If You Have Faith, Then Religion Can Cure Mental Ills

Basically, the author of the article stands on the ground that the faith can help people with mental ills. At the same time, the author’s position is mainly justified by his empirical studies and observations, rather than by factual information. In such a way, it is hardly possible to use the article as a reliable source of information. On the other hand, the author conveys the logical explanation of effects of religion and faith as well as the position of different specialists who support the idea of a positive impact of religion and faith on patients with mental illnesses. In such a way, the author expands his personal position and uses opinion of other specialists to support his own views. As a result, the article sounds more convincing than it actually is because, it still lacks factual evidences, such as static data, which prove the fact of a positive impact of faith and religion on patients with mental illnesses.

Author: Larson, D.B.

Title: Have Faith: Religion Can Health Mental Ills.

Date: March 6, 1995

Source: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_/ai_16709448

The author of the article supports the idea of a positive impact of faith and religion on patients with mental health problems. Unlike the author of the previous article, the author of “Have Faith” conducts a more profound research and his conclusions looks more convincing.

In this respect, it is necessary to underline that the author attempts to analyze at the root of the problem of mental illnesses. As a result, he reveals the fact that faith can really decrease the risk of the development of mental illnesses because religious people, especially adolescents are less likely to develop dangerous habits, such as the drug use, which increase the risk of the development of mental illnesses. In addition, the author concludes that faith can facilitate the treatment of patients with mental illnesses.

Author: Schneider, L.

Title: What Religion Can Do For Your Health.

Date: 2008

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/190/story_19034_1.html

The article represents an interview of a journalist with a mental health care professional, Dr. Harold G. Koening. Basically, the specialist is quite skeptical about the positive impact of faith and religion on patients with mental illnesses. Even though he admits the possible interdependence between the psychological state of a patient and his faith, Koening still argues that there is the lack of scientific evidence of a positive impact of faith on mental health of patients. In fact, the article is quite useful because it reveals the position of health care professional who finds the study of the effect of prayers on the state of an individual “ridiculous” that reveals his skepticism in a positive impact of faith on mental health.

Author: Anonymous

Title: Schizophrenia – A Problem and Opportunity for Mental Illness

Date: April 29, 2006

Source:  http://www.schizophrenia.com/sznews/archives/003340.html

The article reveals the possibility of dangerous effects of faith and religion on mental health. For instance, patients with schizophrenia can refuse from treatment or resist to treatment under the impact of religion. In this respect, the article is very important because it reveals negative effects of religion on patients with mental illnesses. At any rate, it is obvious that the use of religion can be very careful and depend on mental health problems since faith can deteriorate the mental state of patients with mental health problems.