Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Frank D. Fincham
Summary: While religious beliefs emphasize divine forgiveness, scientific research on this topic is lacking. This article aims to provide a roadmap for future research on divine forgiveness by reviewing existing studies, analyzing the construct of divine forgiveness, and outlining potential areas for investigation, such as the perception and experience of divine forgiveness, the role of one's mental representation of God and their relationship with God, and the relationships between different types of forgiveness. The article also discusses approaches to developing a reliable measure of divine forgiveness and concludes with a summary of key issues.
PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Aaron T. McLaughlin, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Kelly Teahan, Don E. Davis, Kenneth G. Rice, C. Nathan DeWall
Summary: Identifying as nonreligious is becoming more common in the United States. This research examined the differences in motivations and characteristics between those who have never been religious and those who have deidentified from religion. The findings revealed two distinct profiles of religious dones with differences in behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes.
PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
(2022)
Article
Religion
Roman Kralik, Marie Roubalova, Lubomir Hlad, Viliam Judak, Amantius Akimjak
Summary: The Rabbinic Judaism emphasizes caring for the socially weak and uses God's commands to protect and help them, showing compassion for every living creature.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christopher H. Rosik, G. Tyler Lefevor, James S. McGraw, A. Lee Beckstead
Summary: The results of the study showed that religious activity moderated the impact of internalized homonegativity on depression among sexual minorities. This finding is important for understanding conservatively religious sexual minorities and guiding culturally sensitive research, clinical services, and public policy.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Religion
Benjamin Harrison
ECCLESIASTICAL LAW JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Sam A. Hardy, Jenae M. Nelson, Summer B. Frandsen, Amber R. Cazzell, Michael A. Goodman
Summary: The purpose of this study was to develop a short and valid measure of religious motivation based on self-determination theory and demonstrate its impact on youth outcomes. Findings showed that identified religious motivation positively predicted adaptive outcomes and negatively predicted maladaptive outcomes, while external religious motivation had the opposite effect. Introjected religious motivation was not a strong predictor of outcomes. Additionally, identified religious motivation often remained predictive of outcomes even when controlling for religious involvement. Moreover, there was an interaction between identified religious motivation and religious involvement in predicting youth outcomes, indicating that higher identified religious motivation strengthened the links between religious involvement and outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION
(2022)
Article
Political Science
Christian Lamour
Summary: The research analyzes Viktor Orban's speeches on Christianity and finds that it plays a crucial role in shaping his radical right discourse by forming antagonistic narratives, grounding ideological pillars, and organizing a hegemonic struggle against the dominant political force in Europe.
POLITICS AND RELIGION
(2022)
Article
Sociology
Erin F. Johnston, David E. Eagle, Jennifer Headley, Anna Holleman
Summary: The impact of COVID-19 on pastors and congregations is complex and not fully captured by survey research. This study provides a detailed look at how pastors and congregations experienced and responded to COVID-19, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it brought, as well as the ways in which clergy have adapted their ministry in the context of the pandemic.
REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Samuel J. Skidmore, G. Tyler Lefevor, Rachel M. Golightly, Eric R. Larsen
Summary: Sexual minorities experience unique stressors due to their minority status, which can lead to adverse mental health outcomes. This study explores how a sense of belongingness in a religious community and in sexual minority communities relates to suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that belongingness in a religious community is associated with lower suicidal ideation and can moderate the effects of certain stressors.
PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
(2023)
Article
Religion
Patrik Maturkanic, Ivana Tomanova Cergetova, Peter Majda, Vladimir Thurzo, Peter Kondrla
Summary: This study aims to compare the perception differences of Jesus Christ between the inhabitants of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and to explore the influence of this figure on the values and morals of people in Central Europe. The research results indicate significant differences in the perception of Jesus Christ and its significance between the two countries' inhabitants, potentially due to their connection to the church and tradition.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rocio de Diego-Cordero, Amanda Avila-Mantilla, Juan Vega-Escano, Giancarlo Lucchetti, Barbara Badanta
Summary: This integrative review of studies indicates that spirituality plays a significant role in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Including spirituality in clinical practice is beneficial for both healthcare professionals and patients, as it promotes mental health, well-being, and patient satisfaction. Addressing spiritual needs reduces stress, anxiety, and depression among patients, while increasing resilience and hope.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manuel Litalien, Dominic Odwa Atari, Ikemdinachi Obasi
Summary: This paper systematically reviewed existing literature on the relationship between spirituality and health in Canada, finding that religion and spirituality do influence health behaviours and well-being. However, more gender-based studies are needed to reveal differences in religion/spirituality and health across different genders and ethnic groups in Canada.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ephraim Shapiro
Summary: This paper reviews literature on religious capital and social capital, exploring their relationship with health. By expanding and integrating these theoretical elements, a better understanding of the relationship between religion and health can be achieved, leading to policy implications and further research in the field.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Religion
Benjamin Grant Purzycki, Aiyana K. Willard, Eva Kundtova Klocova, Coren Apicella, Quentin Atkinson, Alexander Bolyanatz, Emma Cohen, Carla Handley, Joseph Henrich, Martin Lang, Carolyn Lesorogol, Sarah Mathew, Rita A. McNamara, Cristina Moya, Ara Norenzayan, Caitlyn Placek, Montserrat Soler, Tom Vardy, Jonathan Weigel, Dimitris Xygalatas, Cody T. Ross
Summary: There is a cognitive bias towards attributing moral concern to anthropomorphic agents, and this bias may contribute to cooperative behavior motivated by the representation of powerful deities. Through data analysis from different field sites, it is found that people tend to believe that local deities care about punishing theft, murder, and deceit, even after controlling for explicitly moralistic deities. This finding suggests that the moralization bias of gods' minds is a widespread but variable religious phenotype that may play a role in the association between religion and cooperation.
RELIGION BRAIN & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Radoslaw Trepanowski, Dariusz Drazkowski
Summary: This study examined the effects of religiosity on COVID-19 vaccination rates through a cross-national comparison. The results showed a negative relationship between Christianity and vaccination rates, while there was no significant relation with other religions or nonbelief. Factors such as the importance of religion, cultural factors, and freedom of expression and belief were not related to vaccination rates, but the Human Development Index was. The study also described the influence of different religions on vaccination rates.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Laura E. Captari, Richard G. Cowden, Steven J. Sandage, Edward B. Davis, Andrea Ortega Bechara, Shaun Joynt, Victor Counted
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to religious/spiritual struggles, especially in the Global South. Positive religious coping and state hope are important resources for supporting mental health, particularly for those living in low- and middle-income countries.
PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Annette Mahoney, Serena Wong, Julie M. Pomerleau, Kenneth I. Pargament
Summary: The study found that sanctification is significantly related to psychosocial functioning, with higher levels of sanctification associated with better positive adjustment and less negative functioning. Sanctification of close interpersonal relationships has a greater impact on positive adjustment.
PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephanie Harris, Hong Tao
Summary: This study examines the impact of nurses' personal religious and spiritual beliefs on their mental well-being and burnout. The analysis reveals a model in which religion/spirituality positively affects mental well-being, leading to lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and higher personal accomplishment.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Atieh Okhli, Hamid Hojjati, Adeleh Sadeghloo, Ameneh Molaei, Saemeh Shahrabady
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between observing religious beliefs and suffering in hemodialysis patients. The findings showed a significant difference between observing religious beliefs and a decrease in patients' suffering.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Arndt Buessing, Klaus Baumann, Janusz Surzykiewicz
Summary: A survey conducted in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that trust in a Higher Source, as well as the practice of praying and meditation, decreased during the second wave of infections and lockdown. The increased stress related to the virus was associated with a decline in overall well-being and a loss of faith. These changes were observed in both Catholics and Protestants, as well as in younger and older individuals. The prolonged periods of insecurity and social isolation, without the usual support from religious communities, may have also challenged the coping abilities of religious/spiritual individuals.
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
(2022)
