Unique contributions of religion to meaning

Abstract

A particularly intimate relationship between religion and meaning has long been suggested; however, many sources of meaning are nonreligious. This raises the question of whether religious meaning is distinct from nonreligious meaning. We review empirical evidence suggesting that religion makes unique contributions to global meaning and to the meaning-making processes of situational meaning. In light of this evidence, we conclude that religion appears to make meaning more meaningful. Potential mechanisms include the comprehensiveness of religious beliefs and practices, the sacred as a way of providing significance, particular religious beliefs that speak to meaning, and social components of religion that support meaning. Future studies should document specific characteristics of religious meaning that differentiate it from nonreligious meaning to better understand the interrelationship of meaning and religion.