Religious services linked to increased optimism, decreased risk of depression - Polidicks

It depends on the person, I feel better knowing that our lives aren't controlled by some guy in the sky.

[QUOTE=Collin665;33234082] Not to say that Atheism is perfect, it definitely isn't, but I think its a step in the right direction. In fact atheists could learn from organized religion in a few areas, i.e. organized religion's contributions to the community.[/QUOTE] I don't get what you're trying to say here. Atheism isn't an organization or system of beliefs, so how could it be a step in the right or wrong direction?

[QUOTE=Megafanx13;33233660]Churches need more jazz.[/QUOTE] Churches need more jizz.

I would have thought this was blindingly obvious, religion answers questions like 'What is the meaning of life' 'Why is the universe just right for life' and other philosophy which tends to ease the mind, it also teaches morals, which I guess would correlate to happiness, not to mention it also puts you in a group, which combats loneliness, and also explains the afterlife, meaning that if you live well you also have a lovely heaven to look forward to. How is this not obvious?

[QUOTE=SSBMX;33234626]Churches need more jizz.[/QUOTE] maybe they can ask the catholic church

[QUOTE=RubberFruit;33234663]I would have thought this was blindingly obvious, religion answers questions like 'What is the meaning of life' 'Why is the universe just right for life' and other philosophy which tends to ease the mind, it also teaches morals, which I guess would correlate to happiness, not to mention it also puts you in a group, which combats loneliness, and also explains the afterlife, meaning that if you live well you also have a lovely heaven to look forward to. How is this not obvious?[/QUOTE] I suppose it's because those questions don't really have an answer. Life doesn't have to have some underlying meaning. The universe isn't really suited to life for the most part. The afterlife wouldn't need any explaining if it doesn't exist. Still, the inquisitive mind will eventually come to those questions. I just wish that they wouldn't stop thinking after religion apparently answers those questions, even if that continued thinking leads to an uncomfortable conclusion.

I'd rather be happy and motivated because of something real, thanks

[QUOTE=SSBMX;33234626]Churches need more jizz.[/QUOTE] I think Catholic priests have taken care of that well enough. [editline]12th November 2011[/editline] [quote]Regular attendance at religious services is associated with a more optimistic outlook and a lesser inclination to be depressed, compared to those who do not attend services at all[/quote] Because they're all rather old, and religious services allow you to socialize As I read down, this view is validated [quote]Older women in particular have been shown in past research to engage in more social interaction at services, and to gain the most from it.[/quote]

snip, grammar

Let People believe what they want, as long as they're not harming anyone else. My Grandma, said to me "I don't know if Heaven or God is real, but it's a nice thought to believe in them and if not, oh well."

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33233836]But either way I'm really not surprised, of course religious people feel good about going to religious services.[/QUOTE] [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindsight_bias]the funny thing is, when there was a thread here a few months ago saying the exact opposite, people said they weren't surprised either[/url] Imagine if it showed atheists were more happy. "Of course they are," you would say, "I'm an atheist and I don't get depressed about the lack of God in my life. I don't have to get stressed that I might be going to hell because I'm not a good enough person to get into heaven."

OP: No shit. I'm not a theist but I think religion has its place, and I'm never one to bash it or try to steer people away from it. Religion (mostly) brings good morals and values. Just look at people around you; notice how a lot of religious families aren't divorced, have somewhat happy lives, and are more successful in life than non-theists.

I dont think this applies to gay or lesbians.

[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;33238465][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindsight_bias]the funny thing is, when there was a thread here a few months ago saying the exact opposite, people said they weren't surprised either[/url] Imagine if it showed atheists were more happy. "Of course they are," you would say, "I'm an atheist and I don't get depressed about the lack of God in my life. I don't have to get stressed that I might be going to hell because I'm not a good enough person to get into heaven."[/QUOTE] Well of course I'm not surprised about hindsight bias at all, I knew it all along [editline]12th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Amplar;33238467]OP: No shit. I'm not a theist but I think religion has its place, and I'm never one to bash it or try to steer people away from it. Religion (mostly) brings good morals and values. Just look at people around you; notice how a lot of religious families aren't divorced, have somewhat happy lives, and are more successful in life than non-theists.[/QUOTE] URGHNH- sorry that my brain hemorrhaging from the stupidity being the right religion in a society mostly composed of that religion in conjunction with increased networking opportunity brings you success who'dya thunk try being one of the less accepted religions

Grrrr! Someone posted a thread that suggested something I disagree with!

[QUOTE=kaine123;33240264]Grrrr! Someone posted a thread that suggested something I disagree with![/QUOTE] No ones disagreeing with the idea that you can make up stories to make people feel good.

You guys never cease to amaze me how you can get on religions back even when its something positive.

[QUOTE=SSBMX;33233647]Going to church makes me depressed[/QUOTE] Then you need some help son.

Yes, religion can make you happy, in the same way a crazy person thinks the asylum he's in is Charlie's Chocolate Factory: it's belief and self-delusion, nothing factual. Rational people don't hold illusions and see things as they truly are, hence why they are more cynical and might be more tragic and grave. Sanity has it's drawbacks :)

I do not mind religious people and their faith in a god. They can believe what they want and I'm of the opinion that having faith in something will make you a happier person. It's the religious people who shove their beliefs down other people's throats that I don't like and they're the ones that give religion a bad name.

[QUOTE=Hidole555;33233475][IMG]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_R0jcDRd6Nxg/TJJmHPEbcZI/AAAAAAAADTE/hv5cgaSVzyM/s400/evil-pope.jpg[/IMG] [B]:smug:[/B][/QUOTE] One of the most influential religious organizations in the world...and they picked the guy with the creepy face to be their leader. I know there is more to the way these things go, but c'mon.

[QUOTE=Florence;33240633]Yes, religion can make you happy, in the same way a crazy person thinks the asylum he's in is Charlie's Chocolate Factory: it's belief and self-delusion, nothing factual. Rational people don't hold illusions and see things as they truly are, hence why they are more cynical and might be more tragic and grave. Sanity has it's drawbacks :)[/QUOTE] "[I]look at me and my pure intellectual superiority i'm just SO smart[/I]"

[IMG]http://www.hhsdrama.com/images/Gran-Torino-movie-17.jpg[/IMG] "Well I think you're an over educated 27 year old virgin who likes to hold hands of old ladys who are superstitious and promices them eternity"

[QUOTE=Mon;33241663]"[I]look at me and my pure intellectual superiority i'm just SO smart[/I]"[/QUOTE] so are you actually disagreeing with him or not

[QUOTE=Florence;33240633]Rational people don't hold illusions and see things as they truly are, hence why they are more cynical and might be more tragic and grave. Sanity has it's drawbacks :)[/QUOTE] If you're depressed at reality yet claim to be rational, you're doing something wrong.

[QUOTE=Megafanx13;33233660]Churches need more jazz.[/QUOTE] My church had a jazz band a couple years back.

I'm sure it would make a grieving mother happier to know that her recently deceased child is now in a good place in heaven with a God and is well and she will reunite with her child when she passes too, instead of "the child is dead and you'll never see him/her again". [editline]13th November 2011[/editline] Religion comforts people, thought that was a well established fact.

[QUOTE=Turnips5;33233666]an invisible sky wizard [/QUOTE] fuck you. Also i think people who try to link religious activities with darwinistic psychology are annoying. "They are doing it because that some lesser human beings are born to finding living in life disrupting virtual constraints is comfortable" Its annoying. Leave religion alone with your science, the answer is easy: Science and Religion does not contradict. And for you christbashers out there, you should check out buddhism, they [B]mummify themselves.[/B] [editline]13th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Florence;33240633]Yes, religion can make you happy, in the same way a crazy person thinks the asylum he's in is Charlie's Chocolate Factory: it's belief and self-delusion, nothing factual. Rational people don't hold illusions and see things as they truly are, hence why they are more cynical and might be more tragic and grave. Sanity has it's drawbacks :)[/QUOTE] Why does people like you always have some anime avatar? I mean i see alot of people without anime and furry avatars that dosent do it, the tendency follows theese two social groups. Just wondering, like hell.

ALL HAIL THE GOD-EMPEROR

[QUOTE=TheFilmSlacker;33240307]Going to church scares me because of...well...you know. [img]http://www.turnbacktogod.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/jesus-christ-0107.jpg[/img] God, that photo is frightening to me.[/QUOTE] Jesus sure looks pretty [I]white[/I] for being born in Israel.