Religion and science are often portrayed as antagonistic fields. Most religious leaders do not pursue a science-heavy education, and most prominent scientists see too many ways that religion inhibits scientific exploration and healthcare. Public health and religion, however, have similar goals; they both seek to promote healthy living among their devotees. Why the fighting then? Generally, there exists walls of mutual ignorance and even stigma about the other side. The authors seek to address this problem by focusing on the overlap and how faith communities and public health officials can work together.
This book is heavy on public health but light on religion. They approach issues from their experiences in healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, and Cape Town, South Africa. They highlight areas where faith is not antagonistic but helpful to the goals of public health. They address “boundaries” and “boundary leadership” between the two areas – that is, areas where leaders can work together to solve community problems.
We live in an era where social determinants of health is a topic commonly addressed and explored. We also live in an era where it’s widely acknowledged that scientific practitioners must engage communities to push science forward in helpful ways. This book certainly fits within both of those conversations. It’s highly academic and dissects the issues in finite detail. It’s for highly educated readers. However, the overall gestalt presents a unifying vision of faith/health overlap.
I, for one, tire of fighting between the camps of science and religion. I wish for more points of light where we collaborate to address common needs, beyond occasional mission trips and blood drives. This book lights a vision towards that collaboration. After finishing it, I don’t have all the answers or even a set of next steps, but I do believe it’s possible if done in the right way. I will keep exploring how to find healthy models to address public health problems in religion and to address religious communities’ health. This book has certainly kindled that interest.
Religion and the Health of the Public: Shifting the Paradigm
By Gary R. Gunderson & James R. Cochrane
Copyright (c) 2012
Palgrace
ISBN13 9780239341524
Page Count: 220
Genre: Public Health, Religion
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