Is religion good for you?

Critics of religion often claim that religious beliefs are harmful to individuals and dangerous to society.

Some have even suggested religion is tantamount to mental illness!

Yet after surveying the wealth of medical studies examining the impact of religion, psychologist Andrew Sims wrote: ‘When looking at the overall effects of religious belief and practice on whole populations, there is substantial evidence that religion is highly beneficial for all areas of health, and especially mental health.’

He went on to say, ‘It is extraordinary and tragic that the findings of this large body of research…are not better known. If it were anything other than religious belief or spirituality resulting in such beneficial outcomes for health, the media would trumpet it and governments and health care organisations would be rushing to implement in practice’