Changes in Depression,Anxiety,and Stress Levels during a Religious Period:A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective:There is conflicting evidence suggesting an association between Ramadan and mental health.Aim:This study aims to assess changes in depression,anxiety,and stress levels during Ramadan among university students from Saudi Arabia and to measure the magnitude of change in these levels according to gender.Methods:This study is a prospective cohort study.Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that measured demographic data of the students,and levels of depression,anxiety,and stress utilizing the short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales questionnaire(DASS 21).The assessments were performed starting from the month of Shaban(the month that precedes Ramadan),and the second wave of data collection was initiated beginning the second week of Ramadan until the end of the month.Differences in the proportion of students who are categorized as normal or having abnormal degrees of depression and anxiety between Shaban and Ramadan were tested using either the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.Results:A total of 321 students completed the assessment during Shaban and Ramadan.More than half of the students were male(54.2%),with a mean age of 22.A statistically significant di7fference in levels of anxiety,depression,and stress between the assessment periods was detected(p<0.001).The proportion of students classified as normal increased during Ramadan across all measured conditions in comparison to during Shaban.The reduction in the number of students classified as having anxiety,depression,and stress between the assessment periods remained statistically significant across both genders.Nonetheless,degrees of change appear to be higher among male students than among female students.Conclusion:This study identified a reduction in levels of depression,anxiety,and stress among students during the month of Ramadan,as well as gender variation concerning levels of change.The results support the significance of considering social,religious,and spiritual aspects when designing interventions to address individuals’mental health.

The Implantation and Transmission of Plague Culture by the Five Plague Gods in Shuilu Murals

The Five Plague Gods(五瘟神) in the Shuilu(水陆) murals from the Ming and Qing dynasties exemplify a distinctive manifestation of plague gods image developed under the pedigree of Taoist gods.As a significant system for expelling disasters in Shuilu,the depiction of the Five Plague Gods prominently merges human beings and livestock.This shape form to a large extent,draws on the image of Nuo(傩),a figure reflecting an imagination of the host of plague pathogens.In terms of the numbers of gods,it aligns with the conceptual framework of Wu Xing(五行 the five elements),a foundational principle in traditional Chinese medicine.The internal cultural connection highlights the means of plague prevention and control in China,as well as the external reflection of plague culture.Through multi-dimensional interpretations with the double proof method,this article dissects the formation,core elements,and cultural characteristics of the beliefs in the Five Plague Gods reflected in the Shuilu murals,and transcends mere visual semantics,offering a deeper understanding of these complex cultural symbols.

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Spirituality:The Evolution and Personalization of Religious Experience

This paper explores the evolution of religious experience from ancient nature worship and ancestor reverence to modern individualized spirituality.It examines how early spiritual practices were deeply intertwined with daily life,later becoming institutionalized through formalized religions with complex rituals and doctrines.The rise of mysticism,emphasizing personal connections with the divine,persisted alongside institutional religions.In contemporary society,the shift towards"spiritual but not religious"reflects a return to personalized spiritual paths,driven by individualism and the desire for direct,meaningful spiritual experiences.This trend's implications for both individuals and society are also discussed.

The Islamic Religion in Course Curriculums of High School History Textbooks in the Republic of Macedonia

History textbooks can and primarily should contribute to the strengthening of students’awareness of universal human values.However,history textbooks can also deepen the divisions,prejudices,and uncritical attitudes,contrary to the goals of education.The youth population,which is still building and creating their point of view towards the world is the main group in the education process.The learning period,in the elementary,as well as in the secondary education is of utmost importance for the development of every human.To that end,history,through the contents of the past largely shapes our perceptions of every individual,ourselves,and the others.Since we are living in a multiethnic and multi-confessional society,I have decided to conduct an analysis of the teaching contents of high school textbooks related to religion.Another reason for the analysis is the role of religion in the formation of Balkan nations,which have made it one of the key elements of their national identities.It is often given the role of raising and strengthening the national awareness,patriotism,as well as the country homogeneity,which most often leads to forming prejudices,divisions,and discrimination towards people of minority religions.The large volume of content related to the religion,and also the mere fact that Muslims are the second largest religion group in the population,I have decided to analyze the contents which are related only to the Islamic religion.The goal is to look for both the positive and negative sides of those contents in history textbooks in secondary schools,which are backed by state institutions that are supposed to take care of the development of competitive,creative,progressive,and ethically formed human potential.The critical review will give an additional impulse to the efforts of eliminating those parts of the teaching contents that create divisions and prejudices,especially in history textbooks,so that its studying can become the key factor in the building of trust between people of different religions.

Historiography and Scientific Research of Religious Buildings of the Cucuteni-Trypillian Culture

The purpose of this article is to reveal the historiography and current state of research related to the cult buildings of the Eneolithic period of the Cucuteni-Trypillian cultural community.The article describes the historical path of archaeological discoveries,from the first Trypillian sanctuaries to the discovery of the largest Nebelivka temple complex in Ukraine in 2012.At the same time,the work partially raises the issue of religious beliefs of the ancient farmers of Central Europe in connection with the discovery of their sacred buildings.Since special scientific works have not comprehensively addressed this issue and are still fragmentary in nature,it is important at the present stage of research to make some coverage and systematization of existing materials on this issue.

Can Religious Pluralism Influence Governance and Societal Cohesion?

This analysis uncovers the complex interplay of religion,politics,and society in Israel,revealing the intricate dynamics of secular and religious ideologies.The study explores the deep ideological rift between secular and religious communities,a divide that profoundly impacts political stability and policymaking.This division often leads to political crises and reshuffling,with the political system characterized by unstable coalition governments.The research is grounded in the divisions over the state’s spiritual ideology,with significant Orthodox influence shaping policy on education,family law,and cultural affairs.The research shows the profound influence of religious parties on Israeli politics,significantly shaping the country’s policies and ideological direction.Influenced by external factors such as security threats and diplomatic challenges,the dynamic interaction between politics and religion shapes Israeli politics since religious parties advocate for policies that align with their interpretation of Jewish religious law,thereby impacting the role of religion in public policy.The influence of religious politics has led to a discernible shift toward greater religious orthodoxy in public life,driven by the political power of religious parties that prioritize religious values above secular democratic principles.The state’s endorsement of religious education and institutions shapes public policy and societal norms.The analysis examines the influence of religious values in public policy and the dynamic interaction between religious and political spheres,aimed to ensure that religion remains dominant in shaping societal norms and governance.This complex relationship demonstrates the ongoing challenges in balancing religious orthodoxy with secular principles,which poses difficulties and has implications for the stability and cohesion of Israeli society.The urgency and complexity of this task cannot be overstated,as it is crucial for the future of Israeli politics and religious dynamics.

初探宗教现象学

宗教现象学是当代西方文化中使用现象学方法来诠释宗教的一种学说,它在理论上与传统宗教的理性实体学说和自然神学理论相区别,一是将宗教的论证方式由外在实体出发转向由人的直观意识出发,二是将对神的论证由理性论证的途径改变为意识直观和生存体验的途径。宗教现象学把人的直观意识体验和生存感受作为其理论的出发点,它同时把宗教理解为前导入的生存的意义纲领。宗教现象学跨越了现象学、存在主义、解释学、心理学、人类学及神学等多个学科,尚有许多理论问题有待进一步澄清。

关于威廉·布莱克的《老虎》的再评定

人们对英国十八世纪的著名诗人威廉·布莱克的“ＴｈｅＴｉｇｅｒ”一诗的争论和分岐颇多。本文作者依据对原诗的理解以及对各种参考资料的综合分析，阐述了作者对“老虎究竟象征着什么？”，“诗文本身到底表达了怎样的思想内容”等问题的一些见解。其中涉及对Ｂｌａｋｅ的生平和宗教信仰的新评定，也有对诗的内容及韵律等方面的再挖掘。

《说文解字》虫部字的宗教文化意蕴

Some characters in Shuowenjiezi? Chongbu have close relation with the chinese ancient time’s primitive religion culture,it conveys the Chinese ancient’s worship of the deity and the ghost,it shows us the primitive religion ideology in Chinese ancient time.

A second thought on religionary theme in Updike＇s works

John Updike is a copious writer having a great influence on contemporary American literary history, whose artistic vision is mainly focused on the daily life of American middle class and their living conditions. The paper discusses the theme of religion in Updike＇s works from the perspectives of religion and science. It also analyzes the diversification of religion and summarizes the relationship between religion and the worldly life in America in the 20th century.

漫谈英语中的拉丁词

《大学英语》(复旦大学主编)精读第一册二单元课文中有这样一个单词:transatlantic(横渡大西洋的)。该词的前缀trans-源于拉丁语,有across,beyond,through的意思。相同前缀的常用词还有transform(转变),transcend(超出),translate(翻译),transmit(传送),transplant(移植),transport(运输)等等。无独有偶,在该精读第三册七单元课文中还有一个拉丁语的输入词semi-(半)

萧伯纳名言集锦(3)(英文)

21.What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge,and not knowledge in pur suit of the child.22.It is most unwise for people in love to marry.23.Behind every successful man,there is a woman and behind every unsuccessful there are two.24.There is only one religion,though there are a hundred versions of it.

Study on Origin and Cultural Connotation of Names in English-speaking Countries

The names in English-speaking countries are full of historical origin and cultural connotation. For the significance of family name and given name, this paper focus on the origin and culture connotation of family name and given name, and also the hidden influences of name played on human beings. Moreover, the relationship between development of society and English name will also be concerned because we can not ignore that the development of society has made great effects to English name.According to the whole essay, we can easily realize the origin and connotation of English name through all my researches and analyses.

The Sacrifice on the Altar-An Analysis of the Conflict between Montanelli's Humanity and Divinity in The Gadfly

Montanelli suffered from the fierce conflict between humanity and divinity in his pursuit of religious belief.As a sacrifice on the altar of God,Montanelli's tragedy reflects the influence of the religion upon his behaviors,his internal spirit and his tragic destiny in the end.Furthermore,it manifests the cruelty and darkness of the religious rule and the distortion of the humankind in his age.

The Religious and Humane Significance of the Death of Two Heroes in Scarlet Letter

Most of Nathaniel Hawthorne's masterpieces are created with the theme of morality,and are used to analysis and reveal"good and evil human nature"through the methods of profound symbolism and delicate psychological description. To reemerge the spirit of The Scarlet Letter,Which is considered as Hawthorne's religious view and humanistic feeling,the death of two heroes in this novel should be analyzed in the aspects of religion and human nature,and even in the aspects of the vocabulary,theme and mental world of main characters.

Language Taboo in Chinese and English Based on Different Cultures

Language taboos are common in all languages all over the world.The taboos refer to some topics,words and language factors that can not or is not suitable in certain cases.There are lots of language taboos in both Chinese and English.As the two languages are studied and taught in the two countries,people find the differences between Chinese and English taboos are com mon and hard to master and use in daily life.This paper analyzes the differences between the two languages'taboos from differ ent point of view to help to master and use the taboos correctly.

On Cultural Analysis of Baldwin's Exodus

In the short story Exodus,James Baldwin sought to create a highly personal literature less with racial conflict than with the complexity of human motivations,by briefly contrasting the two processes of exodus,Baldwin achieved this kind of creation,which is to get behind the Negro problem to find the kind of reality that he really concerned:the process of struggle to bettering one' s lot.

The Influence of Norman Conquest on the development of English Society

Norman Conquest was the last foreign invasion suffered by England.This conquest served as a turning point,after which England was put on the way to becoming powerful.This change resulted from a series of reforms in terms of politics,religion and economy by the conqueror.The present paper attempts to trace these reforms.

Allusions——A Mirror Reflecting Culture Differences between China and the West

Chinese and western cultures,due to various complicated factors,differ from each other greatly.In the essay,the differ ences are examined from three perspectives:religion,legend and literature,the three important branches of culture,which would show the essence of the differences between the two cultures.

政治哲学视域下的宗教民族主义管窥

在当今世界的民族主义新浪潮中,宗教民族主义已日渐成为引人关注的一种民族问题现象。宗教民族主义和世俗的民族主义的区别在于宗教的认同是其价值皈依的载体。它凭藉共同的宗教信仰为联系纽带,以相似的理念为思想中心,以同一宗教的信徒为民众基础,推行带有明显政治目的的主张或政策。