Ignorance is not a blessing: Aging exists! The Role of Religion, Spirituality, and Belief in the Comprehension and Acceptance of Aging

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable part of life. It brings forth a plethora of changes, both physical and emotional, that can pose several challenges for individuals. In this article, we will delve into the issues associated with aging, explore their impact on daily life, and provide insights on how to navigate through them gracefully. We all know that Aging is nothing more than a natural stage of life. "Aging takes place in a cell, an organ, or the total organism with the passage of time. It is a process that goes on over the entire adult life span of any living thing." [1] Still, while speaking of it, it is mainly surrounded by positive narratives and pleasant thoughts - all of which were created not to highlight the quality and value of old age but to give all those who have not yet reached it a sugarcoated image. Things are entirely different for those approaching or already deep into this [final] stage of life. "Old age [is] heavy clothes" is one of the folk Romanian sayings accom-panying this stage – emphasizing the unwieldiness of this stage. The concept of positive Aging is constantly gaining attention in the literature as an approach to health and well-being that incorporates a range of factors in the lives of older adults. But, religion, through theological explanation, has a different approach to aging and approaching death. Let us see what the depths of religious thinking about aging and theological grounds embodied in religious faiths and practices, making specific behaviors conform to these beliefs. The possibility of controlling aging effects is so biased, as if you were trying to build a dam in the middle of the floods. That is why the conclusion of the study is not limited to the management of the effects of aging or to the recognition of the problems it faces and stipulates a method of approaching aging in advance as pre-vention.