Graphic: Percentage of Fewer Reported Mental Health Issues for Those Who Strongly Believe That:Source: Baylor University Department of Sociology

Although we’ve known each other for over 30 years, I can count on half-a-hand the number of times my best friend and I have discussed religion. Ask me to describe his interest in spiritual matters on a scale of 1 to 10 and I’d have to say I don’t really know.

Maybe the best word to describe him is “apatheist,” a term coined by blogger Hemant Mehta, better known as “The Friendly Atheist.”

Apatheists or “So Whats,” to borrow a phrase from USA Today religion writer, Cathy Lynn Grossman, aren’t necessarily people who don’t believe in God. They’re just not particularly interested in exploring the subject further.

Many reasons are given as to why, but the bottom line is that a lot folks are simply giving up on the search for ultimate meaning. Forty-four percent of those who participated in a recent Baylor University Religion Survey said they spend no time seeking “eternal wisdom.” Nineteen percent said, “It’s useless to search for meaning.”

That's too bad, especially since there’s so much evidence to the contrary from people who have found that meaning and purpose and spiritual inspiration actually animates and empowers their life. But acknowledging this spiritual dimension does even more. It has a positive effect on health.

Just ask medical researcher, Gail Ironson.

Dr. Ironson conducted a study to determine the relationship between spiritual consciousness and the progression of AIDS. She looked at two key factors: viral load, which lets you know how much of the virus is in your body, and immune cells, which work to fend off the AIDS virus. Over a four-year period she noticed that those who were actively cultivating a spiritual outlook had a much lower viral load and maintained immune cells at a noticeably higher rate than those who consciously disavowed such activity.

As promising as this sounds, it may not be enough to get the spiritually apathetic to change course. For some, perhaps even most, it’s going to take a fundamentally different perspective on the underlying concepts of God and religion — a sort of cost-benefit analysis, if you will.

What might inspire such a shift in perspective depends, of course, on the individual involved. Regardless, it’s likely that more could be done on the part of those already engaged in spiritual pursuits in terms of sharing with others the benefits of their quest.

Not the least of which is better health.

Eric NelsonEric Nelson is the media and legislative spokesperson for Christian Science in Northern California. He also works as a Christian Science practitioner, helping those interested in relying solely on the power of prayer for healing.


Share Your Reflection



the "science" of the power of positive thinking is dubious at best, for a good lay analysis see:

Yes, there was a scientist who put the Bible to the test simply as a theory, from a scientific perspective and the results found that it worked. So it is scientifically proven that it works. Haha.

I appreciate the Baylor survey. The only way to broaden perspective and truly enrich conversations is to include the data and thoughts of those whose beliefs may differ from ours. The point of these blog posts and programs is NOT to disseminate information to be digested in totality but to encourage independent thought and meaningful dialog.
As always, On Being delivers.  Thank you!





I have no doubt that differences were noted between two populations in this study. However, I would suggest that variables really being studied would be more accurately described as hope/optimism versus fatalism/despair. The word "spiritual" used in conjunction with studies conducted by religious institutions typically implies a much more constricted belief system, than is necessary to make a difference in one's own health. Beyond that, when those who have very strong belief systems or describe themselves as deeply spiritual, don't survive, and everyone, regardless of the presence or absence of what would be described in studies such as this, is going to die eventually, how is that explained? Not enough faith/spirituallity, or not strong enough, or the wrong kind? Many will die peacefully, many will not, but their belief system will not keep them from their eventual death. To me, the ultimate, truest, purest belief in a power that has the ability and desire to protect one, and intervene for one's well-being, would be evidenced by total avoidance of any earthly medical intervention.

Just a point of clarification: the study referenced in the second part of my article – the one about AIDS – was not conducted by a religious institution but by a researcher at the University of Florida.

the science of positive thinking in healthcare is highly contested and people should really read
Barbara Ehrenreich's Bright-sided.

Faith is a choice. We choose what to believe and what not. I think it affects the way we make our own perspectives and our lives in general, and health is a part of it. I don't think we are oblige to change our beliefs we just have to respect others' no matter how different it is to our's. It's just a matter or being optimistic. Thanks for sharing.