Hi Abdolreza,

I believe a scientist must consider that every thing is subject of study. If the methodology of a study is appropriate why not to study the influence of religion or spirituality on research or medical sciences ? I personally have no away of the infuence of spirituality on medical sciences; but we must try to understand the mechanism and the result. I suggest you several references:

Mandhouj O, and al. Spirituality an Religion Among French Prisonners: An Effectiv Coping Ressource? Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2013

Huguelet P, and al. Spiritual assessment as part of routine psychiatric evaluation: problems and implications.World Psychiatry 2013;12(1):35-6.

Mandhouj O, and al.French-language version of the World Health Organisation quality of life spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs instrument.Health Qual Life Outcomes 2012;19:10:39.

Best Regards.

Jean.

I think scientists should include the odd measure of spirituality on outcomes just in order to put some science into the grand ridiculous claims that come out of religious mouths. Include in questionnaires the odd question about prayer and then along with all other questionnaire data assess it's effect on outcome, maybe it does have an effect.   I think ministers of religion should be held accountable for their claims of healing and substantiate these grandeous claims with factual data, objective outcomes of signs and symptoms and not some waffly claim of healing as a result of prayer with no objective measure but just some ridiculous feel good measure that it has had an effect which is not scientific at all, but waffle.

Because of confidential records this would be a difficult study for the medical field to control. my suggestion would be to contact the churches who claim the healing from supernatural resources. Most churches with theses claims do keep records, medical data that can be researched,. again confidential records but the churches and the patients will be more open to share the medical data you seek.