Articles tagged with Religion
A recent study by Baylor University researchers found that college students with religious tattoos have a stronger faith and engage in regular religious practices, yet they also exhibit surprising levels of deviance, including increased marijuana use and sexual activity. Tattoes are seen as a way to express strong emotions and identity.
A recent international study suggests that traditionalism is associated with support for stricter precautionary behavior against epidemics, according to researchers at UCLA and the University of Seville. The study found that people who value traditions tend to be more likely to support health measures despite potential risks.
A study involving over 4,700 people from diverse ethnoreligious populations found that participants showed increased generosity when prompted to think about God. The researchers discovered that belief in God may promote positive intergroup relations and cooperation across religious divides.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that societies with high levels of social inequality are more likely to have laws that discriminate against certain groups. Additionally, autocracies often institutionalize religion to legitimize power and resist democratization.
A new analysis shows that places of worship in Washington, D.C. are associated with higher rates of violent and property crime. The study controlled for sociodemographic factors and other crime-risk indicators, suggesting that high foot traffic at these sites may inadvertently fuel crime.
The Holocaust Centre North has been awarded a £105,000 grant from the Claims Conference to expand its collection of Holocaust-related materials. The project will digitize the centre's physical archive and increase its size by 50%, making it more accessible to researchers and the public.
A macroecological study found that giant tree properties, such as trunk circumference and age, are strongly correlated with climatic factors. The probability of a tree being an object of faith tends to increase with lower annual precipitation, highlighting the impact of climate change on spiritual ecosystem services.
Research found that being bullied based on sexual orientation or gender identity was significantly correlated with feelings of sadness and hopelessness, as well as suicide attempts. Cyberbullying, social bullying, and bullying based on race also had significant correlations with mental distress and suicide attempts.
A Regenstrief-led study found that enhanced spiritual care for family members of ICU patients resulted in a clinically significant decline in anxiety and improved spiritual well-being. The study demonstrated the importance of chaplains to the long-term psychological health of surrogate decision-makers.
A new study reveals a strong relationship between attitudes on abortion and race, with those holding low racial resentment scores more likely to support abortion rights. The researchers found this connection has grown stronger in recent years, regardless of partisan affiliation.
A team of international codebreakers has deciphered 57 previously unknown letters written by Mary Queen of Scots while imprisoned in England. The letters provide insights into her captivity and communication with French ambassador Michel de Castelnau, including complaints about poor health and negotiations for release.
A new Duke University study found that most clergy members prioritize medical understanding of depression, with only a small minority recommending solely religious treatments. The survey results alleviate concerns about clergy advising congregants to pray instead of seek medical help for depression.
A new poll finds that most older Americans (84%) have religious and/or spiritual beliefs important to them, with 71% citing religious beliefs. Many believe health care providers should respect their personal beliefs, but want them to discuss their faith with providers when needed.
The special issue explores key characteristics of ethical codes, their underlying values, and challenges in implementing them. Studies highlight common ethical values across cultures, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and care in early childhood education.
A recent audit by the University of Cambridge found that a third of church buildings cost more money each year than they can raise, with only one in five being financially profitable. Churches will need to find innovative ways to remain financially sustainable and be useful to communities if their future is to be secured.
The $2.4 million grant will provide direct training for new community health workers in Lubbock and throughout the state through registered apprenticeship programs and job placements. The program aims to increase access to healthcare and address public health needs for underserved communities.
A recent study by West Virginia University sociologists found that individuals with paranormal beliefs are more likely to be hesitant about vaccination. These beliefs, which include astrology and spirits, lead to a lack of confidence in science and vaccines, including the COVID-19 shot.
A University of Houston study suggests that attending religious services regularly can lead to lower mortality rates among Black men in their 50s and older. The study found that these men who attended services at least once weekly had better health profiles, including lower rates of smoking and drinking.
A VCU-led study found that evangelical Christians who sought information from their religious leaders were less likely to get vaccinated, while those who spoke with a health care provider were more likely. The study highlights the influence of faith-based and healthcare providers on vaccine decision-making.
Researchers found that smartphones and social media can exacerbate feelings of attachment and anomie, rather than providing purpose and meaning. Identifying a satisfying purpose in life can provide a protective effect against these negative effects.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that religiosity significantly affects the risk preferences of small-scale farmers in Ethiopia. Farmers who believe in a higher power are more willing to take risks, with approximately 26% believing God determines their success as farmers.
A new study finds that individuals with stronger religious beliefs tend to have lower sex drives but are more content with their sex lives overall. Researchers also discovered a significant association between educational attainment and reduced sexual satisfaction.
African American adults with higher levels of religiosity and spirituality may be more likely to meet key cardiovascular health metrics. The study found associations between religious behavior, spirituality, and improved health outcomes in terms of diet, physical activity, and smoking.
A research study of African Americans with cardiovascular disease found that higher levels of religious practices and spirituality are associated with greater likelihood of intermediate or ideal levels of heart health. Specifically, private prayer was linked to better diet and smoking habits, while nontheistic spirituality was associat...
A study found that higher empathy in adolescents is linked to lower odds of cyberbullying others based on their race, religion, or other identity factors. Cognitive empathy was the key factor in reducing bias-based cyberbullying.
Digital religion among millennials provides important spiritual spaces, enriching existing religious experiences. A new study found that digital forms of communication stem secularization and facilitate a 'spiritual revolution', but are not attracting new participants.
A study analyzing FIFA voting data from 2010-2016 suggests cultural similarity biases results. Captains were found to be more biased than coaches, while media people were the least biased.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital found that incorporating spirituality into care can lead to healthier lives, including greater longevity and quality of life. The researchers recommend increasing awareness among clinicians about the protective benefits of spiritual community particip...
A study by MIT researchers found that sectarian identity in the Muslim world is often intertwined with local politics and shaped by social interactions. Domestic economic and political factors influence variation in sectarianism more than transnational matters do.
A survey study found that one quarter of LGBTQI2+ people in Quebec have experienced attempts to change their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The likelihood of experiencing conversion efforts is higher among indigenous, intersex, transgender, non-binary, and asexual individuals.
Researchers found data analysis, accounting, cleaning, and banking to be the most boring jobs, while religion, watching TV, and bird watching were among the dullest hobbies. Stereotypically boring people are often disliked and avoided due to preconceptions, leading to social ostracization and increased loneliness.
A new study from Rice University finds that two-thirds of Muslims, half of Jews and more than a third of evangelical Protestant Christians experience workplace discrimination in different ways. Muslims and Jews feel targeted by anti-Islamic and antisemitic rhetoric, while Christians are perceived as judgmental for taking moral stances.
A new study by Cornell University's Landon Schnabel found that women are now as likely as men to report working because they want to, not just out of necessity. The gender gap in preferring to work is closing, except for pockets of the most religiously active Americans.
A longitudinal study confirmed that adults' religious styles change over a person's lifetime, with most participants moving to a higher style. Factors such as openness to experience and low agreement with their own religion supported this progression, while regression was also observed in a significant number of cases.
A national study found that religious believers who hold accountable to God experience higher levels of mattering, dignity, and meaning in their lives. This relationship is stronger among those who pray more often, suggesting a powerful combination for well-being.
A longitudinal study of male prisoners' religious beliefs found that stable or increasing religiosity did not improve reentry-related outcomes. In fact, many men with decreasing religious beliefs struggled to reintegrate into society due to structural barriers and substance use.
A study found that UK adults' accuracy in estimating national statistics is influenced by their intelligence, religiousness, and political beliefs. Respondents were most accurate when estimating characteristics like vegetarianism and car ownership, but least accurate for minority groups like homosexuals.
Limpets played a significant role in global culture, medicine, and innovation, with uses dating back tens of thousands of years. They have contributed to the evolution of human brain development and feature in many place names and traditions.
A 500-year-old English illuminated manuscript provides fresh insights into Catholic beliefs in England before the Reformation. The metre-long prayer roll contains religious verse and illustrations, including symbols of Christ's crucifixion, which were connected to a famous pilgrimage site.
Researchers at West Virginia University discovered a significant relationship between Christian nationalism and vaccine hesitancy, citing a national sample of 2,000 U.S. adults. They found that individuals embracing this ideology are less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and express skepticism towards science.
Researchers found that Maya rulers altered their cities' structures and alignments to reflect their own desires and authority. Many temples were built on top of existing ones or abandoned altogether, shifting the focus from community ritual to ruler-centric politics.
A new study has identified the periaqueductal gray as a critical hub for changes in spiritual identification, surprising researchers who previously thought it was associated with higher brain regions. The discovery could have significant implications for understanding spirituality's role in managing physical and emotional pain.
A recent study reveals that colleges struggle to provide adequate mental health support to Asian and Latino students due to interdependent cultural values and shame. The study suggests that culturally tailored treatment services addressing these issues can improve help-seeking behaviors.
Researchers developed an online training program for Korean American clergy to support victims of domestic violence. The program, Religious Leaders for Healthy Families, uses interactive case simulations to build confidence and self-efficacy among faith leaders.
A survey study found that adults who place importance on religious or spiritual beliefs tend to make more advance care planning choices, such as specifying life-sustaining treatments. The study suggests that these beliefs may play a significant role in shaping end-of-life care preferences.
A study using street names to quantify cultural indicators found that Vienna honors the most women (54%), followed by London (40%). Paris and New York have lower proportions, with many streets named after people from the 1860s. Street names also reflect professions and professions held by street honorees, such as artists, writers, and ...
A new study found that religious participation increases social trust among both millennials and older adults, with those attending church more likely to donate to charity. The research also shows that younger generations can benefit from intergenerational interactions with their elders, who tend to have more social capital.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in England and Wales' marriage laws, with couples facing uncertainty about their ability to marry. Researchers found that the rules governing marriages struck a balance between legal events and social gatherings, but failed to please anyone.
A new online resource hub will be established to document the life and work of controversial theologian Don Cupitt. The grant-funded project aims to provide access to archival material, blog posts, videos, and lectures related to Cupitt's influential books and BBC series.
A University of Otago study found that anxiety enhances recall of supernatural agents, leading to the formation of religious beliefs. The research suggests that anxious individuals are initially attracted to the scary traits of gods and other supernatural concepts due to their alarming effects on our expectations.
Severe droughts prompted landowners to grant rights to non-elites, who promoted institutional changes through cooperation. Climate shocks also influenced agricultural activities and social orders in developing countries., Climate crises in Mesopotamia led to the development of cooperative relationships between elites and non-elites.
A majority of Generation Z gay and bisexual teenage boys report being out to their parents, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. However, stigma and religious beliefs still prevent some young people from disclosing their sexual identity.
Research reveals that religion can both protect mental health and constrain crisis response among certain groups, ultimately affecting public health efforts. Highly religious Americans, especially evangelicals, experienced less distress during the early days of COVID-19 but were less concerned about addressing the pandemic.
A study of 2,356 people reveals that sensory absorption and a porous mental model explain divine experiences. The research, conducted across multiple cultures and religions, highlights the complex factors influencing spiritual encounters.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that religious beliefs and spiritual struggles modulate protein expression associated with cardiovascular disease in US South Asians. The research suggests that spiritually focused psychotherapy may help reduce risk of CVD for individuals experiencing spiritual distress.
A new study found that religious individuals employ cognitive reappraisal and coping self-efficacy, two psychological strategies linked to reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. The research suggests a convergence between science and religion in promoting well-being and resilience.
A new study found that one in four physicians report being attacked and sexually harassed on social media, with women disproportionately affected. The study highlights the need for medical institutions to have a plan in place to respond to online harassment and support physicians' careers.
Researchers found that Christian nationalist values among non-churchgoers were strongly tied to voting for Trump. In contrast, churchgoers' support for Trump was not influenced by their level of Christian nationalism. The study challenges the idea that the religious vote for Trump was driven by Christian leaders and institutions.
A new study found no association between leisure activities at age 56 and dementia risk over 18 years, but found that stopping participation may be an early sign of dementia. People who took part in more leisure activities at older ages were less likely to develop dementia.
Researchers found a connection between daily spiritual experiences and overall well-being, with both stable and fluctuating experiences contributing to mental well-being. Daily spiritual experiences, such as feeling God's presence or inner peace, were associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher levels of flourishing.