Forum:

It is clear from the article (Musgrave, et al., 2002) that spirituality in general has
been shown to have a correlation with health. The question the article hopes to speak
about is the connection between spirituality and African-American and Hispanic women,
along with further defining spirituality. Musgrave, et al. (2002) utilizes a model by Levin,
which places religious involvement into three dimensions: organizational, non-
organizational and subjective religiosity. The article seems to be placing a focus on the
organizational. Musgrave, et al. (2002) discuss research which seems to suggest that
the effects of residing in a dilapidated neighborhood is completely offset for an elderly
individual if they are engaged in organizational religious involvement. This includes
organized prayer, religious readings and attending religious services.
Musgrave, et al. (2002) takes the discussion a step forward to action, calling
upon a public health response. Musgrave, et al (2002) strongly believe in the
importance of organized spirituality and the need for religion to promote positive
behaviors. It appears as though Musgrave, et al (2002) would like for organized
spirituality to be promoted as a public health measure. “Clients favor care provided in
the congregational setting over care received in a physician’s office or a hospital”
(Musgrave, et al., 2002).
All of this is very interesting, but unfortunately is very difficult to implement. The
health system has grown up on its own separate from religion for a long time. The dark
ages were a time where health practitioners were not supported by the Catholic Church,
thus leaving health related issues to priests. Nonetheless, there is something to be said
for the parish nursing, “[...] in which registered nurses promote health and healing within
the context of the values, beliefs, and practices of a faith community, is growing in
importance” (Musgrave, et al., 2002). It is clear that there is a possibility of molding both
spirituality and health, especially as the holistic approach to healing continues to grow.
There will be some who argue the separation of church and state if this concept is
furthered by the government, though under the Bush administration (and continued by
the Obama administration) there has been a focus on faith based initiatives to assist
with community issues. The positives of prayer, television ministries, religious services
and Bible reading have seen positive support in both the HIV/AIDS and Cancer
communities, in the African-American and Hispanic demographics, among others
(Musgrave, et al., 2002).
Though faith based initiatives relating to feeding the poor, educating individuals
on health related issues, literacy, etc. have been around for quite some time. The shift
from a divisive reality with religion gingerly stepping into the health related arena in a
more priority position may take some time.

References:

Musgrave, C.F., Allen, C.E. & G.J. Allen. (2002). Spirituality and Health for Women of
 Color. American Journal of Public Health. 92:4, 557-560

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Is there a difference between spirituality and religion?

There is a distinction between spirituality and religion. Spirituality is a less

tangible concept that involves reaching outside of oneself and believing in something
more (what this is is very individual). Religion usually refers to a codified set of beliefs
and practices that often has influence in the day to day due to moral teaching and
practices. One would hope that spirituality finds its way into religion, though from
experience, there are those who engage in religion (even with a fervor) who are not
doing so out of spirituality but duty. Often time spirituality requires duty, this is not a bad
thing, what I am discussing is when one goes through the motions of religion without
feeling anything. There are many times when one might go through the motions out of
duty or responsibility, but there are those who do not engage in religion on a regular
basis with head and heart in correlation with body.
Levin (1994) uses a model of spirituality that places it into three dimensions:
organizational, non-organizational and subjective religiosity. These three dimensions
help to show the differentiation between religion and spirituality, though there is most
definitely a connection. Levin (1994) believes that one must look at the actions of the
individual to understand, due to the elusive nature of spirituality. This is important from
a health perspective, because one wants the outcomes to be measurable, and
spirituality is difficult to measure. One has to find indicators that show spirituality, and
often times those indicators are directly related to religion.

References:

Levin, J.S. (1994). Religion and Health: is there an association, is it valid, and is it
causal? Social Science Medicine. 38, 1475-1482

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Your strong faith in health and spirituality is very rewarding. It is nice to see such
strong support. I agree that there is most definitely a connection, maybe a placebo
effect as you noted by the American Cancer Society (2008). I cannot directly argue with
Christianity, especially when you wrote: “If only a person can believe that healing comes
from G-d, the person can actually live a healthy life due to this immunity that has been
built through spirituality”. What I find to be true is that it is not so simple as a belief in an
almighty. There appear to be other factors such as a inclusion in a larger community,
belief in a moral framework, and a push within the community for preventative care.
Nonetheless, it is clear that there has been a positive relationship between religious
involvement and health shown through a number of indicators such as: self-ratings of
health, long-term well being and life satisfaction and psychological well-being
(Musgrave, et al., 2002).
 Dr. Harrington was beneficial when speaking about the psychological connection
in faith and healing. That there is a need to believe in something that can bring about
good health. This seems to be true as “Research data suggest that the effects of living
in dilapidated neighborhoods are completely offset for elderly persons who rely on
religious coping strategies”, though they are not the only ones, sheltered battered
women turn to faith, utilizing a variety of spiritual practices (Musgrave, et al., 2002).

References:

American Cancer Society. (2008). Faith Healing. Retrieved April 17, 2011,
from http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/
ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/MindBodyandSpirit/faith-healing
Musgrave, C.F., Allen, C.E. & G.J. Allen. (2002). Spirituality and Health for Women of
Color. American Journal of Public Health. 92:4, 557-560