One study shows that someone's religious commitment, such as how often they attended church, was linked with a lower risk of depression, anxiety, suicide, heart disease and death from cancer.
Supposedly religion also gives you a sense of social connection and community, a sense of purpose, and reduces loneliness and isolation.
Well, I know atheists and I know believers, and it's hard to say who's happier, because people aren't necessarily truthful about their inner feelings. People can pretend to be happy when actually they're feeling despondent and pessimistic.
Certainly I'm happy enough despite my very early rejection of religion. So is Jenny. Neither of us feel the need for an external belief system to help us navigate our lives (though I totally respect those who find religion helpful).
It's easy to think of religious people you know who aren't at all happy, but no doubt they're the exception that proves the rule. My mother was religious but ended her life feeling gloomy about her physical and mental decline. Her parents on the other hand (from what I saw of them) were religious and happy.
Of course you can argue that actually I do have an external belief system - socialism. And does it make me happy? That would be a whole new post....
I think the idea of religion making people happier is because humans are social creatures and having a sense of community and fellowship satisfies some of our deep-seated needs for belonging and social contacts. Loneliness is supposedly an epidemic among older folks, which is a disaster for health outcomes, along the lines of smoking and obesity. So I think it's those social ties that make people "happier".
ReplyDeleteMe, I'm an atheist, but I don't intend to sit around in front of the tv, isolated, when I get old. I think there's plenty of ways to satisfy that need for human connection outside organized religion.
Jennifer: As you say, human connection can be found outside organised religion, so atheism doesn't necessarily mean loneliness.
DeleteComforting delusions can make a person happier, and uncomfortable truths can cause anxiety or gloom. Which is more important -- maximum happiness or the most accurate understanding of the world -- is something of a philosophical question.
ReplyDeleteComforting but false beliefs can be dangerous. If I sincerely believed I had a million dollars in the bank, it would make me happy, but if I began behvaing on the basis of that belief, I'd quickly run into problems.
Infidel: I agree, understanding the world is more important than chasing after happiness. So is having a circle of like-minded friends.
DeleteI was raised without religion. My mother was Catholic but wasn't into it. My father had disdain for religion. Hence, I have not carried any of the guilt so many have. People in general want to believe there is order and a reason for things they cannot explain.
ReplyDeleteSandra: That's right, people want an explanation for the inexplicable. It's tragic when that explanation involves guilt and shame.
DeleteI was raised in a religious home but now I'm not religious. I was not a happy kid. lol
ReplyDeleteMary: I know you had a very difficult childhood. A religious household but not a happy one.
DeleteI was raised going to church every Sunday and having our social life centered around that church. But, it really had nothing to do with religion. I did not learn to praise God nor to act as Jesus taught nor to be grateful for my blessings.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: I think a lot of people go to church for a social life and the religion is somewhat secondary.
DeleteMy mother was Orthodox & found great comfort in church. My father never attended but had a sense of faith. Losing his mother at the age of 5 he took comfort in finally meeting her when the time came. Both were relatively happy. As for me, I have beliefs but don't attend church.
ReplyDeletePaula: Religious belief is often centred on the idea of an afterlife and as you say people being reunited after death.
DeleteI think that people who have some sense of hope are generally happier. It does seem that as having a belief system goes down, the rate of suicide goes up.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Yes, I think hope and happiness do go together. And likewise having a belief system gives you a positive outlook.
DeleteNick, religion is the biggest initiator of wars, hate , judgememts , , fear , abuse and exclusion. A poison. Go through human history it starts with the initial sin , Adam and Eve and continues today in the 21st century in telling people how to live , to love, to die . Laws based on the Bible, Thora, Koran really not for me and Saïd
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: That's one of my reservations about religion, that it has led to so much conflict and war around the world. As we know in Northern Ireland, where there's still so much hostility between Protestants and Catholics.
DeleteMinneapolis has a program where they bring kids from Ireland over for the summer. It is interesting when the kids realize the ones they have been playing with are the OTHER religion.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: That's a fascinating exercise. I'd love to see the American kids' reactions.
DeleteI'm quite sure people who are religious are happier. They have surrendered to dogma and authority. They don't have to worry or think too awfully hard about good and evil. I was that way as a child. I'm not anymore. Once you lose that blind faith, it's impossible to get it back.
ReplyDeleteColette: Good point that adhering to dogma makes it easier to recognise good and evil. Yes, once you lose blind faith in anything, it's gone for good.
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