A study found that religious people had lower blood pressure, depression and anxiety levels, stronger immune systems and generally spent less on medicines than people who did not believe in the existence of God and were not much involved in religious activities in temples,
 writes Shirish Joshi

THE notion that religious faith can promote physical well-being is not new. Most of us have heard of cases in which someone, seemingly by sheer faith and will, has miraculously recovered from a terminal illness or survived far longer than doctors thought possible. What is new is that such rewards of religion are becoming the subject of study by scientists.

Regular attendance at religious services in temples has been shown to decrease death rates among old people. While temple worshippers would say they are expecting eternal life, science has demonstrated that they seem to be extending their stay on Earth.

A large study found that religious folk had lower blood pressure, less depression and anxiety, stronger immune systems and generally spent less money on medicines than people who did not believe in the existence of God and were less involved in religious activities in temples.

The research looked at 4,000 old people, and found that of the 1,177 who died during a six-year period, 22.9 per cent were frequent temple visitors compared with 37.4 per cent who were infrequent visitors.

Similar results were produced by another study of some 5,000 people between the ages of 21 and 65. Those who attended temples at least once a week had a 23 per cent lower risk of dying over the 28 years on which the research was based.

The doctor who carried out the study said, "Participating in religious services is associated with significant health benefits in elderly people, even when you take into account the fact the religious people tend to start out with better health practices and more social support."

Those closely involved in activities at temples are likely to have a larger social network, and hence more social support. In addition, lower levels of depression are known to have a wider health benefit. Religion provides a coping mechanism for stressful events or physical illness. Devout worshippers are far less likely to fall back on harmful habits such as drinking or smoking.

Medical experts believe that repeating a prayer (japa) can lower the heart rate, breathing rate, and brain wave activity. The healing touch of prayer can even cure an ailment that requires surgery.

Scientific studies demonstrate that, by repeating prayers, words or sounds and passively disregarding other thoughts, many people are able to bring a specific set of physiological changes.

As per a study, 80 per cent of the patients, when given the choice of a word sound or a prayer to repeat, chose prayer. Among the words patients chose to repeat was the oft-used mantra or chant Om According to the Health Education Authority (HEA) of the UK, faith in God can ward off mental illness. Religious and spiritual beliefs can play a significant role in protecting people from mental health problems.

Scientists cannot prove that God heals, but they can now prove that belief in God has a beneficial effect. There’s little doubt that healthy religious faith and practices can help people get better.

Why does faith in God appear to have such a powerful protective effect? Experts offer several possible explanations. Faith gives a sense of hope that counteracts stress. Hope is known to be one of the best medicines.

As a result of many studies, which say that prayer can help people feel better and live longer, many medical schools in the USA are offering courses in spirituality, religion and health.

But a few medical researchers feel that it would be probably premature to prescribe prayer for ailment.

According to Dr Richard Sloan of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, USA, there is no evidence of "a solid link between religious activity and health. Doctors should not prescribe religion as a cure''.

Our forefathers were very wise in building temples a little away from villages and towns or on hilltops or on riverbanks. A visit to such a temple gave people the much-needed exercise. Many of them visited temples in groups as a part of evening or morning walk.

This, in turn, built social contacts and gave them an opportunity for exchange of thoughts.