Spirituality is Commonly Experienced as a Source of Protection and/or Comfort, Especially during Troubling Times

“Spirituality is the most important thing in life. It is the pillar of everybody’s heart. It’s like, with spirituality nothing will go wrong.” (Female, NW India)

“I was going there [the mosque] to get a sense of comfort, to feel less pressure about school, to get a sense of the spiritual aspect, to get a reaction.”
(Male, Syria)

“When I got hurt, it was spiritual because when it happened, at the time the bomb exploded, I just stayed relaxed and I didn’t panic and stuff.”
(Male, Malta)

“I think spirituality comes out more definitely in crises than in happy times.”
(Female, 17, U.S.A.)

“Spiritually I believe I did become a lot closer to God after Katrina – because you know, there was a lot of communication going on there … a lot of hoping and praying and pleading that my family, me and my mother who I was separated from, would be okay … as long as you pray you can get through it.” (Female, 14, U.S.A.)

“Spirituality is the power to be sure of yourself.”
(Female, 12, China)

“Spirituality is very important. Everybody needs mental peace at some stage of your life – especially at our age when we are 16 to 18, because you’ve got so many pressures, so much competition. Nowadays, I think, spirituality is required.”
(Female, 17, NW India)

“There is a supernatural power you cannot see that cares and controls everything.”
(Kenya)

“When you are desperate ,it makes you come nearer to God.”
(Kenya)

“Spiritual people are more happy … not always, everybody has their ups and downs. But, you know, they’re more confident. They keep their hopes up [in difficult circumstances].” (Female, 18, U.S.A.)