5. Does Worshipping Help?

5.1 Is worshipping for you a source of comfort? Yes___, No___, Explain __________

5.2 Does your worshipping meet your spiritual needs? Yes___, No___, Explain __________

6.3 Does your praying give you peace from an outside source? Yes___, No,____. Explain_____________

Attending religious services lowers risk of death by 28 percent, Source: ICIHS/NIHS

Older Americans' chances of living longer are stretched by 28 percent when they attend religious meetings each week - even after considering key health and social factors which also could lengthen lives - found a new study published in this month's Journal of Gerontology.

"The risk of dying for frequent attenders was 46 percent lower than for those attending less often," commented researcher Dr. Harold G. Koenig. After adjusting for other health and social factors that could help foster longer lives, frequent attenders were still 28 percent less likely to have died.

The study also found that religious attenders were physically healthier, had more social support and lived healthier lifestyles than less frequent attenders.

The study, supported by the National Institute on Aging, surveyed a random sample of nearly 4,000 seniors aged 64 and older to see if attending religious services had any bearing on living longer. It confirmed findings of a 28-year-long study on the west coast of over 5,200 people that found the risk of earlier death sank 23 percent among persons who often attended religious services.

The seniors were interviewed every year for up to six years to track death rates and links with health, social and religious factors. Health practices such as cigarette smoking and alcohol use - as well as age, gender, education and chronic health conditions - also were taken into account.

Death rates among this sample were relatively high during the six years - 30 percent - which provided "substantial power for examining predictors of survival," the researchers noted. Attending religious services stood out as a significant factor that predicted longer lives.

The link was strongest for women, who, after controlling for other factors, had a 35 percent lower risk of death, compared to a 17 percent lower risk for men. When accounting for this difference, the researchers cited other studies which have found women are more likely than men to pray, to rate religion as important in their lives and to depend on religion to cope, which perhaps conveys greater health benefits than merely attending religious services.

Why might attending religious services help add years to one's life? "Religious attendance is related to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. A strong religious faith reinforced by active religious participation may help persons to cope with life stressors, particularly physical health problems later in life. Lower rates of depression, like higher social support, may translate into stronger immune systems and better defenses against disease," the researchers commented.

"Past studies have linked religious attendance with lower blood pressure, fewer strokes, and better compliance with taking medicines and following doctors orders, which also can contribute to longer lives," added Dr. David B. Larson, president of the National Institute for Healthcare Research and co-author of the study.

Subject Experts: David B. Larson, M.D., M.S.P.H., president, National Institute for Healthcare Research;
Harold G. Koenig, M.D., M.H.Sc., geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Center for Aging at Duke University, Source: ICIHS/NIHS

 6. Does Worshipping Harm?

6.1 Is worshipping for you a source of stress? Yes___, No___, Explain __________

6.2 Is worshipping for you a duty that you do reluctantly? Yes___, No___, Explain___________

6.3 While worshipping, do you focus mainly on yourself? Yes__. No, Explain_________

And they worshipped the Dragon... Rev 13:1

7. Does Forgiving Help?

7.1 Is forgiving for you a source of comfort? Yes___, No___, Explain __________

7.2 Does your forgiving meet your spiritual needs? Yes___, No___, Explain __________

7.3 Does your forgiving clarify your relationships? Yes___, No,____. Explain_____________

Forgiveness Therapy Helps Parents Cope With Child's Suicide,  Source: ICIHS/NIHS

When a child dies by their own hand in suicide, parents' grief over the loss of a child can be compounded by anger at the child for committing such an act and burdensome guilt in themselves for failing to prevent it. A promising therapy focusing on forgiveness may offer hope to these suffering parents.

Teen suicide and its aftermath remain a staggering problem in the U.S. which has reached double the rates of adolescent suicide of any other industrialized nation, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 1970 and 1990 the rate of suicide among U.S. teens more than tripled, becoming the second leading cause of death, outstripped only by accidents.

Along with suicide prevention, a critical need for effective programs to deal with the psychological trauma of the surviving relatives of suicide victims has become the focus of recent research.

Drs. Radhi H. Al-Mabuk and William R. Downs of the Center for the Study of Adolescents at the University of Northern Iowa document a particularly promising approach for helping parents whose teens committed suicide. Shown effective in treating persons with other psychological trauma, this program focuses on teaching parents to "forgive" their dead child, breaking the cycle of emotionally trapping themselves in the event. Michael McCullough, Ph.D., of the National Institute for Healthcare Research (NIHR), has done extensive research on the role of forgiveness in mental health. "Dr. Al-MabukÌs theories about the role of forgiveness in coping with suicide are consistent with recent studies emphasizing the unique role forgiveness may play in counseling and psychotherapy." he says.

Following a child's suicide, a parent often does not confront the hurtful event, the researchers explain, instead setting up defenses to avoid dealing with the pain. But over time the parent often becomes angry, even hateful toward the dead child, yet also feels deep shame. They often continually relive the hurtful event over and over, held hostage by their feelings.

In forgiveness therapy, the therapists first help the parent face and release their anger toward the dead child and an "unjust" world. The parents are helped to realize their own coping strategies arenÌt working so they can decide whether to choose to work on forgiving their child.

Steps toward forgiveness include developing empathy for the child and the childÌs suffering, accepting the pain that was unfairly placed on them, and seeing their own imperfections as well as their child's so they can forgive. This creates an internal, emotional release.

"Forgiveness is important in diminishing anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, and resolving physical complications," as well as increasing hope and self-esteem, note the researchers.

Reference: Al-Mabuk, Radhi H., and Downs, William R. (1996). "Forgiveness Therapy with Parents of Adolescent Suicide Victims." Journal of Family Psychotherapy 7(2): 21-39. Source: ICIHS/NIHS

 8. Does Forgiving Harm?