SubscribeLinking happiness and religion through science
While exploring the topic of happiness, I came across an interesting blog from a social psychologist at the University of California who has done pioneering studies on the subject. My interest was piqued by what Sonja Lyubomirsky, who described herself as neither religious or spiritual, wrote about the intersection of happiness and religion.
“Just because (most) religious beliefs cannot be empirically tested or falsified doesn’t mean that the consequences of having religious faith, participating in religious life, or searching for the sacred cannot be studied,” Lyubomirsky wrote in Psychology Today last year. “Indeed, a growing body of psychological science is suggesting that religious folks are happier, healthier, and recover better after traumas than nonreligious.”
Lyubomirsky went on to offer these two examples:
• If you are having serious cardiac surgery and receive strength and comfort from your religious faith, you’ll be almost 3 times more likely to be alive 6 months later.
• 47 percent of people who report attending religious services several times a week describe themselves as “very happy,” versus 28 percent of those who attend less than once a month.”
“The trouble is that researchers don’t really know why,” she acknowledged.
God is the missing factor for researchers. He cannot be quantified or dissected by scientific research. The depth of God’s influence and power is unfathomable. My Christian beliefs lead me to start from a place of faith that says God is truly the alpha and the omega of all things and to accept that about God answers the why. Some religious/spiritual people are happier, healthier and recover better from traumas because they truly cast all their cares on God who cares for them. They reduce their level of anxiety about life’s uncontrollables by trusting God with the outcome of their circumstances.
I’ve seen people, my mother among them, who have gone through illnesses with a profound assurance that they were in God’s hands. My Aunt Maggie is one of the most contented people I know. She’s nearly 100 and has arthritis, heart problems and other issues, but her mind is sharp and she chuckles with joy as she praises Jesus for keeping through pain and difficulties over the years.
Aunt Maggie practices James 5:13, which says, ”Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. “ Apparently, so does this worshiping woman depicted in this picture by Henry Lee Battle.
Lyubomirsky has written a well-received book, The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want, in which she offers readers strategies for taking responsibility for their own happiness. Among the dozen approaches to increase happiness, she recommends practicing religion. Attend church, temple, or mosque, or read spiritually-themed books, the social pychologist says. Give thanks, practice forgiveness.
It’s what I would recommend also to anyone who is searching for something that will sustain them during the tough times and increase their hope during the good times. The Bible tells us that we are blessed (happy) when we walk in the counsel of God and meditate on his laws day and night. A person is happy, Scripture says, when she delights in God. (Unfortunately not all believers believe that and too many Christians walk around like they’re sucking on sour candy.)
In her blog, Lyubomirsky said her research about religion practices prompted led her to think that maybe nonbelievers would benefit from attending a once a week “happiness workshop”.
“Can’t they get together with like-minded folks and perhaps listen to a talk (as opposed to a sermon) about well-being or human strengths or an inspiring story? Surely, the good stuff on the list above could be obtained through secular means,” she wrote.
Yes, some of the “good stuff” is obtained through secular means –social connections, support, compassion, meaning in life, a sense of well-being, etc. But without faith in God, the link to true and lasting happiness is mssing.
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