how much longer do religious people live than non?

Question

just asking. i want it in an average of years, or percentage, if you could.

Answer 1

There is no statistic for theists vs atheists.

However, the National Institute of Health did a study on Latter-day saints (Mormons) and found that those who obey the Word of Wisdom (an edict to avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and too much meat) live 11 years longer than the US national average. Link here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom#Health_studies_regarding_Latter-day_Saints

A quote:
"members enjoy a life expectancy eight to 11 years longer than that of the general white population in the United States"

Answer 2

An interesting question.

Unfortunately there is no way to really do a study on it.

For who would we count as religious people?

Would we count those that say they are religious go to church then get drunk, lie cheat, steal, etc. the rest of the time as religious?

Or would we count people that never go to church but have a deep faith in The Father, Son and Holy Sprit and try to sincerely live a good life in the eyes of God?

More importantly how would we really know if they are really following the path of Our Creator or not regardless of what they say?

I know a lot of people that will look you straight in the eye and tell you what a fine religious person they are, yet their actions say a very different story.

And at the same time I know people that sincerely try to follow the way of Our Creator that do not claim to be religious.

Its an interesting question but I’m just not sure there is a realistic way to study it.

Though obviously people that lead a healthy life style, which people following Our Creator should do, would tend to live longer.

But then so would anyone if they took care of their body they way we are suppose to.


May Our Creator watch over you and your family.

Answer 3

I did not know that they really live that much longer. I suppose that lifestyles would have some bearing. However, there are lots of fat preachers out there and addicts that go to church every sunday then booze and shoot up during the week. I think that someone that could follow the bible entirely would have a longer life on earth because they believe their bodies are the temple of God and take care of themselves. But we are all sinners and fall short. I am 77 and never became a born again christian until I was 63. Do not know how I lived that long. I certainly did not deserve a long life.

Answer 4

This begs the question of what exactly you mean by a "religious person". Some polls try determining this with questions that simply don't apply to everybody. For example, a question might be "How many times a week do you attend religious services?" But in my experience some of the most religious people don't periodically go to a group service. And there are plenty who practice their religion in a solitary way. So beware of any quick and simple answers to this question.

Answer 5

Although such correlations have been found, what hasn't been found, is the cause. Don't make the mistake of assuming that religiosity is the cause of longer life span. It might be, but then again, there could be soemthing else that tends to lead to both religiosity and longer life spans - such as a good family life in childhood in societies dominated by religious belief.

Answer 6

I'm guessing non-religious live way more than religious due to lack of stress from all the guilt religious people have to go through.

Answer 7

I think it varies, but I know that factors considered are weekly church attendance, prayer, meditation, and attitude. Also, people that are happily married usually live longer, especially men. People that are trying to stay sober also find it easier with religious beliefs and faith helps to reduce people's fear of death, improving their mental health. It is also indicated that people who are religious might be healthier and recover from illnesses faster.

Answer 8

How appropriate to the statistics that teach which skill something properly worth a damn? "precisely how non secular involvement boosts wellness is doubtful, the researchers say." Ever hear the term "correlation does no longer equivalent causation"? Yeah, style of applies right here. And lower back I ask: teach me how this makes a distinction for something. teach me how this proves any god. teach me how this disproves evolution or the large Bang. teach me how this concerns in any context to something proper with every person alive immediately. Please.

Answer 9

Depends which religious group you're referring to. It appears fanatical muslim men don't live very long on account of some of them wanting to sacrafice themselves for Allah....etc
I don't know there is any data on this kind of thing and even if there was you'd have to take into account diet, lifestyle, exercise, previous medical conditions, level of risk in their daily life etc.

Answer 10

Longevity would depend more on your diet and/or lifestyle. I THINK since Xians tend to be conservative and conservative people usually have a stable income and lifestyle, their diet is usually better.
However, nutrition seems to be becoming more of a liberal concern so that assumption may be proven wrong.