Yes i do because i think religious people fell they have a sense of guidance and a knowing of what will happen to them if they die and that it will be a good outcome and there's nothing to be afraid of. Non- religious people don't know what will happen when they die and are uneasy about what will become of them and don't want to risk dying until they know.

Ignorance is bliss.

No. Some religious people are busy doing religious things, that they never have time for fun.

In the UK the Church of England carried out a study of young people. When the results came back, they were alarmed to find that not only did the majority not believe in god/religion (they sort of expected this) but they also felt happy and contented with their lives and did not see any need to belong to a faith. God was surplus to requirements so to speak. This they were shocked at. They had hoped to find that people who did not believe in God etc would be unfulfilled in their lives and would feel that they did not belong anywhere at all. The survey showed that they all felt they belonged somewhere and this feeling of security came from their families and friends - they simply did not require the church and it's community. Anyway, today they have started a new drive to attract young people back to the church. They will be showing episodes of The Simpson's and believe they can teach young people about love and punishment using this medium. Make of that, what you will.

As with all statistics it is hard to know what the truth is because the research is often paid for by the people who expect answers that are favourable to their cause.

Yes, I think "religious" people...and I hate that term, I prefer people close to God, but whatever...are happier because they have someone to lean on in times of trouble or tragedy, it gives them hope. Knowing what lies beyond death is also a great comfort.

Well, what can I say, other then Ignorance is Bliss?!

Well, I agree with the study that out of the people they asked, their findings are correct. But I've met "religious" people that are always complaining about how things don't work out for them, and non-religious people who are always happy. Some people are just generally happy, some people are just generally miserable. Any they like it that way, if not they'd change their outlook.

For me, my faith better allows me to throw my hands up in a messy situation and go "Okay, Lord, I'm not gonna attempt anything else to "fix" this situation since, most of the time, I end up getting myself into even more trouble anyway by what I think is "fixing". I'm going to stand back and let you do what you will with it, because you know what's best for me and will lead me in that direction anyway if I remain guideable." My faith helps me be patient, at peace, humble (after all, who are humans to deny God with the excuse of "God can never solve my problems, they are too great! No one can help me!" What an insult to His power!! How selfish and prideful!! He would NEVER give you a problem you can't fix or a problem that He cannot help you fix!! More times than not, He gave you that problem for a REASON!) and I am reassured that whatever happens, it's for the best and it's an excercise designed to mold me into my greatest potential as a person.

I heard this in a religious sermon today. I believe it. We are like appliances and when we plug in and get some of God's holy spirit, we are charged up.

What study, where, performed by whom, what was the population sample, what was the sampling method, what are the percentage differences, what is the margin of error, and how are we defining "religious" and "non-religious"? Anyway, I'd have to know the above before I would believe it. I've not noticed any significant difference in happiness between the two groups (as I define them).

Can't speak for the population at large, but time with the elderly has taught me that they are less lonely, less isolated, and they are happier.

Yeah, they probably are. At least they have something to look forward to and for a lot of them, nothing can change it. That must be great.

Imaginary friends can be very comforting

sounds like a church did the asking ....

There is a lot to be said for self-delusion. I take part myself, but not relating to religion. It does make for a happier state of mind, but I disagree that religious folks have any corner on the market.

I don't know that it is necessarily the religious part. I think it more has to do with meeting people you have something in common with and spending time together.

I do agree, atleast for me. I grew up not really knowing what I believed in. I feared death, and never really knew what my purpose in life was. When I went to college I committed my life to Christ, was baptised and now call myself a Christian. I can honestly say that I am happier as a Christian than I ever was before. But that's just me maybe other people are different.

I always question studies, but I deal with lots of "religious" people, as a pastor's wife, so I suppose I can comment. On the whole, most people I meet are happy. Whether they are happier than average, I do not know. I do meet some sourpusses and whingers, but most who know them just roll their eyes when they start.

I believe that, as a rule, people with a rich inner, spiritual life and who strive for a deeper awareness and understanding of themselves and the world around them tend to be happier than people who simply trudge through life considering only the superficial details of reality. But notice here, my use of the word "Spiritual" as opposed to the strict definition of "Religion". Spirituality and religion can be connected, but they are far from synonymous. A religious person can be spiritual, just as an atheist or an agnostic can be spiritual. It doesn't necessarily require any sort of belief in a "Higher Power", it's not dependent on any particular set of beliefs. By my definition, it's just a matter of being in touch with the inherent beauty in yourself, the people and world around you. A study of this nature is inhrently slanted because religious people are more inclined to be conspicuously conscious of their spirituality and apply to it the kind of strict label that can be given a check-box on a survey form. An atheist, agnostic, or person of non-denomenational beliefs may not say that they're religious when asked, but that doesn't say a thing about whether or not they're spiritual. The definition of religion is fairly simple, the definition of true spirituality is a much more complex matter, and can't ever be determined or summed up in anything as simple as a study. The way I see it, this study wasn't and couldn't ever be conducted properly, because you have here two concepts that are related, but nevertheless separate. You might be able to classify people into "Religious" and "Non-Religious" based solely on what the people themselves say, and you *Might* be able to classify people into "Spiritual" and "Non-Spiritual" based on extensive knowledge and understanding of the individual. Once you had people sorted into those classifications(Which would in and of themselves be too unreliable to prove much), you might notice slightly more "Non-Spiritual" people in the "Non-Religious" group, but in all probablity, you'd also find enough "Spiritual" people in the "Non-Religious" group, and enough "Religious" people in the "Non-Spiritual" group, to completely discredit any other trends in the results.

It really depends on the religion, do they stick to real good moral spiritual guidelines, do they practice what they preach because if the religion is baced on some religious mans views and not rooted in Gods word, it will jusr fizzle away and it will never bring true contentment or real lasting happiness. Real true Christians are reall much happier than the average person because they have a real hope and are not materialistic, this in turn brings a happy family.

That's an OLD study. I read it in reader's digest years ago.

I was a miserable sot when I was in fear of displeasing my Lord. I bought into all those preacher marketing ploys where I better do this and do that for fear of God's wrath. Happy? Hardly! I think that kind of happiness at one's emotional expense is a heavy price to pay. I rather be (and I am)poor in the "holy spirit" and rich in reason.

I think there is a peace of mind and heart in the understanding that no matter what you are going through you are not alone. And that ultimatly the thing that really matters is the next life. It makes it easier to stop obsessing over the things in life that have no lasting meaning

a saved man will have a deep happiness because he is saved from the wrath to come, and he knows that what ever tragidy or unfavorable circimstance comes up, he has a better future in the age to come, but a christian faces trials just the same as the next man, he hurts just like the next man.

Religious people, not necessarily. People who are comfortable with what they believe, yes. I am very comfortable.

I do agree with this because I think that people who have a religion feel a sense of meaning they feel more positive because they feel as if life goes on even after we are "gone". People who are more likely to believe in eternity or life after death are less likely to stress out about this life because they figure they have another one to go to. Without this knowledge and guidance others are stressed everyday with the questions of why they are doing what they are doing why are they waking up and going to work everyday when eventually they are just going to die, what is it all for? whereas ppl who believe that theres another life ahead of them after this one believe that everything they are doing has a purpose so they are more positive in what they do!

I agree because when you put God in your life, you will feel contented http://asia-travel-freeport.blogspot.com/

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i disagree. thats like a man in prison saying i am free. he is only free within the confines of the prison walls and that's how relious people are

True and false. I have been into different religions and some of them were not right for me. I was miserable until I found the one that worked best for me. To be honest, most of the people I know who truly live life to its fullest in celebration are atheists. I am not an atheist, but I am very happy. I also know many atheists who do not seem all that happy. I know plenty of people who are religious that do not seem that happy. Many of them seem like they are just waiting to die, and that's not what religion should be about.

When religion was imposed upon me, I was misserable. I no longer ambrace religion or dogma of any kind and I couldn't be any happier. I know many people who have no religion and they are very happy with their lives. Religion has never been the underpinning for happiness. I also have many broke ass religious people in my own family always borrowing money and other things from me.

I can see that as they say ignorance is bliss.

On a personal level, I disagree. I am considerably happier now than I was when I confined myself to religion.

Cult members will almost always tell you they're happy because they've been told they're happy and they believe what they're told. Bottom line, though, it depends what they were asked in the survey. Where they simply asked,"Are you happy?" as a single question? Where they asked, "As a religious person, are you happy?" In other words, were they aware that the purpose of the survey was to determine whether religious people were happier than non-religious people? If so, the survey was biased.

well im not religious , i never go to church but i pray a lot and believe in a lot of stuff. when i think of life as a whole i have been troubled a lot of it but my faith helped me get through and it seems to help whenever i am having a bad time. so i think id agree.

Of course! because religious people usually have faith that they will be rewarded grandly if they do what's right and repent if they mess up.

I am not sure what you mean by "religious people" But I am sure that there are many people who are "happy" because they are "religious" or go to church, and partake in "religion", but so what? If "happiness" is your goal in life, then there are other ways to attain it. You could be watching cartoons, and going to the circus, and treating yourself to ice cream sundaes all the time. It is much easier than getting up every sunday, and going to "church", and putting on a big show for everyone to see how religious you are. But hey, if that is what you want out of life than go for it. But as for me....I can truely say that God never promised us "happiness", He did promise peace, and joy as we keep our eyes on Him.

People always get Being a christian and being Religeous mixed up. Christians are followers of Christ, The religeous were the ones who killed Jesus. So the wording on this question is incorrect.

This only applies to those religions that use recreational mushrooms in their rituals.

As a non-believer in anything I'd have to use the old adage 'ignorance is bliss'

Absolutely! I am sorry to all my fellow Answerbag neighbors, and I apologize in advance, but it is true. When you accept Christ as your Lord and savior, you acquire the "peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7)."

I don't agree that religious people are happier. I do believe that people with faith are happier. People who are extremely "religious" get mired in the dogma of their particular religion.

yes i think so. religion gives you power to something

No brains no pains? haha I don't really think that all Christians are ignorant so don't get upset folks. I do think they are more likely to...what is the phrase.."let go and let God". When one doesn't have to worry about pesky personal and public muddles but puts it off on God I am sure life is less complicated. I've seen this type of thinking in action. I grew up in a town that was 90% Catholic. People carried on affairs, gossiped, abused their children, stole from work, condemn others. Then they'd go to Mass on Sunday and to confession. Confession...the ultimate get out of jail free card. When you have that why worry eh?

i disagree. it's been my experience that religious folk tend to deny their true emotions.

I don't know that there is true. I a Christian, not a religious person. Most religous people I know are pretty tied up in ritual and seem to be frustrated about it, especially when they don't believe in a ritual they are following, but do it because the 'church' says they have to do it. Poor buggers.

There is nothing more stupid sounding that begining a discusion with "a recent study". Is that the new version of "they say"...?

As my Psychology Professor says and I agree. A study is absolutely worthless, unless you know who "they" are and what "they" asked...or assumed or appointed to whichever questions were available.

Who's study?

Speaking from my own personal experiences only, I would have to say yes. I have worked with and have come in contact with many Christians and atheists down through the years. For the most part, the Christians are much happier, less stressed, more laid back, friendlier and more caring.

Got a link?

Judging by the religious people I have talked to on this site, i would have to disagree. But of course this is not the rest of the world. Do you have a link? Btw, how exactly do you measure "happy?" Many people profess to be happy but are truly miserable.

I'm sure they are, if I believed in a magical paradise when I died I'd be happier too.

I would need to see the study as happiness is completely subjective i.e. someone from a 3rd world country where they build houses out of dry dung would be "happy" living in meth lab in South Central LA. So how exactly did this study judge happiness?

I agree because some religious people make some non-religious people feel guilty for not believing in the same thing as them.

They live longer, healthier lives and have better social support systems - according to numerous studies.

I disagree. Proper religious people are supposed to be 'God fearing', and constant fear is no way to be happy.

The same study attributed the outcome to the demographic of the remaining generation of believers and to some extent the increase in social wealth caused by sharing problems in groups. Basically middle class Caucasians who like to gossip. Besides: "The fact that a believer is happier than a sceptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. " — George Bernard Shaw

I'll answer based on my own life. I left the church and all religion for a few years and was miserable. My marriage fell apart, I miscarried 2 babies and couldn't find a job. Life sucked. Since finding my faith again, life is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I owe it to prayer and positive thinking.

Ahhh, but religion. It`s all a load of old wank isn`t it,

My observation supports yes.

The answer is in faith and hope. We can look up to heaven in Faith and out to the world in Hope. And that brings security.

Another study showed that people who are not interested in religion don't fill in studies about it.

Yes i do agree with that statement,they have no idea what the real world is about. they are living in a bubble and only have ten laws to follow. when the world comes smashing down around them they panic.Don't know how to handle it.they always say the same thing,quote the same book. unless the real world walks up and slaps them in the face with a taste of reality,they just turn a deaf eye,and a blind ear,if you understand that statement,and you do.

I disagree.

I'd like to see that study myself. My guess is that it was conducted by and for religious people. While I don't dispute that a relgious person can be happy because of what they believe, I also don't dispute that a non-religious person can be happy because of what they DON'T believe. :)