Study reveals 'secret ingredient' in religion that makes people happier

It is certainly also much more the case that in Christianity that unless you have a close personal relationship with the central figure in the bible, namely the Lord and God Jesus[Yeshua] - the Christ [Messiah] that your so-called happiness will be of a temporary nature.

Ultimate contentment comes from knowing the Saviour, Jesus, the Messiah, not through those close friendships.

BZZZT...go fish.

I get a lot of satisfaction out of my religion and I stay as far away from church as possible...

So does Islam make you happier...when you blow yourself and others to smithereens for the sake of allah?

By implication only"real" "christians" would be truly happy and everyone else would be much less so.

So does Islam make you happier...when you blow yourself and others to smithereens for the sake of allah?

You couldn't "know him" because we're both human, and that means you don't have special powers that I don't have, and I can't commune with the dead.

There is one other factor - the idea that there's "something" taking care of the Big Stuff that normal people feel powerless to affect. One less worry about the world.

they are actually looking for some greater technological society that can rescue them from the mess the world is in currently. Maybe even provide a way to have everlasting life.
OK, you can flame me on that totally absurd generalisation now.

I'm always happier as I leave church than I was going in.

Gabrieli pioneered the use of carefully specified groups of instruments and singers, with precise directions for instrumentation, and in more than two groups. The acoustics were and are such in the church that instruments, correctly positioned, could be heard with perfect clarity at distant points.

Ever wonder why evolutionists have this ardent, fervent search for extra-terrestrial life?
Deep-down, they are actually looking for some greater technological society that can rescue them from the mess the world is in currently. Maybe even provide a way to have everlasting life.
OK, you can flame me on that totally absurd generalisation now.

Deep-down, they are actually looking for some greater technological society that can rescue them from the mess the world is in currently.

Sorry Otto...Try Greed, cultural differences, language differences. The crusades = greed, Mongol Invasions=greed I don't need to keep going.

Sorry Otto, but people who think that Religion is the cause for all problems in the world are fooling themselves, even worse than non believers think those with any faith are fooling themselves.

Try Greed, cultural differences, language differences.

I would chalk up 80% of the worlds violence to the simple fact that people don't like change and like people that are most similar to themselves.

Sure religion has caused violence, but not as much as some people believe. More often religion is touted as a reason for those in power to satisfy a bigger cause of violence, greed.
The crusades = greed, Mongol Invasions=greed I don't need to keep going.

If you people are so happy not believing in Jesus

then why all the animosity towards those of us that do?

Charles Darwin started the theory of evolution based on flawed data.Did any of you realize he became a christian later in life and admited he was wrong?

And of religious violence, just think of how much religious based violence has been against religious people by secular people, its a lot.

If you people are so happy not believing in Jesus then why all the animosity towards those of us that do?

Charles Darwin started the theory of evolution based on flawed data.

Did any of you realize he became a christian later in life and admited he was wrong?

If you so called genuses check the bible you will see all of the prophecies relating to Jesus were fullfilled.

I urge any of you to look up word of God ministries online or tv and learn the truth.I would like to see everyone who does not know Christ to listen to pastor Mcminnis and learn how you can truly become whole.

No, no he didn't. You're making shit up, this would be why we show you some personal animosity, because you're lying.

People tend to be different. There are quite unreasonable non-believers as well as there are quite reasonable believers. And vice-versa.

Theodosius Dobzhansky - evolutionary scientist and believer.

Yes.

Yes.

Why is Frajo trying so desperately to justify religionism?

Your exemplifying guy may convince some that it's ok to practice religion- and it is not.

Why is Frajo trying so desperately to justify religionism?

While your preaching shows aspects of a wannabe-tyrant I'm proposing peaceful co-existence.

People at the top don't like change. The lowlings really would like certain changes...Greed arises from hierarchies. The top needs to keep its base quiet.

I'm happy without needing to convert people who are thinking differently.

Otto1932 shows elements of fear and despair

and is pressured

to deliver non-falsifiable statements about some "inevitability"

The example of Theodosius Dobzhansky may help believers to find their peace with evolution.

Otto1932 shows elements of fear and despair

Well, I and many others think differently, certainly more benevolent than censor nazis like yourself, and you would shout us down and gang-rate us rather than let us have our say?

I'm 1/5ing you, otto, because you're going off the rails on your rants again...It also amuses me that your paranoia is so severe that you think frajo and I are somehow coordinated in our disagreement with your style.

I like how you react to someone rating your comments in a way you dislike by engaging in retaliatory ratings on comments in completely different articles and on completely different topics.

Is it that hard to migrate to China? If she doesn't already live there why not move there?

Sure you might have your google a little "broken" and have the state police monitor your physorg activity, but the commies are really cute fuzzy misunderstood bunnies...really they are...

Well, I and many others think differently, certainly more benevolent than censor nazis like yourself

Youre the one with the extremist, anarchist position that 'all' people at the top cant be trusted because they are 'all' greedy and malevolent.

I take comfort and pleasure in the knowledge that the Real Leaders in this world are benevolent

Feels good man.

Like frajos little attack Pudel thrashymushnuts for instance

What leaders would you actually be talking about?

Doesn't matter who They are. It only matters what They do and why. Only kleiner Scheissmacher Pudel would want to waste all their time trying to find out who they are rather than appreciate what They do.

Like frajos little attack Pudel thrashymushnuts for instance

and for the love of sanity its Poodle NOT Pudel! Use a bloody spell checker, Windows has it built in, OR USE GOOGLE.

Sure you might have your google a little "broken" and have the state police monitor your physorg activity

Your dead heroes all had their roots firmly planted in religionist soil.

We know better now.

Philosophy is dead.

People at the top don't like change. The lowlings really would like certain changes...Greed arises from hierarchies. The top needs to keep its base quiet.

-Youre preaching mistrust from a paranoid perspective. Note the implication, that 'all' people at the top dont like change, etc.

Youre the one with the extremist, anarchist position that 'all' people at the top cant be trusted because they are 'all' greedy and malevolent.

Philosophy today is the extension of physics and mathematics: Does empty space exist?

Your logic processor is severely flawed. "People at the top don't like..." does _not_ imply "all people at the top don't like...". It is short for "there are people at the top who don't like ..." and allows for percentages between "greater than zero" and 100.

Never heard of Jean-Paul Sartre?

Never heard of Jean-Paul Sartre?

the philo Pudel never mentioned him? He gushes only of Kant and Hume and their ilk.

HEY SH
What issue do you have with this comment? Sartre was an existentialist and Marxist which your buddy thrashy is definitely not. Something else you don't like about it?

I dislike the fact that you're attempting to ascribe a stance to someone when no argument has been made by trying to utilize a common viewpoint.

It's the same sort of crap that marjon and freebigot use when talking to anyone they disagree with.

You're becomming religious again. As I said above, "The Great Creator" isn't far off from "The Great Leader" in terms of the depth of mental gymnastics and logical failure.

Some denominations are even willing to abandon the concept of God altogether. If the social aspect of a religious community is of paramount importance, these churches should be blossoming. They are not!

Charles Darwin started the theory of evolution based on flawed data.

Did any of you realize he became a christian later in life and admited he was wrong?

If you so called genuses check the bible you will see all of the prophecies relating to Jesus were fullfilled

I urge any of you to look up word of God

.I would like to see everyone who does not know Christ to listen to pastor Mcminnis and learn how you can truly become whole.

1) Scientifically, your brain NEVER touches the external world - it fabricates what you IMAGE to be real by interpreting electro-chemical signals.

2) Our best interpretation of the world is that we live on an insignificate piece of dust in an expanse to large to comprehend.

I have eye-witnessed a real, indisputable synoptic gospel style miracle healing whereby I watched a person's leg grow out by several inches in response to prayer, and no, it wasn't a hoax.

How do you mean, grow out? Out of what? What were the circumstances of this 'miracle'? Who was present? How was it presented? And why do you equate this event with proof of god?

As in one leg was absolutely, irrefutably shorter than the other by several inches. They prayed and it GREW.

This was not some gimmick.

Can someone show me the scientific evidence that rules out the existence of God?

Can someone show me the scientific evidence that rules out the existence of God?

Can someone show me the scientific evidence that rules out the existence of God?

As in one leg was absolutely, irrefutably shorter than the other by several inches. They prayed and it GREW.

This was not some gimmick.

the existence of leprechauns, unicorns, Zeus, and underpants gnomes.

Zeus was a bad tempered son of an even worse tempered father. Pray that he no longer exists. But only if you are SURE that his father is

The whole Jesus story is a simple modification of the mythos of Greece and Rome.

The son Promethus, who betrays his father Zeus

Then you have the intermixing of Mithra from Persia,

And of course Horus, who did the same.

I assure you, it was, and you were duped. I can do the same trick if I'm wearing pants.

If that's all it takes for people to believe in god, then it's little wonder that there are so many of them around.

Why not do it in front of James Randi and collect a million?

I assure you it wasn't a trick.

I actually watched the leg, from knee to ankle, GROW.

.. you can't comprehend.

.. the only reason I know God is real. But apparantly you're the one too stupid to bother reading something and understanding it in the first place.

At a minimum God cannot predict the future, because the ability to do so implies the existence of an underlying predictable mechanism that operates the universe.

What evidence rules out the existence of a creator?

The mind of the psychotic is a very foreign thing for the mind of the healthy to comprehend.

On the other hand, if they have reached no conclusion, then why argue so vigorously against a creator's existence?

I actually watched the leg, from knee to ankle, GROW. Which is what you can't comprehend.

Moreover, I thought I told you, idiot, that this wasn't by any means the only reason I know God is real.

But apparantly you're the one too stupid to bother reading something and understanding it in the first place.

If a conclusion cannot ever be reached, ie, it's not falsifiable, then why would a rational person pander to those who promote make-believe fantasies?

If you can't prove or disprove the notion of a creator, then it's because such ideas can have no practical effect on any decision anybody has to make about how to design an experiment, build a bridge, interpret data, etc. That's the reason the notion of a creator god is held with such disdain on a science site. It has the same effect of asking how leprechauns effect gold price stability, how the diameter of a unicorn's horn determines the bonding energies of hydrogen to oxygen in a water molecule, and how underpants gnomes are the source of Van Der Wall's forces. In other words, it's fiction.

It seems to me that the only conclusion that a truly objective analysis can reveal is that no conclusion regarding a creator can be made

However, the commentary against the idea of a creator is made with such disdain

conclusion that a creator does not exist.

On the other hand, if they have reached no conclusion, then why argue so vigorously against a creator's existence?

I am not objective and I don't claim to be.

Bible to a moral guide that works for me.

However, I am equally uneasy with the laws of physics that make nonsensical predictions such as time travel into the past.

Thus, I take the good from each thing, reject the nonsense,

On the other hand, why would a rational person expect to change the mind of someone they percieve to be irrational, especially if the rational person cannot supply evidence in support of their viewpoint?

Claiming to be objective and then taking a position that is unprovable is a contradiction that reduces credibility.

It is hard for me to imagine the upside to that.

On a science site it irrelevant to science UNLESS you show something that would require a god.

If there is no way to test why should anyone believe or disbelieve that there is a creator.

On the other hand, if they have reached no conclusion, then why argue so vigorously against a creator's existence?

Because it isn't science and this a science site

Which I find odd since the Bible has much that is imoral....

Go one more step. The Bible is demonstably the word of men in the form of legends, myth and some rather oddly slanted history. Why go with it at all?

I don't agree with everything in the Bible or in the laws of physics.

What position do you think the people here are taking that is so objectionable? We're not taking the position that your creator god is false, so much as that it's a silly, childish, distracting and insulting fairy tale that has no place in serious discourse and investigation about what's going on in the world and why. That's why I mention leprechauns, unicorns and underpants gnomes, to underline the identity your creator god has with those ideas. The upside to taking this position and treating this idea like the silly, childish, distracting and insulting idea it is, is so we might not have to deal with so many of them in the future.

Because it isn't science and this a science site

Is arguing an unprovable position science?

I don't agree with everything in the Bible or in the laws of physics.

You don't agree with the laws of physics? Perhaps you'd like to reformulate them, or have you already?

Of course the Bible was written by men, but that does not mean I can't learn anything from it

Moral lessons can be learned from good and bad. I don't agree with everything in the Bible or in the laws of physics.

If you accept BB theory all the way to the singularity then you are forced to deal with the moment of birth

Do you believe that the universe was born from an eternal metaverse consisting of membranes, or whatever, that has always existed, or do you believe that the universe was created as a result of a random fluctuation of nothing?

Is that really your conclusion?

A statement made to indicate disagreement with some aspects is taken to mean disagreement with everyting.

Did you also conclude from my statement that I disagree with everything in the Bible?

Your post is utterly devoid of reason.

Precisely, so why carry on an extended debate? What is the upside?

Is it that hard to migrate to China? If she doesn't already live there why not move there?

Sure you might have your google a little "broken" and have the state police monitor your physorg activity, but the commies are really cute fuzzy misunderstood bunnies...really they are...

China is a country that has always had a rather communal culture. They absorb ideas much faster than many other cultures as well. There's an old saying that any invader to China is like the flooding of the Yangtze into the sea. Over time the water receeds and the sea remains the same.

When introduced to capitalism they absorbed the tenets of it. When introduced to industry, they absorbed it. They'll one day be very much like us, but only if we actually talk to them, rather than treating them like hostile invaders.

So when people like QC state that they watched a man's leg grow several inches at a mega-church revival we can expose how utterly ridiculous the claim is. Without debate there is no understanding of opposing viewpoints. Without that understanding no one can ever see eye to eye and tradegy continues. It's time for more debate on these topics, not less.

Yes, because it is what you wrote. It shows muddled thinking.

How can you possibly disagree with some aspects of the laws of physics? That makes even less sense than cherry-picking bits out of the bible.

That you're even trying to defend your earlier comments diminishes your credibility.

However, the vast majority of the world believes in a creator and I object to those who think they are stupid for believing so. Some of the most intelligent people I have ever met are people of faith.

I am equally uneasy with the laws of physics that make nonsensical predictions such as time travel into the past

I have to agree. James Randi has said - I can't find the quote - that being fooled doesn't mean you're stupid. I'd wager that most athiests/ agnostics/ignostics on this site were believers at one time. Empathy and dialogue go a long way.

Yeah it's all our fault they blow people's brains out routinely for heinous reasons. Like I said cute fluffy misunderstood bunnies....

All it shows is a poor choice of words

I disagree that time travel into the past is possible, should I dispose of general relativity, or should I cherry pick what works?

I disagree with the use of renormalization as part of a theoretical framework, should I throw out QED or accept renormalization as a practical tool?

Your blind obedience to the laws physics betrays your lack of objectivity.

You are cowards to take my challenge. It is not my tv show.

We don't need your money but we would like you to understand there is a loving God who created this earth and wants to show you his love.

Religion is a man based misunderstanding like trying to do good to get to heaven. No one can enter the kingdom but through Jesus Christ.

Wake up because this world is becoming more evil every day and soon it will be too late.

If the mayans knew so much why aren't they still around?

Real christians wan't to help others and love their neighbors like God loves us.

I'm willing to bet, that I as an atheist could found an online Christian church and start soliciting donations.

I bet it wouldn't take me more than a month to start raking in more than a grand a week.

Anyone wanna take the bet? Any donations would be sent to an actual charity, not godthink.

No one can enter the kingdom but through Jesus Christ. He is a well documented person not an imaginary friend.

No one can enter the kingdom but through Jesus Christ.

He is a well documented person not an imaginary friend.

You can read about the end of the world in Gods manifested word the bible.

Code_Warrior your failure is not in your logic but in the phrase you used. The Laws of physics are just that, laws. These laws have been proven and proven and their results are solid and unchanging.

Another poor choice of words? I doubt it as it's semantically incorrect. Time travel is not a law (as far as anyone knows), but an adjunct of various theoretical frameworks.

I disagree with the use of renormalization as part of a theoretical framework, should I throw out QED or accept renormalization as a practical tool?

Again, renormalization isn't a law or even a theory, it's simply a tool.

In the end we have no evidence to support the existence of "god" nor do we have evidence to support the non-existence of "god". Only evidence that disproves various religions ideas on the various behaviors of god(s) and what their belief systems say and how their belief systems work. If god is real I ask you to prove it, if god is not real I ask you to prove it. If we become tenacious in our ideas of god (for or against) then we have become religious.

I'm willing to bet, that I as an atheist could found an online Christian church and start soliciting donations.

Code_Warrior your failure is not in your logic but in the phrase you used. The Laws of physics are just that, laws. These laws have been proven and proven and their results are solid and unchanging.

Hey soulman, care to get in a ring, put on gloves and call me names as i throw left and right hooks into your ribs before belly to back suplexing you into the ground and slapping on a rear naked choke? I don't take well to insults and i would gladly fight you and three friends of your choosing to raise money for charity. I turn the other cheek while throwing spinning backfists. Be nice,always be nice. I haven't attacked you. When you burn, think of me.

Are you willing to risk eternity suffering because you are too proud to really find out the secret of true happiness ?

My bad, anyway if you had enough courage in your self important misguided lives with your pseudo intellectual psycho babble you might listen and learn.

The bible is the manifested word of God.

Are you willing to risk eternity suffering

I don't want anyone to find out the hard way when the answers are so easy to find.

I know beyond a doubt when i die i will be in heaven and that gives me peace

If you choose not to seek God first i feel sorry for you all

There is one way only to heaven through Jesus Christ

Some people are so delusional they ignore whats in front of them.

Look at our world.

I served in the 82nd airborne and never saw an explosion create anything.

That seems ridiculous to me.

My dad's not an amoeba.

If we are evolved from animals where are fossil records of in between species

The earth is not billions of years old.

Carbon dating is a joke like man made global warming.

If man causes global warming then did chain smoking cavemen cause an ice age that killed the dinosaurs?

Some people are always going to be blindly believing myths perpetuated by lying

so called scientists trying to make a name for themselves

I guess that's why the bible says don't cast pearls before swine

Alot of you smell alot like bacon.

Do any of you see the moral decline of the united states goes hand in hand with taking God out of everything?

There have been other nations before us which have already gone the same direction ours is

Hitler was elected by a democratic society

Our elected officials are turning our free society into a communist one where animals have more rights than people.

Values have been turned upside down.

.We are headed towards a global government

When the trumpet sounds and millions of people are instantly caught up and you can't find the crazy christians

It is God's word yet again being fullfilled

Remember when you take a mark on your forehead or wrist like a barcode scanner in order to purchase anything

Jon tried to tell me but i didn't listen

I don't take well to insults

I haven't attacked you

When you burn, think of me

Hey soulman, care to get in a ring, put on gloves and call me names as i throw left and right hooks into your ribs before belly to back suplexing you into the ground and slapping on a rear naked choke? I don't take well to insults and i would gladly fight you and three friends of your choosing to raise money for charity. I turn the other cheek while throwing spinning backfists. Be nice,always be nice. I haven't attacked you. When you burn, think of me.