We may not always acknowledge it, but we survive only through formal and informal education to cope with the challenges of life. Because of cultural skepticism and fear of criticism toward religious education, I’d like to make a case for its importance.
One study aimed to determine the relationship between religious orientation and anxiety among college students. They screened more than 7,000 documents, and included more than 5,000 participants over multiple religions. The conclusion was: “Most of mental disorders that result from psychological distress and bitterness of life are observed among non-religious people… Religious obligations help people’s mental health.” Putting aside discussion of the many statistical aspects of the study, the essential benefit of religious education is that it fosters the positive emotion of hope.
People must balance their emotions in response to the good and evil in life, all affecting our psychological health. Many struggle to handle these emotions as we try to medicate, counsel and sedate our anxiety in various ways. The history of alcohol, then pot and then pills have resulted in abuse, suicides, addictions and failed families, even in Granby. We search for hope but hate, fear and anxiety seem so real, while love, joy and peace are so allusive.
Religion fosters a future hope combating the present fears. Some religions promote good intents and actions with the promised better “karma” or reincarnation for future hope. Islam and Judaism both emphasize righteous living according to each religion’s laws, plus repentance, forgiveness and devotion toward God. Christian hope is unique in that it is based on faith in the resurrection and sacrifice of God’s son. This results in eternal life with God.
However, our emphasis on a secular life and the dependence on science have minimized the various religious beliefs as a source of hope. This also has resulted in the lack of desire to search for answers, although culturally, many do believe in an afterlife. This belief is evidenced at funerals when folks say he or she “is in a better place.” However, the statement is typically with minimal content or belief of how to get there. Without some basis, we feel powerless to change things in our lives.
The solution to this emptiness is to seek an answer. No one said that faith was easy, but it does give one hope. Alcoholics Anonymous is a successful example that teaches to trust upon a higher power outside of ourselves for sobriety, mental health and hope. Many medical schools (including Harvard) also have courses in religion to help with mental health issues. The desire for security and joy can come from an informed hope. This is the goal of Bible studies. The community and discussion can develop the basis for a positive hope from the Bible, countering the anxiety in the challenges of life.