Meh, That would be a problem that would likely solve itself. I do hear these excruciating stories of pain coming from people who lose their faith - and if faith was a tool that you used to cope, or to normalize healthy habits...I can see why the loss of faith would lead to adverse effects.

Would any of that effect someone who had never believed? I don't see why (and I've certainly never experienced it). Seems like a transitional problem - conceived in the manner of coping mechanism, anyway.

Oh grow up Min, you're using the example of a subset of religious extremists that doesn't provide any appreciable evidence that religious attendance is not a determinant of health.

I think religious adherence has a positive effect on mental health just because it's healthy to socialise and think. I know plenty of mentally bright old people that I think are that way because they're part of a community outside of work. Modern 1st world problems of loneliness/isolation. The club doesn't have to be religious for this effect to happen. It just happens to be a religious stronghold.

It doesn't surprise me that religious people are more happy. Not only do they have a very strong support system but they have the assurances that they are absolutely right and that ultimately everything will turn out fine. Even if everyone turns against them, they still have someone(god) on their side. And if this life is crappy, well there is always an eternity of happiness waiting for them. None of what they believe is true, of course, but I can understand why they are happy. Atheists have to face the world as it is, without any softening of the hard parts. We can't say there is a plan created by some deity that will ultimately make everything just okay.

People have faith because they are weak but I can't look down on someone for being weak. There are times when I have been weak and vulnerable also. My best friend came from an abusive home. She felt unloved and unwanted. The idea that someone bigger then herself loved her and thought she was special helped her through some very dark moments. There are lots of religious people with similar stories. For whatever reason, they need the myth of religion. I don't think that a lot of the needs that drive people toward religion will ever go away.


Before there is a world without religion, we have to figure out the emotional reasons that people need religion and provide them alternatives.

"Mental" health... yes, on average, I'd have to agree.
But there are other ways of achieving the same results... other than convincing someone of something for which there is no evidence at all.

I wonder how much of it is affected by the pressures that some religions can put on those who leave. A person who decides to become an atheist may face social isolation right down to his/her immediate family, and possibly even at work or social functions. If your communities' social activities revolve around a local church or religious denomination, leaving that church/faith could lead to increased stress and anxiety.

(November 29, 2014 at 10:28 pm)Aractus Wrote: Oh grow up Min, you're using the example of a subset of religious extremists that doesn't provide any appreciable evidence that religious attendance is not a determinant of health.

Are you arguing that being dead isn't an adverse health condition? Or are you just dismissing facts that don't support your conclusion?

Long story short, religious views may affect one's health in both positive and negative ways but to say how exactly one has to consider a lot of parameters. One has to consider (among other possible parameners): external factors that affect subject's mood, type of their religion, their overall psychic condition, and so on. Too much to make a generalized statement giving more or less defined religion-health dependancy on a discussion forum. Even if we only consider fundamentalism it's still hard to tell how it affects it's 'host's' health.

(November 30, 2014 at 4:01 am)fr0d0 Wrote: I think religious adherence has a positive effect on mental health just because it's healthy to socialise and think. I know plenty of mentally bright old people that I think are that way because they're part of a community outside of work. Modern 1st world problems of loneliness/isolation. The club doesn't have to be religious for this effect to happen. It just happens to be a religious stronghold.

The social part of church is extremely appealing. It's the one thing I really admire about religion and the only reason I'd consider going back. The only other weekly social setting around here is the bars, but it doesn't give the same community feeling that church does. Also, I don't like drinking.

Yes, it seems, from multiple studies that religion can have health benefits for the people who belong to religions.

There are also studies that people who are married experience certain health benefits, too. And for people who have kids.

There are many factors that can affect a person's health both positively and adversely.

Humans are social creatures and benefit from contact with others.