Spirituality, religion and health: Evidence and research directions. Med. J. Aust., 186(10), S47-S50. -LINK
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke
