时代周刊 有宗教信仰更长寿吗?

DO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE LIVE LONGER?

有宗教信仰更长寿吗？

PRAYER HAS BEEN SHOWN to be powerful, in at least one way.

事实表明，祷告真的是有着强大的力量的，至少在下面这种情况下是如此。

It triggers the relaxation¹ response, a state of mind-body rest that has been shown

祷告能够让人遇事不慌，这是一种心身得到放松的状态，事实证明这种状态有助于

to decrease stress, heart rate and blood pressure; alleviate² chronic³ disease symptoms; and even change gene⁴ expression.

减轻压力，降低心率和血压；缓解慢性疾病；甚至还能改变基因的表达。

This state is typically linked to activities like meditation⁵ and yoga,

这种状态通常是和冥想或者瑜伽等活动联系起来的，

and research suggests it can also be found through praying.

然而，研究发现，通过祈祷也能达到这种状态。

Given that uncertainty⁶ and the accumulating evidence supporting communal⁷ religious participation⁸,

鉴于这种不确定性，加上支持参与社区宗教活动的证据越来越来，

Vander Weele says solitary⁹ practitioners¹⁰ might want to consider congregating¹¹ every once in a while.

Vander Weele表示，孤独的信众可能需要考虑每隔一段时间就参加一次集体的宗教活动。

“Might you be missing out on something— the power of religion and spirituality— by not participating communally¹²?” VanderWeele says.

“不参与社区活动的话，或许你会错失一些东西 - 宗教和灵性的力量？”Vander Weele说。

“That’s not saying, ‘You should have religious beliefs to live longer.’

“但这不代表，'要长寿就要信仰宗教。'

That’s saying, ‘You already hold these beliefs. Maybe it would be worthwhile to consider communal participation.’”

而是，'既然你已经有了这些信念，那考虑一下参与社区的集体活动或许也是值得的呢。'”

1 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

2 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。

3 chronic   

adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

参考例句：

• Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
• Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。

4 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

5 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

6 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

7 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

8 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

9 solitary   

adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士

参考例句：

• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
• The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。

10 practitioners   

n.习艺者，实习者( practitioner的名词复数 )；从业者（尤指医师）

参考例句：

• one of the greatest practitioners of science fiction 最了不起的科幻小说家之一
• The technique is experimental, but the list of its practitioners is growing. 这种技术是试验性的，但是采用它的人正在增加。 来自辞典例句

11 congregating   

（使）集合，聚集( congregate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The spatial distribution patterns of larvae and pupae are congregating distribution. 幼虫和蛹的空间分布均为聚集分布。
• He says victims of violence are congregating there because they feel safer. 他说暴力的受害者聚集在这里因为他们觉得更安全。

12 communally   

adv.共同地

参考例句：

• Only when the means of production were communally owned would classes disappear. 只有当生产工具公有时，阶级才会消失。
• The mills were owned communally. 工厂是公有的。