Religion and Health. Intersections and (Dis)Agreements in Contemporary Societies.

The objective of this session is to discuss the linkages between religion and health in two main areas. On the one hand, in terms of their articulation or the ways in which health specialists, specific social groups, and individuals, based on their self-care trajectories, understand and care for human ailments and afflictions.

On the other hand, to reflect on the (dis)encounters and (dis)agreements between various health systems that coexist in contemporary societies (biomedical, traditional medicine, spiritual healing, among others). Based on different epistemologies, some of these systems integrate spiritual guidance to address aspects of health, illness, and well-being. We propose three analytical dimensions to explore where these intersections and (dis) encounters between religion and health occur. The first is the structural dimension, which includes the legislative field and how public health systems and health policies operate. This dimension also defines a field of rights, regulations, and responsibilities regarding health care. The second is the social dimension, focused on how specific groups, religious, scientific, or people living with a particular health condition, manage the links between health and religion, either adhering to them or generating dissidence. Finally, the third dimension relates to individual trajectories regarding self-care practices. It explores how individuals negotiate and reconcile the discrepancies between these different systems in their search for health and wellbeing.

Session Organizers:

Olga OLIVAS HERNANDEZ, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte A.C., Mexico, olivas@colef.mx
Mar GRIERA, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, mariadelmar.griera@uab.cat

Recorded Presentation

See more of: RC22 Sociology of Religion
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