Do you think people are happier and healthier that believe in GOD?

Question

Sanjay Gupta from CNN has been doing a story on: Chasing Life, on people who live the happiest and longest..

One group was the 7th Day Adventist.
They have a very healthy diet consisting of mainly fresh vegetables, they honor the sabbath, they have no stress because of a prayerful life, they do not or believe in taking Anti-depressants which most of the folks in the world are on.

They are happy and healthier than any group in the USA...

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Statistics show that atheists are just as healthy and happy as the religious, and actually live a little longer.

Answer 2

Okay, first...yes I have to say it. Most of the people in the world are NOT on antidepressants, in fact only a very small portion of individuals are. Saying that most of the folks in the world are on antidepressants is a gross misinterpretation of the true situation!
Now to your question. My personal opinion is that people are happier if they believe if something. It could be spiritual, such as the 7th Day Adventists God, or it could be something tangible, such as a hobby an individual is passionatly committed to. I cannot see how a believe in God could improve the groups health, which is maintained by proper diet and regular exercise.
Maybe the group is happier and healthier than "any group in the USA" because they take Saturdays off and don't stress, or maybe CNN was just spinning the story to make it a good one. Either way, having a spiritual belief is good for you, just don't become an Extremist!

Answer 3

The SDA are using religious beliefs as motivation to live a healthy lifestyle. Anyone can do that themselves, although community support makes it easier. Absolutely no reason why that community has to be based on religious values though. (Look at data from the Scandinavian countries, which tend to functionally atheist.)

My personal story is that my religous beliefs and practices brought me some comfort re my chronic health problems. More importantly, they gave me something to do to feel like I was trying to address them.

Eventually, things got so bad that nothing was a sufficient comfort and I had no choice but to take tremendous financial risk and seek alternative health care (medical doctors had proven worse than helpful). While I am far from well, I out of danger healthwise. But if I had acted years earlier, my recovery would likely have been much greater. At the very least, I wouldn't have suffered as much as I did for as long as I did.

So the comforts of religion very clearly had a negative impact on my over-all well-being. Simply because they made it possible for me to tolerate the intolerable longer. Prayer proved to be a distraction, not a benefit.

Answer 4

I know that for me personally I have had several people comment on my ability to maintain joy even during the worst of life, and I credit that to being a Christian. Even when I have a bad day I never get to a point that I feel hopeless or alone in my struggles. I have a level of contentment in my life because of my faith in God.
As far as health, I don't think so. Being a Christian does not exclude you from the troubles this world has to offer, but I do think we tend to handle it better.

Answer 5

actually, that is true.
It not just with christians but most people who live a religious life. This could be because havint hope is a higher power gives strength, comfort, power and forms of control.

SDA members are very strict however, they dont believe in eating meat ( the stricter ones) and put alot of faith in GOD so they dont believe in alot of medical practices. Like the Jehoviah's witnesses.

Answer 6

I think that generalizations are always wrong. I'm sure that not every 7th day adventist is happier or healthier than any other faith or belief.

I'm sure there are atheists, christians, jews, muslims, etc... who may be happier and healthier than the adventists. Not all people are the same. You cannot judge the individual by the group they belong to.

Answer 7

I think that a person CAN be happier and healthier if they believe in God... however, the likelihood of that is far greater if they come to really TRUST God.
Faith is believing in something or someone you cannot see.
Trust, is KNOWING something or someone that has been revealed to you in some way.
I can BELIEVE a world renowned tight rope walker who has walked across the Grand Canyon on a rope a hundred times carrying another person could do it again.
But you would really have to TRUST him to allow him to carry YOU across.
God teaches you to trust Him if you allow Him to come into your life and eventually you will see, that nomatter what happens, He is able to carry you across the Grand Canyon.
To know Him, is to love Him... and therein lies your salvation.

Answer 8

People who believe in God are not nesessarilly happier and healthier. The CNN story is about only one group of believers who watch what they eat, and I find it hard to believe that they encounter no stress. its one of those things thats not really avoidable. I myself find the days much easier to get through knowing someone is going through it with me (God). I think people who not only believe in God but have a personal relationship with Him are generally happier because thay know that whatever happens God will be there to get them through it.

Answer 9

See, that's a trick question. There are people who believe in God, and there are people who believe in God, read his word, go to church to worship and learn all of God!! Now there are the people who are happier. God has made everyone different, that is why you go to the different Church's, until you find the one you click with. The one you feel right that. The one you can't wait to go to. Its there, so never give up. I go to church twice a week and I want to go more, but we only have services two days a week. The more you want Him, the more he wants to do for you. You get all your BLESSINGS through his GRACE, and you get his GRACE through your FAITH!! Everything good is all in GODS GLORY!!!

Answer 10

My innovations? diverse strokes for various individuals. on an identical time as a super form of Christians have confidence which you could not be triumphant or happy without God, that's not real. many all people is, as you have of course considered. those helpful, healthful features are no longer in ordinary terms to be recent in Christians. they could be recent in all people around the planet. you do no longer must be Christian to acquire them. I additionally locate it complicated to have confidence that their success and helpful lives are a recent out of your God. maximum in all possibility, the two have extremely no longer something to do with one yet another. you would be happy and helpful and healthful WITH God, or without. this does not unavoidably negate the thought God does not exist, however I, in my opinion don't think interior the Christian God. yet I do have confidence that on an identical time as faith can play an significant section on your existence, and extremely does not recommend you're a loser ;-), it additionally does not recommend that throughout ordinary terms people who have confidence will ever locate happiness and stay a solid existence. i think the way you view this relies upon on no remember in case you have confidence that something solid that occurs to a individual is a demonstration that God is working on your existence, or no remember if it purely skill that... solid issues purely ensue to human beings, without or with God's direct impression. :)

Answer 11

I am a Christian and i am very happy but not for the reasons you state. I am at total peace with myself because i know the truth. That is that Jesus died for my sins. I accept this and live the way God wants, i will have a glorious life after death. My purpose in life, what God wants me to spend my life doing is spreading his word. I do this to the best of my ability.