Anthropology: How Religious Studies Facilitate Well-being during Adulthood - Research Paper Example

However, today adults give less importance to the teachings of religion because of which our society is facing downfall. In this paper, we will discuss how religious studies facilitate well-being during adulthood. We will also discuss the role of religion in reducing conflicts between different groups of people. How Religion Facilitates Well-being During Adulthood? Religion plays a considerable role in improving personal health and wellbeing of adults (Ferraro and Albrecht-Jensen). Anthropologists believe that religion is the driving force that directs adults throughout the stages of their personality development.

According to Barry and Nelson, religion puts a positive impact on the overall personalities of emerging adults. The logic that they have shown in their religious research is that religion is a source of inspiration that motivates young adults learn their religious, as well as social limitations. By adhering to the directions and guidelines of the religion, adults learn to play a positive role in maintaining peace in the society. Religion also injects the sense of spiritual development in young adults that makes them peace-loving people when they grow up.

In facilitating well-being during adulthood, religion plays the role of a stepping-stone. Religion injects the sense of faith/morality in the minds of adults. Religion is a code of conduct that makes young adults distinguish between right and wrong acts. Social and religious anthropologists believe that religion has a direct link with social norms and values of any society. Religion makes young adults learn the ways to make their actions in accord with the social norms and values. Religion not only helps young people learn their social and moral responsibilities but also helps them learn the ways to end social and religious conflicts between different groups of people living with them.

According to Standish, religion should be a necessary part of education for young adults. The reason that he gave in ethics and education-based research was that religion helps young adults develop good peer relationships at schools, which helps them develop a kind and friendly personality. Group relations become adverse in such societies where people have no understanding of religious teachings and beliefs. In societies where people have an understanding and knowledge of their religious and social obligations, occurrence of group conflicts becomes less.

On the other hand, in societies where less importance is given to religious education, the cases of group conflicts rise enormously because there is no proper guide that adults can follow to live their lives peacefully. Therefore, I believe that religious education should be made necessary at school level in order to make young children aware of their religion, as well as their social and moral obligations towards other members of the society. Religion is also a source of satisfaction for young adults.

According to Exline, religion is a powerful source of human comfort. I have personally seen an example of my cousin who had been suffering from Asperger Syndrome (an autistic disorder) since his childhood due to which he was not able to make friends. He became socially isolated with the passage of time. His