Define religion and ritual
Name and describe at least two non-traditional healing systems
Discuss the interface between religion and mental health
Religion, Healing and Psychotherapy. What is ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ in religious practices across cultures, Religion and Mental Health: variation, structure and worldview
Non-Traditional Healing Systems
Non-traditional healing systems, often referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) or indigenous healing practices, address health by focusing on the mind-body connection, energy flow, or spiritual equilibrium, often outside of conventional biomedicine.
Acupuncture: Originating in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this system involves inserting very thin needles into specific points along the body's energy pathways (meridians).
Description: It is based on the concept that illness results from an imbalance or blockage of qi (life energy). By stimulating these points, acupuncture aims to restore the flow of qi, thereby alleviating pain and treating various physical and psychological conditions.
Ayurveda: An ancient, holistic healing system from India that translates roughly to "the science of life."
Description: Ayurveda views health as a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. It is based on the concept of three elemental forces or energies called doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Healing involves personalized interventions, including herbal medicine, dietary changes, yoga, meditation, and massage, aimed at restoring an individual's unique balance of doshas.
Sample Answer
Religion and Ritual Defined
Religion is a complex, culturally organized system of beliefs, practices, and worldviews that relates humanity to an order of existence. It often involves faith, devotion, and a code of ethics or conduct. Fundamentally, religion provides a framework for understanding meaning, purpose, and reality (the sacred vs. the profane) and establishes a sense of collective identity and shared morality within a community.
Ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, objects, or music performed in a sequestered place and according to a set sequence. Rituals are prescribed by a religion or community and serve as symbolic actions that reinforce the core beliefs of that system. They are often cyclical (e.g., weekly services) or tied to life-cycle transitions (e.g., weddings, funerals)