Whether you are religious or not, you have probably seen or heard of religion in your life. It’s often depicted in literature, art, and poetry. It’s also reflected in rituals, politics, and culture. For instance, you might have attended a feast or holy day. But how much does religion impact your life? It can provide you with moral guidance, social support, and incentive to lead a healthy lifestyle.

However, there are a few countries where the influence of religion is decidedly negative. Sweden, Denmark, and Norway all have more than half of their adult population saying that religion causes more harm than good. And in Portugal, Ireland, and Italy, views of religion are more favorable. While there are certainly some downsides to religion, there are plenty of reasons to be positive about it.

While religion and spirituality are often considered subsets of one another, they actually are quite different. Religion focuses on the group whereas spirituality focuses more on the individual. In both cases, religion has an important social function and a corresponding moral duty to serve. And, while religion may not be as glamorous as it used to be, it still has the power to inspire and encourage action.

There are many religions and a lot of variation. Some religions are more formal, whereas others are more informal. For instance, religious fundamentalism adheres to the literal truth of the sacred texts while “New Age” beliefs are more about personal empowerment and self-actualization. But no one religion is monolithic and there’s no such thing as a religion that’s monotheistic or mono-secular.

The survey also asked subjects to rate a number of statements about religion. It was interesting to find that people who were religious or spiritual overwhelmingly agreed with the most important statement: “Belief in a god or higher power is the best way to find meaning and purpose in life.” However, it’s also true that religion is not for everyone.

A majority of people who say they are religious or spiritual agree with the statement “Religion is a source of moral guidance.” Moreover, religion is often credited with giving people the strength and confidence they need to make the right choices. While religion is often associated with rituals, traditions, and rules, religion can also be a social support system. As long as people are willing to follow the rules and obey the authority of their chosen religion, it can provide them with the motivation to lead a healthy life.

While there are numerous examples of religions that may have a negative impact on people, there are also many examples of religious diversity that are much more positive. For instance, religion has been a source of social support and unity in many African societies. And, while the Bible may be the most popular religious text, there are plenty of other pieces of literature, art, and poetry that draw from religions.

In the U.S., a number of surveys have been conducted to determine whether people have a more positive view of religion than they used to. One of the best known is the Barna Research “spiritual but not religious” study, which measured the sentiments of more than 2,000 adults. Its two main groups are unaffiliated and practicing Christian, and was produced at a 95% confidence level. The survey included a representative sample of adults between 18 and 35, and consisted of 1281 web-based surveys.