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Does Cancer Diagnosis Make Younger People Religious?

by Anne Trueman on Nov 20 2012 11:39 AM
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Commonly, it is believed that religion is that strong spiritual power that gives you immense courage and will power in times of need. A recent research has contradicted this popular belief.

Cancer is defined as ‘the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body’. Cancerous cells are also termed as the malignant cells.

Cancer is one of those diseases that is believed to be difficult to be cured. According to new research, the diagnosis of cancer in young people strengthens their faith in religion provided they are religious.

The scientists said that challenging situations can only solidify their already existing faith in religion.

According to the theory of sociology of religion, religious conversions are generally preceded by some personal catastrophe. An individual’s religious feelings are altered by any confrontation with life-threatening crisis such as diagnosis of cancer.

Dr. Ausker defied this theory; she interrogated a number of young cancer patients regarding their perception of religion- both during and after the treatment.

She noted that the diagnosis of cancer neither made young people lose their faith in religion nor did it made atheists more religious. It simply strengthened the religious faith in those individuals who were already religious.

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The researcher stated, "The cancer patients do contemplate existential issues, but that does not mean that they suddenly start praying or going to church if these religious practices were not already part of their lives.”

She defended her thesis by saying that some people considered it to be hypocritical to change their religious practices and beliefs, because of being diagnosed with cancer.

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Source-Medindia


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