Introduction

Most medical schools in the United States (such as Harvard University) try to provide an academic answer to the question of “How  religion in collaboration with  public health and everyday medicine could provide relief from  illness and promote human well-being?” During the  last years, leading medical journals report that “religiousness  can be therapeutic” (Lancet), and wonder whether “doctors should prescribe religious practices?” (NEJM), and recommend  “taking  each patient’s spiritual  history” (Mayo Clinic Proc), and also noting  that “today’s physicians overlook the spiritual dimension when dealing with the health of others or even with their own” (JAMA). In Europe, and also  in Greece, a  discussion to change the current trend  that wants medical science separate  from religion and the Church has not yet begun.

The interactive course  “Health and Religion”, which starts on November 4^th, 2021 and ends on June 30^th, 2022, aims to raise  awareness among  medical students, doctors of all ages and specialties, and of anyone  interested in the therapeutic role that religiousness has for our health.  During the course, we will examine how Medicine and Theology can come closer  for the good of patients but also doctors.

Professors of Medicine from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke, well-known Greek theologians and doctors agreed to participate in this online discussion, in which everyone is invited, health workers, theologians, priests, etc. Modern technology and the Internet, will allow  “live” participation  , and the possibility of asking  questions, but also the ability to watch  lectures at a later time.  The course is organized by Prolepsis institute , in collaboration with the Scientific Society of Hellenic Medical Students, and under the auspices of the Athens Medical School.

Dimitris Linos
Emeritus Professor of Surgery
Lecturer Harvard Medical School