Articles tagged with Catholicism
A new study from Rice University reveals that religious and nonreligious organizations in the US have a comparable impact on immigrants' ability to acclimate to American society. Despite differences in motivations, both types of organizations provide similar services and outreach to their communities.
A new US survey reveals that one in five Americans (20%) have no religious preference, a significant increase from 1990. The General Social Survey found that only 8% of respondents were raised without religion, but 3% identified as atheists.
A new study finds sharp differences in school-prayer support between generations and religious denominations. School-prayer support remains lower among Catholics and mainline Protestants compared to evangelical Protestants.
Releasing people from Catholic guilt through absolution rituals increases generosity towards the church, according to new research. The study found that recalling or imagining forgiveness strengthens prosocial behavior, particularly among those who believe in divine judgment and engage in religious activities.
A new study finds that evangelicals have become more devout since the early 1990s, while Catholics report the lowest proportion of strongly affiliated followers among major American religious traditions. This shift could present challenges for the Roman Catholic Church, particularly in terms of church participation and social support.
A Concordia University study explores how Christian pilgrims give souvenirs to spark interest in religion and perpetuate their faith. Pilgrims believe gifts can open a conversation with God, fulfilling their desire to pass down their faith.
A study led by Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict investigated what drives generosity among Muslims and Catholics. The researchers found that both groups value community and connecting with people in need, as well as a sense of duty to their faith. They also discovered commonalities in the ways rel...
A study published in NEJM shows that bariatric surgery dramatically improves type 2 diabetes remission rates, with 95% of patients undergoing BPD achieving remission and 75% of those receiving RYGB. The study's authors suggest that the mechanisms behind the surgery are key to improving diabetes control.
A Baylor University study found that friendships forged at church play a significant role in people's religious activities and beliefs. The larger the proportion of friends, the more likely an individual will be active in their religious behaviors.
A recent Lancet comment proposes that Catholic nuns consider taking the contraceptive pill for health reasons, citing reduced mortality and cancer risks. Studies have shown a significant decrease in ovarian and endometrial cancer rates among pill users, with long-term benefits persisting for up to 20 years.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that the 'Protestant work ethic' in the 19th century gave northern Europe an educational advantage over southern neighbors, leading to higher incomes and a larger income gap. This historical factor is believed to have contributed to the North-South debt crisis.
A new multicenter study found that delaying intravenous (IV) feeding in critically ill patients who cannot tolerate tube feeding can enhance recovery and reduce complications. The study, which contradicts European guidelines, recommends waiting a week before initiating IV feeding to avoid hyperglycemia.
In Poland, the criminalization of abortion has led to a vast illegal private sector with no controls on price or quality. Since abortion became illegal, hospitals have seen a 99% decline in procedures, while doctors have generated millions in unregistered income by performing clandestine abortions.
A new analysis of voting patterns among bishops at Second Vatican Council points to indirect influence of non-Catholic churches in the Council's liberalization of the Catholic Church. Researchers found that relationships with other religious institutions were crucial factors in predicting bishops' votes on key issues.
Researchers at Catholic University of Rome have developed a promising new therapy against systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), an autoimmune disease characterized by skin hardening and organ dysfunction. The treatment targets the immune system's B-cells, reducing side effects associated with traditional immunosuppressive therapies.
A US study finds that church attendance has held relatively constant over three decades, but the demographics of attendees have shifted, with women, Catholics, and southerners seeing their influence wane. Education levels and rising minority populations are linked to these changes.
A study by Durham and Northumbria Universities found that second-generation Irish immigrants preferred English Protestant names over traditional Irish Catholic names, indicating a desire to minimize prejudice. The research suggests that this trend was also observed in other immigrant communities worldwide.
Three Editorials in The Lancet focus on inadequate conditions for US migrant detainees, the need for tailored disease-prevention programs, and the recent Danish decision to award compensation to breast cancer sufferers who worked night shifts. Pope Benedict XVI's comments on AIDS are also criticized for distorting scientific evidence.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition has found that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate (6.7 grams per day) can lower the risk of heart attack by significantly reducing inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The study, which enrolled over 20,000 participants, suggests that this amount of dark chocolate is associ...
New research in the Journal of Consumer Research found that presenting tempting foods in a real setting can improve self-control and lead to moderation, contradicting the idea of banning or avoiding temptation altogether.
Research found that communities with a large number of Catholic and Mainline Protestant churches tend to have lower mortality rates due to their emphasis on community outreach and public charity. In contrast, Conservative Protestant churches often focus on individual relationships with God and may lead to higher mortality rates.
The Pope has expressed support for scientific theories such as evolution and climate change, with the Vatican sponsoring a conference on climate change in 2006. However, he has not altered the church's opposition to using condoms to prevent HIV transmission or supporting abortion rights. In contrast, some progressive Catholics and cler...
A nationwide survey of American physicians found that psychiatry is the least religious medical specialty, with Jewish psychiatrists making up over half of the field. The study also revealed that religious physicians are less likely to refer patients to psychiatrists and more likely to send them to clergy or counselors. This gap in rel...
A RAND Corporation study reveals that people with stronger religious ties are less likely to spread HIV. The study found that moral beliefs and faith community membership may play a crucial role in reducing high-risk behaviors.
A study by the Catholic University of Campobasso confirms that moderate alcohol consumption reduces all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease. Drinking in moderation (2 glasses a day) leads to a 18% reduction in mortality for men, while women's protection disappears after 2 glasses.
A new survey at UCSD reveals that sectarianism in conservative religious groups holds back coalition formation on the right. The study found that members of these groups who favor a larger role for religious leaders in politics are less sectarian, bringing good news for supporters of the religious right.
This study sheds new light on the ideological positioning of Catholics in relation to the constitution, education, and the Dutch nation. It reveals how attention shifted from church-state relations to faith-politics debates.
Researchers analyze data from the 2003 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey to examine the relationship between in-group pride and out-group prejudice. They find that Catholics are less likely to feel proud of the Union flag, while Protestants tend to identify more strongly with their religious group.
Researchers found that Papuan women blend elements from their ancestral customs and the Catholic faith to form their own group identity. Initiation rituals are part of life experiences, embedded in social and religious context.
The Research in Prosthodontics and Implants Award honors Dr. Naert's contributions to prosthodontics through his extensive clinical studies and biomechanical analysis. His work has significantly impacted the practice of implant dentistry.
Researchers at VIB have discovered receptor proteins in yeast cells that detect and react to glucose and sucrose, which could be good targets for new medicines. This finding raises the possibility of glucose receptors existing in human beings.
A study by Ohio State University's Lisa Keister found that people who regularly attend religious services tend to be more wealthy than those who don't. The effect of religion is robust even after considering other factors such as inheritances and education, suggesting that faith influences spending and saving strategies.
Despite challenges, public support for devolution remains strong, with 43% of people backing the system. However, sectarian divisions and pessimism about community relations are on the rise, according to new research.
A new study found that countries with a smaller percentage of Catholics and no state support for the church have higher annulment rates. Annulments have increased since the Second Vatican Council made them easier to get, with the largest rise occurring in the US.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study suggests that nearly 30% of the US population attend church weekly, contradicting previous head counts. The research found that telephone polls like Gallup overestimate church attendance due to biased respondent demographics.