STUDY: Want ‘sustained happiness’? Get religion.

[Randy Carson]

Question: What is the best way to achieve "sustained happiness"? Is it by:

1) volunteering or working with a charity;
2) taking educational courses;
3) participating in religious organizations; or
4) participating in a political or community organization?

Answer: 3.

Researchers at the London School of Economics and Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that the secret to sustained happiness lies in participating in religious organizations. Of the four, participating in a religious organization was the [u]only social activity associated with sustained happiness[/u], researchers found.

Now, my question is: what if you get involved in a local church (3) that has an outreach to the poor and homeless in the local community (1 & 4) and offers Bible study classes (2)?

Seems to me you'd be so happy you could hardly stand it.

Want ‘sustained happiness’? Get religion, study suggests
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-...-suggests/

Social Participation and Depression in Old Age: A Fixed-Effects Analysis in 10 European Countries
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/182/2/168.short

[abaris]

Wow, Sherlok, who would have guessed?

We examined whether changes in different forms of social participation were associated with changes in depressive symptoms in older Europeans.

You are aware that religion is only one kind of social participation? Also, did you read or acknowledge this?

Participation in religious organizations may offer mental health benefits beyond those offered by other forms of social participation.

I mean the bolded part. May...

[Randy Carson]

Wow, Sherlok, who would have guessed?

We examined whether changes in different forms of social participation were associated with changes in depressive symptoms in older Europeans.

You are aware that religion is only one kind of social participation? Also, did you read or acknowledge this?

Participation in religious organizations may offer mental health benefits beyond those offered by other forms of social participation.

I mean the bolded part. May...

YOU don't seem very happy...are you European?

[Iroscato]

Ah, a shaky appeal to emotion. 2/10 must do better.

[abaris]

YOU don't seem very happy...are you European?

I'm a person who actually reads what is linked to. Did you? - so tell me about the meaning of the word "may". Other than the month of course.

But I guess that would destroy your talking point. Even more so, since there are numerous other studies out, concerning old age happiness.

[Longhorn]

The happiness or unhappiness of religious people has no bearing on the validity of religious claims.

Also.....Are you suggesting that one can choose to believe....and that we should because it will make us feel fuzzy?

[abaris]

Also.....Are you suggesting that one can choose to believe....and that we should because it will make us feel fuzzy?

Don't let him off the hook by turning this into a different direction. He's being assertive where the study authors speak about a possibility. The only assertivness they offer is the fact that humans don't feel so good if they're not socially active. Well, that's hardly news.

[Exian]

I find my participating in social gatherings lowers my happiness and increases my anxiety. I also get headaches, stomach aches, an nausea until I get home, and that's just hanging out at a friends house.

[Longhorn]

Also.....Are you suggesting that one can choose to believe....and that we should because it will make us feel fuzzy?

Don't let him off the hook by turning this into a different direction. He's being assertive where the study authors speak about a possibility. The only assertivness they offer is the fact that humans don't feel so good if they're not socially active. Well, that's hardly news.

Sorry, it's that irreligious generosity kicking in.

And the fact remains that this has nothing to do with actual belief in a god or gods. A secular organization could provide everything mentored in the OP and have the same impact on people.


....But I guess if Randy were to acknowledge that, he'd have to stop being so smug. IOW, ain't gonna happen -_-

[SteelCurtain]

Also, one wonders about the validity of any subjective response from a believer when juxtaposed with "or church?"

ie "What makes you happier? Volunteering or going to church?" What do you think a believer will answer, when Jeesus is listening?