Religion is an important part of human society. However, it can also become disconnected from spirituality. There are many factors that may contribute to the detachment of spirituality from religion. Here are some of these factors: (i) The environment in which religion is practiced can be influenced by the beliefs of a person.
(ii) The health and wellbeing benefits of religion vary among different cultures. Research indicates that social support, existential meaning, and a coherent belief system and moral code are key components of wellbeing. These factors may also be found in other sources, but religion can help package and make available these ingredients in a convenient package.
o The process of faith development: Faith involves discovering connections between events and experiences. In other words, faith helps us understand the “big picture,” and creates meaning for our lives. Faith development is one of the most fundamental aspects of spirituality. It involves a number of stages, including: identifying the values that are important to us and forming relationships with others.
o The role of religion in society: A recent study reveals that attitudes toward religion are mixed in Western Europe. While public opinion in Scandinavia is overwhelmingly negative, attitudes toward religion are relatively positive in Portugal, Italy, and Austria. Only a minority of respondents in Norway and Denmark hold negative attitudes toward religion.