Research project
Sources of Meaning among organized non-religious ‘secular’ persons
Recently, studies have shown the similarities and differences in sources of meaning between religionists, ‘nones’ and atheists (see several studies of Schnell and others). The present study that will be conducted in three European countries tries to clarify the relationship between meaning giving and mental health among organized non-religious persons.
- Duration
- 2016
- Contact
- Elpine de Boer
- Partners
Dr. T. Schnell (University of Innsbruck, project leader)
Prof.dr. H. Alma (University of Humanistic Studies)
Dr. P. La Cour (Psychiatry Copenhagen)
There are several definitions of spirituality and religion. Batson, Schoenrade and Ventis (1993, p.8) use a broad definition of religiosity and define it as “Whatever we as individuals do to come to grips personally with the questions that confront us because we are aware that we and others like us are alive and that we will die”. According to Hood, Hill and Spilka (2009, p.12) )” the search for meaning is of central importance to human functioning, and (that) religion is uniquely capable of helping in that search”. This raises the question about sources of meaning among non-religious people.