Stop Asking "Is Religion Important?" (And What to Ask Instead)

"Is your religion or spirituality important to you?"

For a long time, this was the standard check-box question on mental health assessments. It’s a Yes or No question. And frankly, it’s a bad question.

The Shift to Open-Ended Inquiry

In my recent work on spiritual competency, I learned a subtle shift that changes everything. Instead of asking if it is important, we should ask:

"In what ways does your religion or spirituality influence your life?"

This invites a narrative. It allows the client to explain the nuance of their practice, their community, and their values. It moves us from checking a box to opening a door.

Why It Matters

According to the Pew Research Center, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with 1.6 billion adherents. If a therapist has no basic understanding of this faith, or doesn't know how to ask about it, they are failing to connect with 23% of the global population.

We don't need to be theologians. We just need to be curious. By changing how we ask the question, we invite the client to bring their whole self into the room.