Let's have a look at a study that at least attempts to provide some specificity and variable control:
http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/...3&ext=.pdf
If the type of god worshiped yields these results, I am dubious of reports suggesting that mere attendance is a significant determinant. The problem with all of these types of studies is that they all demonstrate correlation and can't even begin to approach causation. Take for instance the attempt to associate religion and cancer. I fully support the claim that religious communities that enforce the prohibition of tobacco use will result in lower occurrences of lung cancer, but to claim that religion causes lower instances of cancer is laughable since passing a law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of cigarettes would have the same effect. Then there's the matter of explaining why the religious are more susceptible to cervical cancer. Perhaps it's just part of God's perpetual misogynistic grudge towards a single instance of fruit consumption.
http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/...3&ext=.pdf
Quote: Belief in a punitive God was positively associated with four psychiatric symptoms, while belief in a benevolent God was negatively associated with four psychiatric symptoms, controlling for demographic characteristics, religiousness, and strength of belief in God. Belief in a deistic God and one’s overall belief in God were not significantly related to any psychiatric symptoms.
If the type of god worshiped yields these results, I am dubious of reports suggesting that mere attendance is a significant determinant. The problem with all of these types of studies is that they all demonstrate correlation and can't even begin to approach causation. Take for instance the attempt to associate religion and cancer. I fully support the claim that religious communities that enforce the prohibition of tobacco use will result in lower occurrences of lung cancer, but to claim that religion causes lower instances of cancer is laughable since passing a law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of cigarettes would have the same effect. Then there's the matter of explaining why the religious are more susceptible to cervical cancer. Perhaps it's just part of God's perpetual misogynistic grudge towards a single instance of fruit consumption.
