Spiritual beliefs can be beneficial for a person’s health, increasing their optimism and resilience while decreasing their risk of depression, substance abuse, suicide, and risky behaviors. Belief can bring together people who share the same values, giving them a sense of belonging and greater social support. In addition, many religious organizations support health-based initiatives, such as healthy eating, regular exercise, and stress reduction, that have a positive impact on their communities.

Belief can give people comfort during hard times, especially when they experience profound loss. It provides purpose and an anchor for morality, which acts as a deterrent to crime. Religious belief can be a boon to parents as well, as it can inspire children to be more giving: Compared to agnostic or atheist peers, religious youth are much more likely to be involved in community outreach such as volunteering, and overwhelmingly more likely to cite forgiveness as a value they endorse.