RELIGIOUS FAITH AS A FACTOR FOR OVERCOMING CRITICAL LIFE SITUATIONS

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RELIGIOUS FAITH AS A FACTOR FOR OVERCOMING CRITICAL LIFE SITUATIONS

Journal Title: Psychological journal - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 4

Abstract

The article focuses on the sense-oriented orientation of religious faith and its possibilities in overcoming critical life situations. It is argued that religious beliefs can mitigate or overcome certain life situations, acting as an integrator and mobilizer of personal resources. It is emphasized that the therapeutic function of religious faith satisfies the psychological needs of the individual, «softens» existential tension, gives emotional relaxation and calming, stabilizes the mental state of the individual. Productive to understand the role of religious faith as a factor in overcoming critical life situations, is the opinion of M. Mamardashvili on findingof a certain «point of support» in life of person, through which she carries out a spiritual and existential act related to the development of the individual and determines its activities and behavior. Religious belief is characterized by fatalism, that is, the exceptional significance it has in solving the most painful issues of human existence. Usually, the most severe critical situations of the individual are those related to the awareness of their own mortality (incurable disease, participation in combat operations, etc.) or collision with another's death (the loss of a loved one). Religious faith in various critical situations is experienced by a person in different ways. On the one hand, it can perform a destructive action, reinforcing anxiety and depression, a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that can lead to a life crisis, and on the other hand, to give meaning to life, to make it more complete and meaningful. In any case, the collision with a critical situation is painfully experienced by a person: firstly, it changes its attitude to life, death, self and values, and secondly, forms various life strategies that help her to get out of this situation, give meaning to life, make it more complete and meaningful. Consequently, religious belief is associated with existential issues, problems of values. After all, a person will not believe in something that does not have meaning for her, a special meaning. Therefore, religious faith is an integrative entity, which is characterized by a certain personal resource, which includes not only emotional, cognitive and behavioral components, but also aspects related to the situational context.

Authors and Affiliations

Dmitro Larin, Denys Predko

Keywords

EP ID EP553142
DOI 10.31108/1.2017.4.8.7
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