Healing & Religion:
Although people in modern Western nations typically regard healing as a subject of medical science, it has traditionally played an important role in religion and religious experiences throughout the world. It has been common, for example, for religions to be the sole source of physical, mental, emotional, and psychological healing for adherents.
Disease & Religion:
The connection between religion and healing may be difficult to perceive, but it does exist. Although religion isn’t able to deliver the resources of modern medical science, it is able to alter the way people perceive and process their experiences. This, in turn, can alter the course of a disease because of the significant influence our attitudes can have on our physical well-being. In traditional religious systems, it’s normal to attribute physical improvement to the supernatural action.
Healing & Social Order:
Religious healings typically occur in a very ritualistic manner — indeed, it is likely that the rituals are a significant aspect of the healing power of religion. Ritual healings are more than just personal, however. Ritual healings also serve to heal social disorders and communal problems. Quite often, ritual healings occur with the full participation of the community because it is the relationship of the individual to the whole which requires the most repair.
