Epidemic or Clickbait?

[Fireball]

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CNN and ABC have addressed this topic. So this isn't something undeserving of some critical thought. I understand that some may roll their eyes towards this. Yes, it might be a stretch or at least subjective. But, if we can recognize that certain beliefs are false then lets apply that same reasoning and problem solving to this. No bias.

And if you think this is bs then ok. State your view. My apologies if this comes off as pretentious.

I do think this is a real topic of concern, and it's not pretentious to want to discuss it. The links you provided have been deleted, but it's easy enough to Google and find similar research studies.

In May of 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2023 declared loneliness a "global public health concern." Both of these are on line.

Both The Lancet Psychiatry and a publication called Perspectives on Psychological Science have published scientific studies on how loneliness affects health and mortality. 

So it's real.

My family had conservative views but we weren't necessarily republican. Three generations in one household. A hard working and Army veteran grandfather belonging to "the fruit" and freemasonry partnered with a hard working and open minded grand mother. We did everything together even as we moved apart. Challenging politics was impolite to us as well. "If it's negative, keep it to yourself" was our lingo. 

I don't argue that men are more at risk. The risk goes up for each generation especially if they're lacking in education.

I do think that small-c conservative values helped to work against loneliness. Prioritizing family, community, the Golden Rule, all those good things. Having empathy for one's neighbors and staying on good terms, even if they voted differently. These days it sometimes seems as if family or neighbors on the other side of the political divide must be shunned and shamed. 

We've been taught to hate.

Years ago before we had the Internet I used to go and hang out at a little art gallery in my town. It was very amateurish, anybody could have a show, but it was run by a personable young lady. There was a big table in the middle of the room and at any given time there were likely to be a dozen people sitting around drinking green tea. It was a very low pressure way to have a social life -- you drop in, you wander off. People introduce you to others. After a while one of the regulars begins to stand out and you think "Oh, I could spend time with her." And then 30 years later we're still joyfully married. It's not like dating apps where (I imagine) you feel like you're in a job interview, being evaluated for suitability. 

By the way, there is a site called religiousforums.com where the moderators encourage discussion. Several people who used to post here are over there now. Despite the name there are a lot of atheists and non-religious topics. If you are made to feel unwelcome on the present site you might give that place a try.

Please post a direct link to an atheist Vs religionist of any sort on that forum.