Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religion on Social Stability

Religion Matters

Patrick Fagan , in his article , Why Religion Matters : The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability , enumerated several positive effects of religion such as good health , personal happiness , stable family relationships and deterrence of juvenile delinquency . As I read through the article it became evident to me that the positive effects are due to the fact that religion makes better people . Better people make right choices that result to personal happiness , good health and stable family relationships . From the individual and family , the positive effect then translates into the

general society

Among the many positive effects of religion that Fagan enumerated , what I find most significant is religion 's effect on health . I am in awe of the fact that many people gets sick mainly because they had no religious commitment and not because they ate the wrong kind of food or did not exercise enough . Psychologists , therapists and doctors had claimed over and over gain that most people are sick because of depression , stress or anxiety . Depression , stress or anxiety is a result of man 's daily coping with the struggles and uncertainties of life . People without religion are more anxious , stressed and depressed because they do not have the comfort , guidance and hope of religion from which to rely upon They only draw strength from within themselves without even realizing or ignoring the fact that human strength alone cannot stand against life 's adversities . As I ponder on this truth , I began to wonder how many unreligious ' sick people in America today were confined in the hospitals for the prime reason that they did not practice religion . I reckon that there must be many of them for from what I know , fast-paced America is full of stressed people

At this point , I am reminded of a man I met in my friend 's house . He was my friend 's grandfather who came for a visit . He was an old strong man . One day I found him alone in the garden and when he saw me , he called me over to him . I was always curious about his age and now that I have the opportunity to ask I was surprised that he was turning 90 . He was old , for sure , but I never expected that he was that old . I always picture people that age lying sick in bed . Since I have always admired people who reached old age with grace , I ask him what his secret for long life was . I was prepared to hear a litany of eating the right kind of food , avoiding smoking and drinking , etc . But instead he pointed to a book beside him , it was a Bible . Moreover , I never forgot what he said that book keeps me healthy . He informed me that I do not have to search the world to find wisdom for right living , if I were diligent enough to read the Bible and practice what it says , there is a big possibility that I will live...