UNDERSTANDING RELIGION/BELIEF AND MEDICINE

Understanding Religion/Belief and Medicine by Dr. Nnamdi Elenwoke

Health is no longer defined as the well being of only the human body and mind. With the development of the fields of alternative medicine and scientific research, health specialists found that the human health is influenced by many other things including their own believes and spirituality. Of course, science contradicts and conflicts with religion and beliefs most of the time. But, we should not forget that spirituality, being a part of human health, should be given an important place when handling a sick person or helping one.

In many societies there is discrepancy between the role of religion and medicine in the treatment of diseases. Religious leaders should recognise the importance of modern medicine in the development of the society. When the cost of medical attention is high or inaccessible, humans resolve to alternatives which includes religious institutions or traditional medicine.

If you characterize a person, you will notice that a person’s thoughts, actions and sometimes even some reflexes are influenced by his beliefs, background, and religion. Also, it is well noticed that a healthy person has a healthy spiritual life most of the time. It does not matter how much these things oppose the theories and laws of science because at the end of the day people believe that there are powers that are beyond any science the human kind knows.

According to scientists and religious leaders, a healthy spiritual life and any kind of a religion teach people to handle stress, to cope with life’s worst situations, how to be happy and sometimes even they
teach how to eat and drink in a healthy way. The lifestyles people live are also based on the religions they follow. Therefore, it is sometimes essential to heal the spiritual life when healing a disease.

Modern medicine gives a better place to patients’ beliefs and thoughts. That is why the doctors in the clinical setting are now trained in a way that they can understand and connect with any patient regardless of their origin, nativity and religion. A well-trained doctor will always have time to listen and also will offer time to the patient to hint about his spiritual life. This is necessary because at times a small mentioning of the religion of a patient can provide the doctor with a whole lot of information about this patient’s habits, lifestyle and daily activities. Moreover, a smart physician will also use these habits to correct the unhealthy lifestyles of these patients.

As science is not only based on theory but also on its practical use. The contradictory religious beliefs can be used in a healthy scientific way for the betterment of the humans and to improve the overall health of people in this world.