Religion has always been a major aspect of African-American life. Religion instills morals, discipline and optimism in its practitioners. We often credit our faith in God with our ability to overcome major life issues. Many people feel that their spirituality has greatly influenced their health and many doctors are in agreement, according to a study performed by researchers from the University of Chicago.
"The majority of U.S. doctors -- 56 percent -- believes that religion and spirituality influence patient's health," said lead author Dr. Farr A. Curlin, an assistant professor of medicine. "The influence mostly helps patients cope with illness and gives them a positive state of mind." Most doctors feel, the more positive a patient's attitude is towards beating a health problem, the easier it is for them to bring the patient back to good health.
According to HealthDay News, The researchers found that two-thirds of the doctors surveyed for this study believed that illness often increases patients' awareness of religion and spirituality.
Even though most doctors feel that religion plays a positive roll in patients' health, "A minority of doctors -- 7 percent -- believes that religion and spirituality can have a negative influence," Curlin said. "Sometimes, these beliefs can lead patients to refuse or not go along with medically recommended therapies," he said.
The patient plays a major role in regaining their health. The doctor can only prescribe medicine and provide instructions. It is up to patient to act on these recommendations. Patients who are not motivated or have little faith in their ability to overcome their conditions are less likely to properly implement doctor recommended changes into their lives. Patients who maintain a strong belief in God often maintain a "God helps those who help themselves" attitude and are more likely to follow instructions and live within guidelines.
What it all boils down to is trust and faith. A patient must have trust in the knowledge and skills of their doctors and they must have faith in their ability to overcome or live with their health condition. A positive attitude and optimism are key to overcoming life's obstacles -- health related or not.
Would you agree? Leave your thoughts below about health, illness and faith.
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Kirk Franklin is seen with the award for best gospel artist at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
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This undated photo released by the Walker Arts Center shows the photograph "Big Box Reuse: Grace Gospel Church, Pinellas Park, FL, 2007," by Julia Christensen. The photograph is part of the exhibition "Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes," which opens at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, Feb. 16. With more than 75 works ranging from architectural models of strip mall parking lots to large photographs of eerily empty mansions, the exhibit explores the history, the stories and the possible future of the suburb. (AP Photo/Julia Christensen)
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Members of China's Guanhua Arobatic Team from Shanghai, China, demonstrate their talent during their stay at the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. The team arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport this week to begin a 10-month national tour. The only problems: No one came to greet them, and no tour dates have been set. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
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Dongdong Zhang with the Guanhua Arobatic Team from China demonstrates his talent while he stays at the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
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Members of China's Guanhua Acrobatic team, from left, Chengjian Wang, Yan Liang, Hongivan Wang and Coach Wenbin Gao sit with James Lee from Richardson, Texas, right, as he translates to reporters how the team was stranded at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport after flying from Shanghai, China, and are now staying at the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
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The Clark Sisters (L-R) Karen, Dorinda and Jacky, hold their 3 Grammys for Best Gospel Performance for "Blessed & Highly Favored", for Best Gospel Song for "Blessed and Highly Favored" and for Best Traditional Gospel Album for "Live-One Last Time" at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 10, 2008. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)
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the Clark Sisters pose with the trophy of Best Traditional Gospel Album at the 50th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 10, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Valerie MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
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The Clark Sisters pose with the trophy of Best Traditional Gospel Album at the 50th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 10, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Valerie MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: The Clark Sisters, (L-R) Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole and Jacky Clark Chisholm pose with the Best Gospel Performance award in the press room during the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
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Ricky Skaggs (L) and The Whites, Sharon (2nd,L) Cheryl and Buck, pose with their award for Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album for "Salt Of The Earth" at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 10, 2008. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)
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By: Botofyah on 7/16/2008 2:18PM
BLACK VOICES:
July 16, 2008
There is no question that most Blacks in America are Christians, but that does not give credibility to this religious doctrine.
Blacks were forcibly taken from the shores of Africa, enslaved by Europeans all over the world, and were spoon fed a White culture, education, and religion that has been embraced wholeheartedly by them unto this day. Neither does this strong conviction for the Christian religion give it credence even after hundreds of years of belief and faith in it. Blacks are still subject to the ways of those who took them captives whether they admit it or not.
(For a better understanding of what the Bible has to say about this captivity, please read Leviticus 26th and Deuteronomy 28th Chapters and see the “WORD OF GOD” concerning the enslavement of a special group of Blacks.)
We forget that Christianity made its debut during the days of the Roman Era and that like all empires it made itself the “Ruler of the World”. In perpetuating this “New” religion, Christianity, people grew to accept it and put their heart and soul into the theology of this “New” faith. But they did not stop to think about what preceded belief in this man-god, the so-called “Saviour of the World”. Thus, people soon forgot about the CREATOR of the Heavens and the Earth, albeit, because HE was cast to the back burner to be replaced by that which was fabricated and contrived to be real, authentic, and valid for belief. But in essence, belief in this so-called “Saviour” has been nothing more than belief in a placebo.
That alone which proves this man the “Christ” to be a charlatan is that he did not know that God’s Kingdom was NOT at hand. Also, he said that he was sent to the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel”. He should have known that they were not in the land of Israel at the time of his “Coming”. GOD had long since scattered them, just as James 1:1 proclaims. Thus, this so-called “New Testament” “Saviour” was no Prophet Moses, for the man Moses was sent to the Children of Israel to deliver them out of Egyptian bondage, and he fulfilled GOD’s objective. Of great importance is the fact that it is written that this man-god “Saviour” is to suffer in order that those who believe in him will not. Ironically, those who believe in him seem to suffer most.
After more than 2,000 years, still there is no evidence of truth to the man supposedly born of a “virgin birth” who came to save the world. Actually, the world has become progressively worse since the so-called “Coming” of this “New Testament” “Saviour” with no relief at all stemming from this Christian faith.
Is it not time to consider why this world is so horribly troubled, especially by those who lay claim to umpteen Christian dogmas and pastors who believe in a faith that is supposed to give folks eternal life?
The “Old Testament” does not support the teachings of Christianity, albeit, the “Old Testament” GOD claims, “There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.” ”Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God…Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” These passages completely destroy the Christian doctrine and any belief in a man-god Trinity and/or “Saviour”.
For those who believe that the CREATOR GOD is One with the “New Testament” “Saviour”, please understand that if this were true, then the CREATOR GOD never would have written the First Commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Also, HE never would have said, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
More importantly, people who do not believe in this “Old Testament” CREATOR GOD do not know that even in the BEGINNING of Time when man, Adam, was formed, that this All-Mighty GOD also designed a Righteous Way of Life for people to live and do. Why would the CREATOR change HIS “Perfect” Paths of Righteousness for the likes of this man-made Christian doctrine? This doesn’t make sense, except only to those who choose to live as they please. And those who decide upon man’s religions should know that the “New Testament” was not written by any of GOD’s Prophets – not even one!!! They should also know that the CREATOR GOD of the “Old Testament” has priorities for those HE Created, and it is to be “OBEDIENT” to HIS Ways of Righteousness!
Finally, there are answers for all the turmoil taking place in America and across this globe. The CREATOR GOD is taking back HIS Universe. It’s in my book THUS SAITH THE LORD. And I urge everyone to read it and consider what…
THUS SAITH THE LORD
A Book on the “Old Testament”
by
Tziona Yisrael
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419629123/sr=8-6/qid=1152215959/ref=sr_1_6/002-5765394-4504857?ie=UTF8
(Amazon.com)
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