17 September 2001
Dear Letters Editor
Finding Faith
At the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, we were very interested to read the article, Finding Faith, but we believe that the debate should grow to focus also on the wider aspects of spirituality, not just organised religion.
In a preliminary study on spirituality and people with learning disabilities, which we will be publishing later this year, religion is seen as a part of spirituality. Spirituality is here defined as a human quest for meaning, purpose, self-transcending knowledge, meaningful relationships, love and commitment as well as the sense of the Holy amongst us. A review of the literature suggests that spirituality is a basic human need and indeed a human right which is a necessary component of both physical and mental health.
As Alex Dobson points out in the article, people with learning disabilities will often be very dependent on others for support to meet their own spiritual and religious needs. The Foundation is therefore funding two major research projects to draw to the attention of service providers why, and how, this should best be done.
Readers who would like to be kept informed about the projects can visit our website Spirituality page or write to me at the Foundation.
Yours sincerely
Hazel Morgan
Head of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
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