Religion and Health

This chapter supports the view that religious following is a resource for the health and well-being of followers, although outcomes would vary by priority religious functions and moral codes of their faith tradition. In their diversities, religious teachings may have different moral-ethical codes of emphasis that oblige followers or allow them discretion in their health practices. The window of opportunity for followers’ discretionary health well-being practices may depend on the functions of religion emphasized by a faith community and associated moral-ethical codes. When followers perceive a confluence in religious belief supported by moral-ethical codes and public health programs, their adherence to public health guidelines may be strengthened. However, when followers perceive discordance between religious beliefs supported by moral-ethical codes and public health guidelines, they may experience distress in navigating these contradictions. Future research needs to explore how religious culture followers perceive and enact health well-being behaviors in narrow and wide discretion religions across faith traditions.