NationStates Jolt Archive

Question for survey was cropped: it was supposed to be Do you believe the research results are evidence of Christ’s actual help in individual lives?

Researchers study and find benefits of Christianity, both Catholic and Protestant, similarities and differences…

Medical Research News Article
*Scientists are suggesting that people with religious beliefs are likely to be happier than atheists or agnostics.

*This is not the first research to suggest links between religion and happiness and many psychologists say a belief or its observance, offers benefits.

*It was also found that attending church and praying were also associated with greater satisfaction

*benefit might come from the increased "purpose of life" felt by believers and say the findings are consistent with other studies which suggest that religion does have a positive effect.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=36474

News Report version of same finding:
According to the study, regular churchgoers appeared to cope better with distressful events such as divorce or unemployment.

It concluded that the “stress-buffering” effect varies according to the life event and religious denomination, but “churchgoing and prayer are also associated with greater satisfaction”.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Believe-in-your-faith-to-be-happy/285988/

The summary of the conference agenda .pdf can be found here…
Deliver us from evil: religion as insurance
Andrew Clark
Orsolya Lelkes

This paper focusses on the insurance role of religion in buffering the well‐being impact of stressful life events, and the ensuing economic and social implications. Using two large‐scale European data sets, we show that the religious enjoy higher levels of life satisfaction, and that religion does insure against some adverse life events.

http://www.resconference.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=36

Looks like the conclusion that belief in Christ (Catholic or Protestant) is beneficial on a personal level is well established by the reporting of this article. What say you?

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I don't think a causal pattern has been established. I'd be willing to wager that if you did a similar study comparing those that attend a weekly knitting circle, book review, athletic activity or BDSM club to those that don't would generate very similar results.

What say you?
It’s not particularly surprising, and I believe similar studies have found similar findings with people of all religions, not just Christianity. Having the belief that no matter what, there’s a god or gods that will love and protect you must be pretty comforting, and when you combine that with the sense of community one often gets in a religious group, there’s bound to be some benefits. As LG notes, there's very probably similar benefits to joining any close-knit social group.

Saying that, it’s also pretty comforting believing in a man who brings presents to all the boys and girls of the world on the 25th December, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to believe in Santa.

EDIT: I just re-read the poll. How silly...

I certainly don't believe the research results are evidence of Christ’s actual help in individual lives, but I believe they may be evidence of the help of close-knit social groups and the idea of a ever-present loving god or gods.

I don't think a causal pattern has been established. I'd be willing to wager that if you did a similar study comparing those that attend a weekly knitting circle, book review, athletic activity or BDSM club to those that don't would generate very similar results.

And bi-weekly pieing, if you're any example.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7304393.stm -

Research verifies benefits of owning cats.

Remember, though, kids - Correlation is not causation. Hence we shouldn't all become God-fearing cat owners. After all, both God and cats would smite us for being so shallow.

And bi-weekly pieing, if you're any example.

Oh, I engage in quite a few regular and semi-regular activities. Now that mud season is beginning, It looks like I will be playing renegade football and/or rugby with the guys on mondays again. I've been shedding the winter pudge off all this past month. *nod*

Wait, so in a culture where religious belief is treated with the utmost respect while godlessness is shunned and marginalized, it turns out that religious people tend to be happier than the godless?

Next you'll be telling me that black people tended to be less happy than white people during the Jim Crow era!

Wait, so in a culture where religious belief is treated with the utmost respect while godlessness is shunned and marginalized, it turns out that religious people tend to be happier than the godless?

Next you'll be telling me that black people tended to be less happy than white people during the Jim Crow era!

Which culture are you thinking of? FYI: This research was of European origin.

if anything, this proves that comfort brings happiness.

I'm pretty sure that those who attend anime conventions regularly are also happier than those that don't. *Shrugs*

If they weren't happy, wouldn't that be a reason to get disillusioned with their religion and leave? Seems there might be a bit of self-selection.
What would be more interesting to see is whether people that left their church have become happier for it.

Sounds like an effect similar to that of a placebo. Consider also the 'benefits' of homoeopathy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7304393.stm -

Research verifies benefits of owning cats.

Remember, though, kids - Correlation is not causation. Hence we shouldn't all become God-fearing cat owners. After all, both God and cats would smite us for being so shallow.

This.


I dont buy this survey. I think it has to do with being a part of a community, regardless of what community you are a part of. I also think your title is misleading, as the research does not verify such.

The studies were about religion in general. Why would Jesus be affecting the lives of individual buddhists, or muslims, or hindus?

Your poll is rather misguided, the research said nothing about Christ, only about how religious belief and social situations that derive from it are beneficial. The same could be said to be true of any religion, and, indeed, any close social group, as has been mentioned by others.

Your poll is rather misguided, the research said nothing about Christ, only about how religious belief and social situations that derive from it are beneficial. The same could be said to be true of any religion, and, indeed, any close social group, as has been mentioned by others.

Exactly, this whole thread is misleading. Its about how being part of a community makes one happier, and this poster turned it into proof that gawd is luv and clearly Christ is really the son of gawd because he is making his followers happier, which isnt what the article says at all. But I would expect no less from this poster.

The studies were about religion in general. Why would Jesus be affecting the lives of individual buddhists, or muslims, or hindus?

Your poll is rather misguided, the research said nothing about Christ, only about how religious belief and social situations that derive from it are beneficial. The same could be said to be true of any religion, and, indeed, any close social group, as has been mentioned by others.

I stated what the first article I linked to said: The study wasn't about religion in general, it was about Chirstianity believers.

For the study the researchers from the Paris School of Economics examined data from household surveys across Europe in order to analyse the attitudes of Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, not only to their own happiness, but also to issues such as unemployment.

I do believe there is something to this.

I belong to a hospital sponsored cancer group that has been an enormous help in dealing with a very life threatening, extremely stressful disease and I have seen over the last two years that those in that group that do follow a religious faith (any religious faith...including faiths such as wicca) are at more peace with all that is happening to them. They are generally easier comforted and more accepting of what is happening. We are very close knit and it is very comforting to be in a social setting that shares common ground...I am not discounting that value.

For whatever reasons, those in our group without any religious affiliations exhibit much more anger and have a harder time dealing with cancer at all phases but more so in the terminal phases...not only thiers but our friends in group who are terminal also.

I am not saying the study is conclusive, I am just saying what I have observed in others during my journey dealing with cancer. It is interesting.

I do believe there is something to this.

I belong to a hospital sponsored cancer group that has been an enormous help in dealing with a very life threatening, extremely stressful disease and I have seen over the last two years that those in that group that do follow a religious faith (any religious faith...including faiths such as wicca) are at more peace with all that is happening to them. They are generally easier comforted and more accepting of what is happening. We are very close knit and it is very comforting to be in a social setting that shares common ground...I am not discounting that value.

For whatever reasons, those in our group without any religious affiliations exhibit much more anger and have a harder time dealing with cancer at all phases but more so in the terminal phases...not only thiers but our friends in group who are terminal also.

I am not saying the study is conclusive, I am just saying what I have observed in others during my journey dealing with cancer. It is interesting.

while a good attitude makes for a better quality of life, attitude has no effect on whether or not the cancer will kill you. (except, i suppose, those people whose negative attitude causes them to stop treatment)

Your poll misses the spiritual but not religious (as in those who believe in a supernatural yet really dislike religion *to put it mildly*)

I also think it's a placebo effect.

I stated what the first article I linked to said: The study wasn't about religion in general, it was about Chirstianity believers.

For the study the researchers from the Paris School of Economics examined data from household surveys across Europe in order to analyse the attitudes of Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, not only to their own happiness, but also to issues such as unemployment.

Ooops. Well, the other points still stand.

while a good attitude makes for a better quality of life, attitude has no effect on whether or not the cancer will kill you. (except, i suppose, those people whose negative attitude causes them to stop treatment)

I think you will find that the cancer community both patients and medical will disagree with that. A person's attitude has a profound affect on the quality of life when dealing with cancer. Our hospital employs a huge staff of people to help patients deal with it and develop better attitudes regarding it.

Many people with terminal cancer have lived far longer than expected. They often share a positive attitude about the value of life. They also seem to have a combination of hope, endurance, willpower, and courage. When asked to explain how they have managed, they often give answers such as, "I'm needed too much at work," or "I can't die until my grandchild is born." They do not want to give up or retreat from living. A keen interest in daily events helps to get them through uncomfortable treatments or disease-related problems.

This does not mean that a positive attitude alone necessarily will lengthen your life. Nor does it mean that you are doing something wrong if you are sick and not getting better. But emphasizing the positive aspects of your life can add meaning, purpose, and comfort to your remaining time.

http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/doc.aspx?viewid=15d1eaa4-34fb-4182-98a8-f5d6b63b19b6&docid=7E0AD1F0-D924-4967-9513-6BF45BD564C7


You can find numerous studies and articles on the subject.

You may choose not to believe it makes a difference but those of us who deal with it everyday and our doctors will tell you that it does make a difference.

It concluded that the “stress-buffering” effect varies according to the life event and religious denomination, but “churchgoing and prayer are also associated with greater satisfaction”.

Hardly surprising: regular church attendance indicates that the church-goer is in reasonably good health and has enough spare time to spend their Sunday morning at a religious service, both conditions which would be conducive to improved mental wellbeing. As for benefits of prayer, I suspect that pretty much anyone who took time out of their day for self-reflection would see improvements (it also serves as an indicator of free time). In summary: Meh! :p

Good to see you again by the way. :)

So when the religious get divorced or lose a job, they just mindlessly go on being happy?

Sounds about right: delusional bastards. Personally, I think it's perfectly healthy to admit that sometimes... well, life sucks.

So when the religious get divorced or lose a job, they just mindlessly go on being happy?

Sounds about right: delusional bastards. Personally, I think it's perfectly healthy to admit that sometimes... well, life sucks.

It isn't a question of whether life sucks or not, of course it does at times. I have lost jobs, been divorced, had drama and trauma in my life just like the next person. But I find prayer comforts me and a positive attitude that trials and tribulations are all part of life does help me see through it all. Doesn't mean life doesn't suck at times, nor does it mean I don't get upset by it all...it just means I have an outlet that helps me find peace of mind. ;)

positive attitudes have long been shown to reduce stress and stress has been linked to health risks more times than I can count. And I can count up to eleventy.

So when the religious get divorced or lose a job, they just mindlessly go on being happy?

Sounds about right: delusional bastards. Personally, I think it's perfectly healthy to admit that sometimes... well, life sucks.
I'm a Christian and I know life sucks. I just know that I have something to look forward to when I die.:D

Being a former Christian, I can attest that Christianity does a LOT to people in need.

I have two uncles who were drug addicts and alcoholics and then turned around and became Lutheran pastors, and are now dry from the drink and family men.

Voltaire (http://www2.bc.edu/~garveyjb/story_of_a_good_brahman.htm) kinda already came up with this about 250 years ago.

Hardly surprising: regular church attendance indicates that the church-goer is in reasonably good health and has enough spare time to spend their Sunday morning at a religious service, both conditions which would be conducive to improved mental wellbeing. As for benefits of prayer, I suspect that pretty much anyone who took time out of their day for self-reflection would see improvements (it also serves as an indicator of free time). In summary: Meh! :p

Your suggestion that church attendance is evidence of overall good health would be better IF the research was done in hospitals, but otherwise I would have to assume that the overall "bed-ridden-ness of society at large" is low enough to be a non-factor in the surevy results :p

Good to see you again by the way. :)
right back at ya, and good to see you too :)

I stated what the first article I linked to said: The study wasn't about religion in general, it was about Chirstianity believers.

For the study the researchers from the Paris School of Economics examined data from household surveys across Europe in order to analyse the attitudes of Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, not only to their own happiness, but also to issues such as unemployment.

No researcher would ever suggest this only applies to Christians. The studies were carried out in a Christian-majority culture to gain an insight into differences between religious and non-religious. All of the articles speak of the benefits of having faith, not about the benefits of Jesus specifically, it just happens the studies were carried out on a Christian-majority culture; the same results would have been found in any other culture.

In fact, such a survey might much harder to complete in some countries due to the prevalence of religious people, but Europe was ideal due to the large number of atheistic groups.

And I can count up to eleventy.

Oo, please share this secret of counting, great master.

Makes perfect sense to me. Their lives are in the hands of god, they don't really have to worry about anything, do they?

Does it change my beliefs any? Not at all. I think I'm quite happy outside of the restraints of religion.

Oo, please share this secret of counting, great master.

just stop before you get to twelvety silly

Question for survey was cropped: it was supposed to be Do you believe the research results are evidence of Christ’s actual help in individual lives?

Researchers study and find benefits of Christianity, both Catholic and Protestant, similarities and differences…

Did they study the effects of other religions or was it just a biased study?

I think you will find that the cancer community both patients and medical will disagree with that. A person's attitude has a profound affect on the quality of life when dealing with cancer. Our hospital employs a huge staff of people to help patients deal with it and develop better attitudes regarding it.



http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/doc.aspx?viewid=15d1eaa4-34fb-4182-98a8-f5d6b63b19b6&docid=7E0AD1F0-D924-4967-9513-6BF45BD564C7


You can find numerous studies and articles on the subject.

You may choose not to believe it makes a difference but those of us who deal with it everyday and our doctors will tell you that it does make a difference.

its wishful thinking. actual studies done of people from the beginning of treatment to end of treatment show that attitude is irrelevant.

I believe the results are nothing more than a boost in happiness that probably comes with feeling like your life isn't going to come to an inevitable end and be completely over - that the reason for your existence is explained and you've got a nice, fuzzy, happy afterlife to look forward to.

Do I think it necessarily makes atheists UN-happy (or less happy)? No. I just think the things that make us happy are more grounded in reality.

Your suggestion that church attendance is evidence of overall good health would be better IF the research was done in hospitals, but otherwise I would have to assume that the overall "bed-ridden-ness of society at large" is low enough to be a non-factor in the surevy results :p

I was working on the assumption that, as most church-going Europeans are pretty elderly, if they were being compared to other old people then being able to walk to the local church would be a significant factor. Unfortunately I'm too lazy to look for more details at the moment. :(

its wishful thinking. actual studies done of people from the beginning of treatment to end of treatment show that attitude is irrelevant.

Well I'll take my odds with the National Cancer Institute's thoughts on this rather than yours if it's all the same to you. ;)

Well I'll take my odds with the National Cancer Institute's thoughts on this rather than yours if it's all the same to you. ;)Wouldn't it be better to take your odds on actual research?

Such as from the journal Cancer (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117345827/issue), the articleEmotional well-being does not predict survival in head and neck cancer patients : A radiation therapy oncology group study (p 2568-2575)
James C. Coyne, Thomas F. Pajak, Jonathan Harris, Andre Konski, Benjamin Movsas, Kian Ang, Deborah Watkins Bruner
Published Online: Oct 22 2007 9:51AM
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23080

I'm a totemist and my daily respects paid to my hawk spirit-guide make me very happy.

There's nothing special about Christianity that makes it any better or more effective than any more religion (and I'm quite sure this study was done on religious beliefs in general). So, no, I don't think any of this has to do with Jesus (who's meddling resurrection closed stores yesterday and kept me from picking up Unreal Tournament 2k4).

It isn't a question of whether life sucks or not, of course it does at times. I have lost jobs, been divorced, had drama and trauma in my life just like the next person. But I find prayer comforts me and a positive attitude that trials and tribulations are all part of life does help me see through it all. Doesn't mean life doesn't suck at times, nor does it mean I don't get upset by it all...it just means I have an outlet that helps me find peace of mind. ;)Hey, I'm just saying this is no surprise to me.

"Opium of the people," right?

Don't get pissed that you're getting stepped on. Be grateful that your imaginary friend loves you.

Wouldn't it be better to take your odds on actual research?

Such as from the journal Cancer (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117345827/issue), the article


Interesting trial, but isn't what I was saying at all. The conclusion drawn from this trial is simply :


The current results add to the weight of the evidence that emotional functioning is not an independent predictor of survival in cancer patients.

Not anywhere in this thread did anyone say emotional functioning was an independent predictor of survival. What has been said is that a positive attitude does have an affect on ones health.

going along (or maintaining an appearance of doing so) with whatever beliefs are dominant in the society you are surrounded by, does tend to improve the odds of not being socially and economically discriminated against.

i think that's pretty much the beginning and end of THIS question though.

we deceive ourselves to imagine only what we know is possible.
we equally deceive ourselves when we begin to imagine we know anything about what we do not.

of course by loving something in common we are less likely to beat each other over the head. it gets tricky though, when you start beating people over the head for not loving the same thing in common as you do, or thinking they don't because they call it by different names and express their love for it differently.

=^^=
.../\...

Yeah, religion would probably make me happier. I've never really doubted that. But I'd have to make one up, or else I'd feel guilty about participating in institutions that promote bigotry and oppression... and I'm lazy. I don't want to go to all the trouble of writing a holy text, making up rituals, etc.

And eventually the lack of any kind of a rational basis for such a belief would get to me. Conscious self-delusion is possible, surely--I've managed it before with religious faith--but it has its limits.

(Not to mention... all my friends would wonder, "What happened to [Soheran]?" My reputation as a militant fire-breathing atheist would be forever ruined.)

Nobody has considered the possibility that the causality runs in the opposite direction: people who are, already, chirpy/pissy by temperament are more/less likely to believe in religion, consequently.

Hey, I'm just saying this is no surprise to me.

"Opium of the people," right?

Don't get pissed that you're getting stepped on. Be grateful that your imaginary friend loves you.

A:"Opium of the masses" not opium fo the people. That would mena Marx wasn't a person. That leaves smart gorrila or god incarnate. I'm thinking if he was god he wouldn't be anti-religion.
B: He does love him and you and he isn't imaginary.

I know plenty of pissy people who are also religious. True religion isn't all sunshine and kittens, that's just the kind of motivational speech BS people like Joel Osteen and his wife spew to make people feel better about their shortcomings. It even says in the Bible, for God's sake: the path to Heaven is narrow. Life is supposed to be a challenge for the ideal believer, and belief alone doesn't solve all your problems.

Any other happy atheists out there want to join with me in disputing this load of nonsense?

"Opium of the masses" not opium of the people.Actually, it's neither, since the text was written in German.

More to the point, either is a fine translation, since "the people" (as opposed to "people") may be taken in a sense synonymous with "the masses." Much as the Greek demos ("people") referred to the common class, the mass.

A:"Opium of the masses" not opium fo the people. That would mena Marx wasn't a person. That leaves smart gorrila or god incarnate. I'm thinking if he was god he wouldn't be anti-religion.

If I were a god I'd despise religion for twisting my words into an utter horror-show.

Any other happy atheists out there want to join with me in disputing this load of nonsense?
The report isn’t claiming, AFAIK, that atheists aren’t happy, and I think you’d have a hard time disputing it; there’s been plenty of similar reports. It’s pretty straight-forward when you think about it: believers always have their invisible friend(s) to back them up, so they are generally less stressed out and the like.

Anyhoo, I don’t think there’s anything to get angry/upset about. I wouldn’t follow religious practices that I see as nothing but empty nonsense merely because they have some benefits.

As I said before, I’m sure there’s some benefits in believing that Santa exist, but I’m not going to suddenly believe in Santa purely on the basis of health benefits.

There are benefits to religion, certainly, but the price is too high. It would be desireable to separate the positive aspects from the negative aspects.

Your not god though. I think he does despise it when people twist the bible to fit their meaning.

Brave Men Road: Quite true. The bible does say the road is strait and narrow. However god does give us hope to make it through the rougher more naroow spots.

Any other happy atheists out there want to join with me in disputing this load of nonsense?

I'd say someone is just confusion coincidence with causation.

I was wearing red shoes when both times I won 20 Euros in the lottery. Doesn't mean that wearing red shoes have any influence on me winning the lottery.
Same with religion and happiness.

I'll say this - I'll freely admit that I'm probably a lot less "happy" in temperament than your average believer. The reason for that is because of believers. Certain groups of them do their damnedest to impede freedom and cause nothing but unrest and persecution for people who aren't interested in their particular mythology.

I think I'd be a LOT happier, as an atheist, if believers in general could keep it to themselves, learn that disagreeing with things like homosexuality doesn't mean no one else should have the right to treat their homosexual relationships in the same fashion as they treat their heterosexual ones. Or, because they happen to believe that their fetuses are special or endowed with a soul doesn't mean everyone else does.

Believe all you want, you wouldn't hear a peep from most rational atheists and agnostics. It's when they try to further justify those beliefs through forced adherence (namely, through legislation) that causes the majority of stress and hostility from non-believers.

I'd say someone is just confusion coincidence with causation.

I was wearing red shoes when both times I won 20 Euros in the lottery. Doesn't mean that wearing red shoes have any influence on me winning the lottery.
Same with religion and happiness.
Maybe, but I think the study concluded that religion and happiness were connected.
This doesn't mean that Jesus gives special favor to his flock, though. If you're religious, you are more likely to have a mission in life, be at peace with the cosmos, and have a community you can turn to when you're in trouble. (The community in particular may be why a Christian in the US is more likely to be happy than, say, a Baha'ist.) Non-religous people can achieve this just as well as Christians, they're just statistically less common.

I'd say someone is just confusion coincidence with causation.

I was wearing red shoes when both times I won 20 Euros in the lottery. Doesn't mean that wearing red shoes have any influence on me winning the lottery.
Same with religion and happiness.
And that's how religion got started in the first place, right? Confusing coincidence with causality: Follow the Shoe, the Holy Shoe of Jerusalem!

I'm an atheist and possibly the happiest person on NSG. Seriously, all the happiness-induced smiling left me with the beginning of crow's feet even though I'm only 28. :/

Question for survey was cropped: it was supposed to be Do you believe the research results are evidence of Christ’s actual help in individual lives?

Researchers study and find benefits of Christianity, both Catholic and Protestant, similarities and differences…

Medical Research News Article
*Scientists are suggesting that people with religious beliefs are likely to be happier than atheists or agnostics.

*This is not the first research to suggest links between religion and happiness and many psychologists say a belief or its observance, offers benefits.

*It was also found that attending church and praying were also associated with greater satisfaction

*benefit might come from the increased "purpose of life" felt by believers and say the findings are consistent with other studies which suggest that religion does have a positive effect.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=36474

News Report version of same finding:
According to the study, regular churchgoers appeared to cope better with distressful events such as divorce or unemployment.

It concluded that the “stress-buffering” effect varies according to the life event and religious denomination, but “churchgoing and prayer are also associated with greater satisfaction”.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Believe-in-your-faith-to-be-happy/285988/

The summary of the conference agenda .pdf can be found here…
Deliver us from evil: religion as insurance
Andrew Clark
Orsolya Lelkes

This paper focusses on the insurance role of religion in buffering the well‐being impact of stressful life events, and the ensuing economic and social implications. Using two large‐scale European data sets, we show that the religious enjoy higher levels of life satisfaction, and that religion does insure against some adverse life events.

http://www.resconference.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=36

Looks like the conclusion that belief in Christ (Catholic or Protestant) is beneficial on a personal level is well established by the reporting of this article. What say you?

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Um. You might want to check out the actual study -- of which an earlier version can be found here (http://www.pse.ens.fr/document/wp200543.pdf) (pdf) (and if that doesn't work, here (http://ideas.repec.org/p/pse/psecon/2005-43.html)).

I would particularly note the following:

1. The social insurance benefits are not unique to Christianity. There goes your whole thesis.

2. Although Catholic and Protestant beliefs are stress-buffering for some events like unemployment, different denominations can make stressful events more harmful psychologically. For example, Roman Catholics are more negatively effected by divorce than the non-religious. Roman Catholics for some reason, however, are better able to deal with separation than Protestants -- even though Protestants are buffered from divorce. Roman Catholics are also more negatively effected by widowhood.

Earlier version? Isn't the more recent version more reliable just because it is more recent.
I would agree however that religion in general benefits people.
As to your points about divorce and stuff like that, I think you just chalk it up to specific beliefs and practices fo different denominations.

Earlier version? Isn't the more recent version more reliable just because it is more recent.

Feel free to provide a link to the more recent version -- rather than just rely on brief press clips supposedly summarizing it (or, as the OP does, rely on a single sentence from one press clip).

The study is the same. There is just a more recent version of the paper about the study. It is highly doubtful that major results -- like whether Christianity had a benefit over other religions -- would be significantly different.

Um. You might want to check out the actual study -- of which an earlier version can be found here (http://www.pse.ens.fr/document/wp200543.pdf) (pdf) (and if that doesn't work, here (http://ideas.repec.org/p/pse/psecon/2005-43.html)).

I would particularly note the following:

1. The social insurance benefits are not unique to Christianity. There goes your whole thesis.

2. Although Catholic and Protestant beliefs are stress-buffering for some events like unemployment, different denominations can make stressful events more harmful psychologically. For example, Roman Catholics are more negatively effected by divorce than the non-religious. Roman Catholics for some reason, however, are better able to deal with separation than Protestants -- even though Protestants are buffered from divorce. Roman Catholics are also more negatively effected by widowhood.
*Dons Grammar Nazi outfit and swoops down on TCT*
I believe you mean "...are more negatively affected by divorce..."
*Puts GN costume back in the magical pocket of superhero costumes and resumes life as mild-mannered New Limacon*

The report isn’t claiming, AFAIK, that atheists aren’t happy, and I think you’d have a hard time disputing it; there’s been plenty of similar reports. It’s pretty straight-forward when you think about it: believers always have their invisible friend(s) to back them up, so they are generally less stressed out and the like.

Anyhoo, I don’t think there’s anything to get angry/upset about. I wouldn’t follow religious practices that I see as nothing but empty nonsense merely because they have some benefits.

As I said before, I’m sure there’s some benefits in believing that Santa exist, but I’m not going to suddenly believe in Santa purely on the basis of health benefits.

I'd think that the specter of a wrathful, vengeful deity hanging over you all the time might make one less secure... With all that talk about "God-fearing", and God's punishment, wouldn't that make people who subscribe to these notion's less secure?

I'd say someone is just confusion coincidence with causation.

I was wearing red shoes when both times I won 20 Euros in the lottery. Doesn't mean that wearing red shoes have any influence on me winning the lottery.
Same with religion and happiness.

Very clearly, the red shoes helped you win the lottery. The Holy Logic of the Study and the Faithful mustn't ever be questioned. Ever. ;)

There are benefits to religion, certainly, but the price is too high. It would be desireable to separate the positive aspects from the negative aspects.

the really cool thing is that if you WAIT until you are in extreme need christian groups will still come to your aid in hope that they will convert you before you die. you can easily maximize the benefits and minimize the detriments. at least the personal ones.

I'd think that the specter of a wrathful, vengeful deity hanging over you all the time might make one less secure... With all that talk about "God-fearing", and God's punishment, wouldn't that make people who subscribe to these notion's less secure?

Not at all. You're forgetting the nature of Christianity: Christ's sacrifice grants us salvation we don't deserve.

As long as you have faith, then, you don't need to worry. Which means that while you are obligated to make an honest effort to do good--that is part of faith--if you fail, you need not be overly concerned. After all, you're just a sinful human being anyway. God will forgive you.

That's one respect where the morality of an atheist can be more rigid.

Not at all. You're forgetting the nature of Christianity: Christ's sacrifice grants us salvation we don't deserve.

As long as you have faith, then, you don't need to worry. Which means that while you are obligated to make an honest effort to do good--that is part of faith--if you fail, you need not be overly concerned. After all, you're just a sinful human being anyway. God will forgive you.

That's one respect where the morality of an atheist can be more rigid.

The Christians that live around me don't seem to emphasize this part all too much. I guess it's a problem of my perspective, living in conservative, rural Montana. Lot's of Old Testament type stuff, and a lot of insecure old religious people.

The Christians that live around me don't seem to emphasize this part all too much. I guess it's a problem of my perspective, living in conservative, rural Montana. Lot's of Old Testament type stuff, and a lot of insecure old religious people.

I've never understood the fascination some Christians hold with the Old Testament. It's important, of course, but the part that distinguishes Christians from Jews is in the New Testament.

Before anything else, thank you very much for the link. I don't know what changes are in the new one yet (if any) and until they release the media lockout I won't know. But thank you for this older link all the same.

Um. You might want to check out the actual study -- of which an earlier version can be found here (http://www.pse.ens.fr/document/wp200543.pdf) (pdf) (and if that doesn't work, here (http://ideas.repec.org/p/pse/psecon/2005-43.html)).

I would particularly note the following:

1. The social insurance benefits are not unique to Christianity. There goes your whole thesis.

The whole theses is lost how exactly? ALL of the data, let me repeat that, ALL of the data in the charts are based on "Catholic, Protestant, other and non-religious." How then am I unable to make statements about Catholics and protestant Christians based on those results? You are being disingenuous for some unknown reason.

2. Although Catholic and Protestant beliefs are stress-buffering for some events like unemployment, different denominations can make stressful events more harmful psychologically. For example, Roman Catholics are more negatively effected by divorce than the non-religious. Roman Catholics for some reason, however, are better able to deal with separation than Protestants -- even though Protestants are buffered from divorce. Roman Catholics are also more negatively effected by widowhood.

And this means what?

How about we quote your link's own "Conclusions"

We provide large-scale multi-country evidence of a stress-buffering effect from religion by asking whether adverse life events (separation, divorce, widowhood and unemployment) “matter” less for the religious, in terms of their reported life satisfaction. We introduce both main and interaction effects of religion in life satisfaction equations; and pay careful attention to different denominations and religiosity measures (church attendance and personal prayer).

We find, as is typical, that the religious report higher life satisfaction. The estimated coefficients on the Roman Catholic and Protestant variables are both positive and significant, and are similar in size. Over and above denomination, churchgoing and prayer are also associated with greater satisfaction. Religion tempers the impact of adverse life events: it has current, as opposed to after-life rewards.

My "thesis" (as you called the OP) did NOT compare Christianity to other religions nor did I misrepresent what the articles and research reports.

So much for your honesty though.

I've never understood the fascination some Christians hold with the Old Testament. It's important, of course, but the part that distinguishes Christians from Jews is in the New Testament.

I think they're more honest, if still annoying. You can't just cast that part off. The Old Testament was the fire, brimstone, flood-sending, Sodom-smiting stuff and it should be owned, I think. I mean, if the entire Bible is truth, then that was (and probably is) "god".

Sure, there was Jesus and all. But then again, the poor man died because his father simply couldn't curb his own temper. Strung up like a side of beef when all his dad needed to do was take a Xanax and chill.

But, "The Lord works in mysterious ways", or so I continuously hear. It is not for us to question and so on and so forth. Whatever.

I think they're more honest, if still annoying. You can't just cast that part off. The Old Testament was the fire, brimstone, flood-sending, Sodom-smiting stuff and it should be owned, I think. I mean, if the entire Bible is truth, then that was (and probably is) "god".

Sure, there was Jesus and all. But then again, the poor man died because his father simply couldn't curb his own temper. Strung up like a side of beef when all his dad needed to do was take a Xanax and chill.

But, "The Lord works in mysterious ways", or so I continuously hear. It is not for us to question and so on and so forth. Whatever.

You can't cast it off, but it doesn't make sense for Christians to read it in a context that doesn't contain the New Testament. Christ was not just a clarification on what God wanted, his coming was a historical event that actually changed some things. (How many Christians do you know that eat kosher?)

Before anything else, thank you very much for the link. I don't know what changes are in the new one yet (if any) and until they release the media lockout I won't know. But thank you for this older link all the same.

You're most welcome. I also find it helpful if one can read an actual study, rather than media spin.

The whole theses is lost how exactly? ALL of the data, let me repeat that, ALL of the data in the charts are based on "Catholic, Protestant, other and non-religious." How then am I unable to make statements about Catholics and protestant Christians based on those results? You are being disingenuous for some unknown reason.

And this means what?

How about we quote your link's own "Conclusions"

*snip*

My "thesis" (as you called the OP) did NOT compare Christianity to other religions nor did I misrepresent what the articles and research reports.

So much for your honesty though.

Perhaps you forgot that you made the bolded statements below, which are specific to a belief in Christ and are not supported by the study.

I'm not attacking your honesty--as one of the articles you cited did specify Catholics and Protestants only--but that isn't reflected in the actual data or the published study. Also, with the exception of that one line in the one article, nothing you cited was specific to a belief in Christ rather than a belief in "other" religions.

Question for survey was cropped: it was supposed to be Do you believe the research results are evidence of Christ’s actual help in individual lives?

Researchers study and find benefits of Christianity, both Catholic and Protestant, similarities and differences…

Medical Research News Article
*Scientists are suggesting that people with religious beliefs are likely to be happier than atheists or agnostics.

*This is not the first research to suggest links between religion and happiness and many psychologists say a belief or its observance, offers benefits.

*It was also found that attending church and praying were also associated with greater satisfaction

*benefit might come from the increased "purpose of life" felt by believers and say the findings are consistent with other studies which suggest that religion does have a positive effect.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=36474

News Report version of same finding:
According to the study, regular churchgoers appeared to cope better with distressful events such as divorce or unemployment.

It concluded that the “stress-buffering” effect varies according to the life event and religious denomination, but “churchgoing and prayer are also associated with greater satisfaction”.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Believe-in-your-faith-to-be-happy/285988/

The summary of the conference agenda .pdf can be found here…
Deliver us from evil: religion as insurance
Andrew Clark
Orsolya Lelkes

This paper focusses on the insurance role of religion in buffering the well‐being impact of stressful life events, and the ensuing economic and social implications. Using two large‐scale European data sets, we show that the religious enjoy higher levels of life satisfaction, and that religion does insure against some adverse life events.

http://www.resconference.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=36

Looks like the conclusion that belief in Christ (Catholic or Protestant) is beneficial on a personal level is well established by the reporting of this article. What say you?

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

EDIT: And when Ifreann and Extreme Ironing tried to assert that the research was about religion in general and not specifically a belief in Christ, you objected that they were wrong. Admittedly you did so based on the one line from the one article, but the fact is YOU were the one that was wrong.


The studies were about religion in general. Why would Jesus be affecting the lives of individual buddhists, or muslims, or hindus?

Your poll is rather misguided, the research said nothing about Christ, only about how religious belief and social situations that derive from it are beneficial. The same could be said to be true of any religion, and, indeed, any close social group, as has been mentioned by others.

I stated what the first article I linked to said: The study wasn't about religion in general, it was about Chirstianity believers.

For the study the researchers from the Paris School of Economics examined data from household surveys across Europe in order to analyse the attitudes of Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, not only to their own happiness, but also to issues such as unemployment.

You can't cast it off, but it doesn't make sense for Christians to read it in a context that doesn't contain the New Testament. Christ was not just a clarification on what God wanted, his coming was a historical event that actually changed some things. (How many Christians do you know that eat kosher?)

Well, it makes perfect sense. If they disregarded THAT part, then they'd have little justification to hold on to things like mistrust of homosexuals, declining birth control/abortion, the male being the head of the household, waiting until marriage for sex, and other peculiarities that really have no relevance today.

Astounding how many atheists put no when the article criticizes them.

Perhaps you forgot that you made the bolded statements below, which are specific to a belief in Christ and are not supported by the study.

I'm not attacking your honesty--as one of the articles you cited did specify Catholics and Protestants only--but that isn't reflected in the actual data or the published study.

But it IS reflected in the actual data of the study, the data is compiled in Catholic/Protestant columns, NOT all or other religions, the research data is collected from Christian surveys, not other religions. Where exactly did you get this 1. The social insurance benefits are not unique to Christianity. There goes your whole thesis. anyway, I can't find it with a search of the report link your provided. I'm not arguing with it, just saying the data is Christian specific, not general religion.

As to the bolded parts of mine, the first bolded part was the question for the survey, not a statement that I made. The second bolded part was the benefits of "Christianity" because ONLY Catholic and Protestant results are in the data given... There can be no Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Wiccan results (etc.) in the question because no data for those religions was given to us from this research for other religions.

EDIT: And when Ifreann and Extreme Ironing tried to assert that the research was about religion in general and not specifically a belief in Christ, you objected that they were wrong. Admittedly you did so based on the one line from the one article, but the fact is YOU were the one that was wrong.

I fail to see how I was wrong, outside of your "1." I can't find that statement or your conclusion represented in the research paper you linked to nor in the articles I linked to. I think it is you who is mistaken.

Astounding how many atheists put no when the article criticizes them.

the article doesnt reflect the poll question.

<snip>

Well, I used to be highly religious and I had significantly less stress... could be that I was much younger. Of course, not everyone is the same as me... and it is just an ancedote.

Though, on a side note, I've seen research studies related to "life happiness levels" and other such highly subjunctive measurements. They're largely full of crap. It's such an uncertain, complicated, and subjunctive variable to try to measure empirically.

Mmm. Missed him/her.
*pats belly*

So when the religious get divorced or lose a job, they just mindlessly go on being happy?

Sounds about right: delusional bastards. Personally, I think it's perfectly healthy to admit that sometimes... well, life sucks.Mindlessly happy or mindlessly unhappy, it's your choice. And equally mindless. Meh.

And for something far, far more efficient than religion, try a philosophy along the lines of Stoicism.

But it IS reflected in the actual data of the study, the data is compiled in Catholic/Protestant columns, NOT all or other religions, the research data is collected from Christian surveys, not other religions.

Not true.

The ESS includes three distinct measures of religiosity: (1) denomination; (2) church attendance; and (3) personal prayer.

The most prevalent denominations in Europe are Roman Catholic and Protestant, covering 40% and 16% of respondents respectively (Table 1). A number of other religions were mentioned, which we have grouped together as “Other religion”, making up 6% of the total sample (this group is
predominantly Eastern Orthodox, 62%, Other Christians, 20%, and Muslim, 12%). Last, almost forty per cent of respondents say that they do not belong to any particular religion.

So, from the beggining the data includes results for Roman Catholics, Protestants, Other Religion, and non-religious. The data also includes church goes and prayers independent of denomination. When the study refer to the religious it means anyone who falls within the set denominations, goes to church, or prays. There is nothing in the data that appears to set out a special effect felt by only Catholics and Protestants -- or even by all Christians.

Where exactly did you get this 1. The social insurance benefits are not unique to Christianity. There goes your whole thesis. anyway, I can't find it with a search of the report link your provided. I'm not arguing with it, just saying the data is Christian specific, not general religion.

Again, the data is NOT Christian specific, as it includes among the religious those with religious views other than Christiantity.

You will search the study in vain for a single reference to unique benefits of Christianity -- let alone evidence of Christ working in the lives of believers.

As to the bolded parts of mine, the first bolded part was the question for the survey, not a statement that I made. The second bolded part was the benefits of "Christianity" because ONLY Catholic and Protestant results are in the data given... There can be no Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Wiccan results (etc.) in the question because no data for those religions was given to us from this research for other religions.

Again, not true. The study didn't breakout separate results for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or Wiccans -- but it did include them in its generic findings about the "religious" versus the "non-religious."

I fail to see how I was wrong, outside of your "1." I can't find that statement or your conclusion represented in the research paper you linked to nor in the articles I linked to. I think it is you who is mistaken.

Again, feel free to point to where the study gives specific insurance benefit from Christianity, but not from religion in general. Guess what? It doesn't.


2. Although Catholic and Protestant beliefs are stress-buffering for some events like unemployment, different denominations can make stressful events more harmful psychologically. For example, Roman Catholics are more negatively effected by divorce than the non-religious. Roman Catholics for some reason, however, are better able to deal with separation than Protestants -- even though Protestants are buffered from divorce. Roman Catholics are also more negatively effected by widowhood.
And this means what?

The study shows not just stress-buffering benefits from some denominations -- or gerneral benefit from religion in general -- but also stress-worsening effects from some demoninations. Surely you can see how this undermines your suggestion that the study results are evidence of Christ helping out believers. Perhaps you could claim that Christ is punishing Roman Catholics for divorce, but that wouldn't explain why Christ doesn't punish Protestants for divorce or why Christ would punish widows. It just goes to show that the study results are based on social and psychological factors, rather than mystical ones.

How about we quote your link's own "Conclusions"
We provide large-scale multi-country evidence of a stress-buffering effect from religion by asking whether adverse life events (separation, divorce, widowhood and unemployment) “matter” less for the religious, in terms of their reported life satisfaction. We introduce both main and interaction effects of religion in life satisfaction equations; and pay careful attention to different denominations and religiosity measures (church attendance and personal prayer).

We find, as is typical, that the religious report higher life satisfaction. The estimated coefficients on the Roman Catholic and Protestant variables are both positive and significant, and are similar in size. Over and above denomination, churchgoing and prayer are also associated with greater satisfaction. Religion tempers the impact of adverse life events: it has current, as opposed to after-life rewards.

Thanks for that. As the parts I've bolded indicate, the study concludes that there are positive effects of religion in general, and not that specifically Christian religion is beneficial.

EDIT: I have no doubt you believe in the power of Christ to help those who believe in it and have no doubt you made your earlier comments based on an honest reading of the news clips. I'm just saying the study (at least the version we have) doesn't bear out those statements. :)

I wonder what effect religious beliefs have on the mental health of homosexuals... ;)

Although I chose less, really it'd be more the Holy Spirit.

Still, if it makes you live longer, do it.

Astounding how many atheists put no when the article criticizes them.

Thats because A) The article doesnt critisize athiests (I suggest you read it, you can read cant you?) and B) The OP and the poll are misleading.

Oh sure, there are benefits.

I still believe there are far, far more benefits to being a godless heathen. For one, we don't have any obligation to sit in a cramped pew to hear about how we're going to hell. We can sleep in.

We don't have to follow some arbitrary dietary rules because the religion says so. We eat as is good for us, and if we follow any diet, at least it's sanctioned by a doctor or nutritionist, who knows their food stuff.

We don't have to give a tithe of any sort. No part of our money has to be given to appease some god. That money is part of our personal income and hence of greater benefit to the person who has it because it's not being squandered on tithes.

No one is below us because they don't believe the same as us, nor are we or anyone else hellbound. That's a good benefit.

When life bits on the ass, we haven't been sheltered by grand illusions of eternal comfort. We're able to face reality head on. We don't need to be led around by the hand.

These are just a few...

Not true.

So, from the beggining the data includes results for Roman Catholics, Protestants, Other Religion, and non-religious. The data also includes church goes and prayers independent of denomination. When the study refer to the religious it means anyone who falls within the set
denominations, goes to church, or prays. There is nothing in the data that appears to set out a special effect felt by only Catholics and Protestants -- or even by all Christians.

Again, the data is NOT Christian specific, as it includes among the religious those with religious views other than Christiantity.

You will search the study in vain for a single reference to unique benefits of Christianity -- let alone evidence of Christ working in the lives of believers.

Again, not true. The study didn't breakout separate results for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or Wiccans -- but it did include them in its generic findings about the "religious" versus the "non-religious."

Again, feel free to point to where the study gives specific insurance benefit from Christianity, but not from religion in general. Guess what? It doesn't.

The study shows not just stress-buffering benefits from some denominations -- or gerneral benefit from religion in general -- but also stress-worsening effects from some demoninations. Surely you can see how this undermines your suggestion that the study results are evidence of Christ helping out believers. Perhaps you could claim that Christ is punishing Roman Catholics for divorce, but that wouldn't explain why Christ doesn't punish Protestants for divorce or why Christ would punish widows. It just goes to show that the study results are based on social and psychological factors, rather than mystical ones.

Thanks for that. As the parts I've bolded indicate, the study concludes that there are positive effects of religion in general, and not that specifically Christian religion is beneficial.

EDIT: I have no doubt you believe in the power of Christ to help those who believe in it and have no doubt you made your earlier comments based on an honest reading of the news clips. I'm just saying the study (at least the version we have) doesn't bear out those statements. :)

You are wrong, I'll show you why.

In the face of your assertion that the research is somehow not just a “Christian” study (when the word “Religion” is used you assert it means all religiouns not just Christians), lets just look at the raw data and facts and see who is studied in the research.

(From your Link (http://www.pse.ens.fr/document/wp200543.pdf), Table 1. Measures of religiosity in 21 European countries, 2002/2003)

Total Survey
11,626 Roman Catholic 39.7%
4,575 Protestant 15.6%
1,868 Other 6.4%
11,238 No Religion 38.4%

And I will now point out that the "other" above represents MORE Christians as well (but an unknown number).

Greece (for example) had a result of 97.1% “other” in the research results (from Appendix Table 1. Life satisfaction and religiosity by country) and we should all be aware that Greece is 98% Greek Orthodox and 2% other (according to the World Fact Book), so we can assume that most of the ‘others’ from Greece in the research data are in fact Greek Orthodox Christians and the “others” in the research, thus proving that the other represents additional Christians mixed in with ALL the others.

Simple arithmetic reveals that when the research says “religious” it is talking about the group that is MORE than 93.6% Christian. IF All the non-Christian religious were removed from the data entirely the result would be negligible and NO meaningful data can be revealed about non-christian religous from the non-Christian religious people data in this research, none whatsoever, because it is unknown even how many of the ‘others’ are not themselves other Christians (such as Greek, Eastern or Russian Orthodox).

Your complaint is proven to be without merit. The research IS Christian specific whether the researchers intended it that way or not.

The research cannot show any benefit from "Christianity" as opposed to benefit from "religion, whether Christian or otherwise", neither can it show that there is no such difference, because it just does not have enough data on the religious but non-Christian. To claim that it is showing benefits which only come from Christianity, rather than from religion in the generic sense, is misleading; but to claim that it shows the benefits to be from religion, generically, is also misleading; it simply does not show anything either way on that issue.

Wait, so in a culture where religious belief is treated with the utmost respect while godlessness is shunned and marginalized, it turns out that religious people tend to be happier than the godless?

With an attitude like that, what do you expect? :p

Yes, there is a benefit in following Christianity: if you set up a church you get a huge tax bracket. Woohoo!:p

I wonder what effect religious beliefs have on the mental health of homosexuals... ;)

Keep up those traitorous, terrorist thoughts, and you'll find yourself on the way to the gula--er I mean Jesus Camp.

You are wrong, I'll show you why.

In the face of your assertion that the research is somehow not just a “Christian” study (when the word “Religion” is used you assert it means all religiouns not just Christians), lets just look at the raw data and facts and see who is studied in the research.

(From your Link (http://www.pse.ens.fr/document/wp200543.pdf), Table 1. Measures of religiosity in 21 European countries, 2002/2003)

Total Survey
11,626 Roman Catholic 39.7%
4,575 Protestant 15.6%
1,868 Other 6.4%
11,238 No Religion 38.4%

And I will now point out that the "other" above represents MORE Christians as well (but an unknown number).

Greece (for example) had a result of 97.1% “other” in the research results (from Appendix Table 1. Life satisfaction and religiosity by country) and we should all be aware that Greece is 98% Greek Orthodox and 2% other (according to the World Fact Book), so we can assume that most of the ‘others’ from Greece in the research data are in fact Greek Orthodox Christians and the “others” in the research, thus proving that the other represents additional Christians mixed in with ALL the others.

Simple arithmetic reveals that when the research says “religious” it is talking about the group that is MORE than 93.6% Christian. IF All the non-Christian religious were removed from the data entirely the result would be negligible and NO meaningful data can be revealed about non-christian religous from the non-Christian religious people data in this research, none whatsoever, because it is unknown even how many of the ‘others’ are not themselves other Christians (such as Greek, Eastern or Russian Orthodox).

Your complaint is proven to be without merit. The research IS Christian specific whether the researchers intended it that way or not.

Your exegesis regarding Greece is rather unnecessary given that I had already quoted the study regarding the makeup of "other" religions. You are correct that the majority of "other" is Christian. From page 9, which I already quoted:

The most prevalent denominations in Europe are Roman Catholic and Protestant, covering 40% and 16% of respondents respectively (Table 1). A number of other religions were mentioned, which we have grouped together as “Other religion”, making up 6% of the total sample (this group is predominantly Eastern Orthodox, 62%, Other Christians, 20%, and Muslim, 12%). Last, almost forty per cent of respondents say that they do not belong to any particular religion.

Your speculation that we can simply remove the data from non-Christian religious doesn't really address the point: you have no basis for saying the positive effects correlated with religion are due to a belief in Christ. The study simply doesn't measure that. The study expressly says its results are regarding "religion" in general. Your desire it be otherwise doesn't make it so.

(One might also note footnote says the inclusion of Israel -- 82% Jewish and 13% Muslim -- "does not change our main qualitative results.")

Furthermore, your rant regarding the "raw data" ignores that the data regarding religion is divided and analyzed three ways -- denomination, church attendance, and personal prayer. The numbers for church attendance and personal prayer do NOT reflect denominational preferences, but still result in the positive effects which you would like to attribute to Christianity alone.

You also ignore the text of pretty much the entire paper when you try to isolate the data from the researchers' analysis. This study was evaluated in the context of other studies regarding the effects of religious practices.

Finally, you rather conspicuously ignore the data regarding a negative effect of some Christian denominations regarding some life stressors. As much as you may like to, you can't just cherry-pick the convenient facts away from the overall context. If you are going to say the positive effects found are the result of a belief in Christ, then the negative effects must also be the result of such a belief.

Your attempt to shoehorn the results of this study into proselytism for a specifc religious belief was a stretch based on the news clips you used in the OP. Your attempts to defend that stretch in the face of the actual study is just painful.

I wouldn't be surprised at the effects that religious belief would bear out, in light of the indications of Terror Management Theory, specifically in regards to the use of our cultural identity as an element of our self-esteem buffer against mortality salience. If you view yourself as a vital and integral part of some community or another, in which the offer of literal or symbolic immortality is extended, you are likelier to be able to cope with mortality salience (terror) more easily.

Generally, self-esteem serving as a buffer, helps us to not worry about said mortality salience, and the impact of stress on health and quality of life cannot be dismissed.

Yes, there is a benefit in following Christianity: if you set up a church you get a huge tax bracket. Woohoo!:p

Tax break I think you mean. Tax brackets are a range of income with a certain tax rate.

==========

I wouldn't be surprised at the effects that religious belief would bear out, in light of the indications of Terror Management Theory, specifically in regards to the use of our cultural identity as an element of our self-esteem buffer against mortality salience. If you view yourself as a vital and integral part of some community or another, in which the offer of literal or symbolic immortality is extended, you are likelier to be able to cope with mortality salience (terror) more easily.

Generally, self-esteem serving as a buffer, helps us to not worry about said mortality salience, and the impact of stress on health and quality of life cannot be dismissed.

How the hell did we get here?
Please, please don't make me read the thread!

Can't we just say that Christianity lowers the believer's expectations of shit making sense, so they're happier in a world full of shit that doesn't make sense?

Well, I have a friend and my brother who are both devout, practicing Christians. Neither have had a girlfriend in their entire lives (just felt like pointing that out). My brother is incredibly insecure, snapping at a moment's notice and obsessing over minute details because he worries about doing something wrong (even when it comes to religion). My friend? He's a model of security and peace, being one of the most laid-back and friendly guys I've ever met.

Thus, I take this study's findings with a one huge grain of salt (with some fries on the side, thanks. :D)