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Scientist have been saying for a while that people who regularly attend religious services and have a regular religious practice live longer and are generally happier than those who don't.
Psychologist Sonia Lyubimirsky said it in her book "The How of Happiness".
Dan Buettner said it in his book about the parts of the world where people live the longest in his "Blue Zones" books.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic said this:
“Most studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide. Several studies have shown that addressing the spiritual needs of the patient may enhance recovery from illness.”
Scientist have been saying for a while that people who regularly attend religious services and have a regular religious practice live longer and are generally happier than those who don't.
Psychologist Sonia Lyubimirsky said it in her book "The How of Happiness".
Dan Buettner said it in his book about the parts of the world where people live the longest in his "Blue Zones" books.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic said this:
“Most studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide. Several studies have shown that addressing the spiritual needs of the patient may enhance recovery from illness.”
That new wonder religion helps to promote active life and a glossy coat does not exactly mean that atheism kills.
No doubt a healthy diet, regular runs through the park, no meat, no booze and definitely no baccy probably does add a few years to the life, but frankly I'll take the debauch.
Similarly, the truth is more important to me than happy fairy tales.
That's because atheism is not really a thing. It's more of not agreeing with a particular viewpoint. I find I have a deeper sense of awe now than I did as a believer. The possibilities are endless, there's nothing forbidden to consider. This no hope, no joy...is just drama emotional manipulation. That paragraph you quoted is cringe worthy.
From my non-atheistic (is that a word? There's no squiggly red underline) point of view, yes, it is.
Scientist have been saying for a while that people who regularly attend religious services and have a regular religious practice live longer and are generally happier than those who don't.
Psychologist Sonia Lyubimirsky said it in her book "The How of Happiness".
Dan Buettner said it in his book about the parts of the world where people live the longest in his "Blue Zones" books.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic said this:
“Most studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide. Several studies have shown that addressing the spiritual needs of the patient may enhance recovery from illness.”
Religion helps some people feel like valued members of a pack - a basic mammalian need, especially among predators. And we are the planet's apex predators.
But what's most important is that people feel some connection: to each other - to their furred, feathered and finned friends - to the planet.
That new wonder religion helps to promote active life and a glossy coat does not exactly mean that atheism kills.
No doubt a healthy diet, regular runs through the park, no meat, no booze and definitely no baccy probably does add a few years to the life, but frankly I'll take the debauch.
Similarly, the truth is more important to me than happy fairy tales.
The main thing that religion gives is a sense of purpose in life. If you don't have a sense of purpose, you're less likely to do those healthy lifestyle habits in the first place.
Yes, you can get that through other means, in theory. Certainly true on on an inviditual level.
In practice, it works out badly when applied across societies at large. Most people have a deep need for something sacred in their lives. Jonathan Haidt talks about this. That's what Social Justice Warriors on college campuses are about. They're essentially non-religious / atheistic type people who have created a new religion that they are trying to impose on everyone else. They don't see they're just like the religions they often criticize. Look no further than the USSR & China for secular states that do/did massive killings.
Religion helps some people feel like valued members of a pack - a basic mammalian need, especially among predators. And we are the planet's apex predators.
But what's most important is that people feel some connection: to each other - to their furred, feathered and finned friends - to the planet.
Nothing wrong with that sense of connection. I just want to be connected to the source of that creation as well as the creation itself. It's a tall order, but going to the source makes the most sense to me.
No belief system or ideology is completely true or untrue. All are muddled and shades of gray.
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