Harold Koenig, author of several Templeton Press titles (most recently Medicine, Religion, and Health), was featured in the Irish Times for his work in the field of health and spirituality.
Prof Harold Koenig, professor of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina, asks “Can a spiritual life help us in the world: implications for mental health”.
He points out that religious belief can be both a hindrance and a help in patients with psychological problems. Those with psychosis may have religious delusions, while rigidly held beliefs can lead to unhealthy guilt in vulnerable people.
But religion can be helpful in assisting people cope with fear, loneliness and social isolation.
A major European study found a direct link between religious attendance and rates of depression.
Also making headlines recently was Everitt L. Worthington (author of The Power of Forgiving, Humility and other works) for his appearance in a magnificent looking new documentary called The Big Question: A Film About Forgiveness.
“Forgiveness seems to be necessary at every level and touch point of human interaction — for individuals, families, communities, at workplaces, in society,” says Everett L. Worthington, Ph.D., who is featured in the film. A leading expert on forgiveness research and a psychology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Worthington explains simply, “Everyone benefits from forgiveness”
