All posts tagged: Religion and Spirituality

Study: Religion helped young people’s mental health

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV) A study conducted by Springside Research Institute (SRI), based in Winona, MN, has concluded that there is a positive relationship between religion/spirituality and good mental health, the Christian Post reports. The study entitled The State of Religion & Young People 2022: Mental Health–What Faith Leaders Need to Know came to the conclusion after surveying nearly 10,000 people between the ages of 13 and 25, also known as Generation Z. The study which focussed on the pandemic and related lockdowns found that during this period over half (53%) of those surveyed said they struggled with mental health issues during the pandemic years. The survey then questioned the remaining 47% who didn’t have mental health issues to find out why they didn’t struggle. The survey found of those who described themselves as …

Is it wrong to leave your religion?

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When I was a boy, I would walk home from school with a gang of my friends. I still remember trudging through the snow, and shouting. We argued all the way home, and for us there was only one belief. Who had the best car? We didn’t drive cars, or even ride bicycles, but we were passionate believers. I think we mostly believed in the cars that our fathers drove. One friend was the son of a church minister, and he lived in a manse, a house next to a church. He believed in Fords. We were all deeply convicted, and we knew the others were wrong. We were human beings trying out adult ideas. Since then, I have changed. I still don’t own a Ford, but I am open to the idea. There are powerful forces in this world. Eighty percent of all humans identify with a religion, and probably the other twenty percent believe something strongly. Some belief systems function like religions, in people’s lives. Believing is a common human experience, just like …

Are you spiritual but not religious?

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I have friends who like to say they aren’t religious, they are spiritual. The problem is, I know them too well. Sometimes they are just deflecting a question about their choices in life. And I have friends who are religious, and sometimes I don’t see them being spiritual. I am not the judge, but some things seem obvious. Maybe they are deflecting too. There is a simple truth in these words; ‘God help me!’ That is spiritual and religious. We need to find our Father.

Study shows church goers commit less crime

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Researchers at Manchester University in England discovered church goers commit less crime, particularly when it comes to illegal drug use, music piracy and shoplifting. The research group led by PhD student Mark Littler surveyed 1,200 people ranging in age from 18 to 24. The researchers asked the study group about their history of criminal activity in eight specific areas and what the possibility was they would commit future crimes. 

“Little Drummer Boy” as it should be played — on a drum

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In 2011, 16 year-old Winnipeg high school student Sean Quigley produced this unique arrangement of the traditional Christmas carol Little Drummer Boy. Sean not only sang, but he also played all the instruments, directed and edited the video. Winnipeg is located in the province of Manitoba in Canada. The YouTube video went viral and now has over 2.8 million views. The Winnipeg Free Press did an interview with Sean, then 18, in December 2013.  A lot has changed and not much has changed. What hasn’t changed is Sean still wears shorts in the middle of winter. Sean said he only owns one pair of long pants. What has changed is that He graduated from High School and started his own band  — Bold as Lions. The name comes from Proverbs 28:1: The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. (NASV) Sean is also engaged to fellow band member Karli Gerbrandt. In the interview, Sean spoke of his faith: We want to be a light in the darkness in the music …

Oh God, we cry out for Your mercy

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Oh God, we cry out for Your Mercy. Oh God, we cry out for Your Grace. Oh God, we cry out set us free. Oh God, we cry out once again. I never heard of Kim Walker, but I love this song.  She is singing with her worship group the “Jesus Culture Band.” Kim resides in Redding, CA with her husband Skyler and son Wyatt. She is a recording artist and worship leader at Bethel Church in Redding. I came across this song on tworiversblog.com, the official blog for Two Rivers, a new church work in Binghamton, New York. It is an interesting blog, check it out.  

Did a Canadian human rights tribunal just classify atheism as a religion?

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ONTARIO, CANADA: The Ontario Human Right Tribunal (OHRT) has just ruled atheists need protection under the human rights legislation like other faiths such as Christianity, Muslims and Buddhists. The Tribunal made this decision in response to a complaint by Rene Chouinard, an atheist, who wanted to distribute a book called “Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children” to children attending schools in the Niagara School Board (NSB). The book treats God as a mythical creature. The NSB has

75% of Americans concerned about country’s increasing secularization

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According to a recent Gallup poll, 77% of American believe religion’s influence in society is declining. But when asked if the country would be better off if more Americans were religious, nearly as many said yes. Gallup has been asking questions on religion’s influence in the U.S. since 1957. This year’s number represents the highest percentage ever of American’s who believe religious influence in America is declining. This year’s percentages nearly reverses the 1957 poll in which 14% believed

What Stormy teaches us about trials, trust, faith and hearing the voice of God

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[by Dean Smith] In 2010, Beka and her horse Stormy competed in the “Extreme Cowboy Race,” part of the Equine Affair held annually at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. Over 100,000 people attended the four-day affair. Though dozens of riders apply to compete only 30 are accepted. The event features obstacle courses, timed and judged events. But there was something about Stormy that set him apart from every other horse in that year’s event. Stormy is completely blind. This amazing story in many ways illustrates the believers faith walk with God. But perhaps the greatest lesson we learn is the vital connection between trust and faith. When she was 8-years old, Beka thought her parents were taking her to Dairy Queen to celebrate her birthday, instead they took Beka to a farm and introduced her to Stormy, a three-year old, unbroken horse they had bought for her. Beka said she immediately fell in love with this gangly colt, and despite being bucked off on her first ride attempt, she stubbornly broke the horse and …