God's Prescription for Mental Health and Religion Smile if You Truly Believe Your Religion

The central proposition of God's Prescription for Mental Health and Religion is that the highway to mental health of individuals and of society is God's prescription of selfless devotion and service to others. Mental health does not refer to the absence of mental disturbance, but rather to feelings of happiness and well-being. This message represents an integration of psychological and religious thinking, both of which say that personal peace and happiness come to those who devote their lives to serving others, instead of those who focus their lives on a search for personal pleasure. This proposition is supported by rigorous psychological research showing that people who believe in a loving and supportive God do, in fact, enjoy better mental health. This thesis is also supported by the insightful advice of many experts and commentators on social problems, and by specific quotations from the Bible. So, smile if you truly believe your religion.

E. Rae Harcum, Ph.D. is a professional psychologist, and a long-time member of a Protestant religious denomination. He has taught psychology at the college level for many years. He has authored many journal articles in psychology and several books on psychology and religion.