Reflections on Religion and Spirituality

 Reflections on Religion & Spirituality 

Emma Short

University of Nebraska at Kearney 

SOWK-420: Diversity and Social Justice 

Dr. Jody Van Laningham 

November 14, 2025 

What stood out to you from the information about religious diversity in the United States population -- cite some new information you learned, some facts that are surprising to you, or information you find to be especially important. (Be specific and cite the source of the information from the course materials.) 

What really stands out about religious diversity in the United States is how it serves as a living reflection of the nation’s complex history and cultural evolution. Imagine walking through a city where you might pass by churches of various Christian denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. “Christian 81%, 55% Protestant; 26% Catholic.” (Canvas PowerPoint 2025).  Alongside synagogues, mosques, temples, and places of worship for many other faiths. This rich tapestry of beliefs is a direct result of centuries of immigration, where people from all over the world brought their religious traditions with them, contributing to a pluralistic society.   

What’s fascinating is how this diversity is not static; it continues to evolve as new waves of immigrants arrive and as younger generations reinterpret or even move away from traditional religious affiliations. For instance, there is a noticeable increase in people who identify as “spiritual but not religious,” or those who don’t affiliate with any religion at all. “For example, among those who indicate they are not spiritual, approximately 73 percent also indicate they are not religious. In short, these data suggest that spirituality and religion are closely related in the lives of most Americans.” (Hodge 2015).  This shift reflects broader social changes, including the rise of secularism and the increasing emphasis on individual spiritual experiences over organized religion.

One of the statistics that stood out to me the most was the number of college students who attend a university and regularly attend church, but by their junior year, they no longer do. “52% attend a church frequently the year before attending college, only 26% attend by junior year.” (Canvas PowerPoint 2025). I think that people find themselves in college, where they can explore different religions and different groups of people. For example, campus protests are now widespread. “Issues of faith, abortion, and end-of-life issues.” (Canvas PowerPoint 2025). These topics catch a lot of traction on a university campus. It is essential that students can express themselves and step outside their comfort zone.

Think of a population you are interested in working with (some examples might be: older adults, foster youth, LGBTQ individuals, hospital patients, people with mental health conditions, immigrants, refugees, people who are homeless, military families, survivors of sexual assault, etc.). Apply information from Dr. Canda's presentation and/or the Hodge article as you discuss the following: How might an understanding of an individual's religious beliefs and/or spirituality specifically apply to your work with them? In what ways might religion or spirituality either deter or promote well-being in an individual from this population?  

I have always been interested in working with hospital patients and people with mental health conditions. Understanding a patient’s religious beliefs or spirituality can be crucial in hospital and mental health settings because these aspects often shape how individuals interpret their illness, cope with stress, and make treatment decisions. For many patients, faith or spiritual practices offer comfort, hope, and a sense of meaning during challenging times, promoting emotional resilience and overall well-being. Prayer, meditation, or community support from a religious group can help reduce anxiety and depression, fostering a stronger sense of connection and purpose. “By demarking spirituality as a unique entity, social workers can identify the actual relationships between spirituality and critical mental health outcomes.” (Hodge 2015). 

On the other hand, religious or spiritual beliefs can sometimes hinder the well-being of specific individuals and lead to feelings of guilt, fear, or stigma about their condition. For instance, a person might believe their illness is a punishment or a test of faith, which could increase distress or discourage them from seeking medical help. “Additionally, if their religious views conflict with recommended treatments, this may cause tension or lead to a refusal of care.

  Dr. Canda also discussed ways that spirituality influences individual social workers. Discuss whether your own personal desire to pursue this profession (or another profession, or simply your interest in social justice) has a basis in your religious or spiritual beliefs, background, or experiences. He also discussed stress and burnout that helping professionals can experience. What strategies do you use to deal with stress in your own life? Is there a spiritual component to your coping strategies? 

My professional goal is related to social justice; I want to pursue a career in history. History is often rooted in social injustice; many groundbreaking stories have emerged from the consequences of social injustice. For example, Rosa Parks’ refusal to move from her seat sparked a conversation that segregation was wrong and that change was needed. Or the Civil War, the conversation of slavery was the main reason for the war, along with giving black men citizenship so that they could serve the Union.

I am always stressed; I like to explain to people that it’s a prominent personality trait of mine. I don’t really have any coping skills. I have a hard time not stressing, even when there is nothing to worry about. I am not the most spiritual person. I pray before I go to bed, but it helps calm my mind. It is part of my OCD I have a routine, and if I do not follow it, I will not sleep. I manage stress by focusing on tasks and completing them. I work on schoolwork early, so I don’t have to worry about it. I am very good at avoiding my stress. If I know something is coming up, I don’t think about it till the day of; my brain learns to put it off until I need to think about it.

References:

David R. Hodge (2015) from Social Work, 60, 219-227

PowerPoint Lecture 2025, Canvas 







 

 

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