Similar Attitudes Toward Death among Muslims and Christians in Iraq

Abstract

Objective: Knowing people's attitudes towards death is useful in examining people's level of flexibility, problem management, and self-care. The religious and related cultural background of a person may affect their attitude towards death. The current study evaluated Christian and Muslim respondents' attitudes towards death in Iraqi society. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 100 individuals from the two main religious groups (Muslim and Christian) were groupmatched for gender, age, marital status, and personal monthly income. The attitude towards death was measured through a death attitude profile-revised questionnaire, and findings were analysed using SPSS version 20 by applying Pearson correlation and central tendencies. Results: Findings revealed that both religions' followers have no major fear of death and, at the same time, a reasonable approach to acceptance towards death. Overall, religion had no significant effect on participant attitudes towards death, which means both religions' followers share the same approaches and attitudes towards death. Conclusion:From the current research work, it can be concluded that there is no significant impact of religion on individual attitudes towards death and both religions' followers have no major death anxiety. Muslims and Christians have reasonably accepting attitudes towards death as indicated by five-dimensional attitudes toward death scores. Future studies should focus on a larger population from different cultures and religious backgrounds to generalise these findings to other populations and cultural settings.