Abstract:

Although the relationship between psychology and religion has not been very well for the last two hundreds, there has been tremendous research recently indicating positive relationship between religion and mental and physical health. This situation has not only been supported by the theologians but also secular scholars who work at medical schools. The research shows that while more religious man or woman are happier, more optimistic and better in terms of psychological well-being than those who are less religious; have less depression, less anxiety, and less oriented to suicide. In addition, those who are more religious people are better in physical health situation than those who are less religious people. As a result of these developments, many medical schools and colleges of psychology in the United States of America have begun to include the course of religion in their curriculum. However, when we talk about the effects of religion on mental and physical health, we should take into consideration the dimensions of religiosity, types of religiosity, cultures, races, countries, and religions of people involved in these studies.

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