GOD

[briannell]

Is God an Anti-Depressant?
Studies Show That Religious People Are Happier

Jan. 23, 2005 — - Is there a secret weapon against depression? Research suggests it might be religion. Studies show that people who practice some sort of religion are happier and less stressed out than those who don't.

Those findings come as no surprise to Dr. Harold Koenig, a psychologist and co-director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University, who says there are a number of factors that contribute to religious people being happier.

"Generally, religious people have a positive view of the world," said Koenig. "They believe they are here for a reason. They see a purpose and a meaning in their life and have hope."

Studies show that under severely stressful conditions, religious people also cope better.

"They feel that God is with them and gives them strength," said Koenig.


What About Spirituality?
It is not clear if there is a difference in happiness between those who practice organized religion and those who consider themselves spiritual, said Koenig. In part, that's because it is more difficult to define spirituality.

However, Koenig added, practicing within an organized religion seems to offer people important group and community support. While an activity like volunteering can provide much of the same satisfaction as attending church, many people need external motivation.

"If you give of yourself and love others and have a positive outlook, you can achieve the same thing," said Koenig. "The only thing is most people can't do that. Most people need some kind of faith system and group support which a church provides."

Koenig says it seems to make little difference what religion people practice -- whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim -- but rather how devoutly they practice it.


Are Humans Hard-Wired to Be Religious?
While surveys show that about 80 percent of Americans consider themselves religious, only about 40 percent of Americans reported regularly attending church -- about the same percentage as in 1939, said Koenig. And younger generations are consistently less religious than their parents.

But Koenig said there is some research suggesting that humans actually are biologically wired to be religious or spiritual. In fact, this week's Time magazine cover story, "The God Gene," says many scientists believe our DNA compels us to seek a higher power.

"Religious faith may help people live longer," said Koenig. "Because it affects our health, it may be that it's genetically programmed."

Copyright © 2006 ABC News Internet Ventures

[briannell]

the part in this article that grabbed my attention was the part about faith and our health - may be it's genetic.

okay I come from a long line of preachers in my family so i should have this genetic God DNA right?

well, I think this researcher is right. I think that not only is religion an anti depressant, but that spirituality effects our overall health as well.

[gtapp]

Of course religious people are happier. Anyone on hallucinogenics is happy! You have to be taking something strong to believe that stuff. Apply just a touch of logic and the whole religious argument falls apart. I have had luck praying to the football gods.

[ChiOCat]

Of course religious people are happier. Anyone on hallucinogenics is happy! You have to be taking something strong to believe that stuff. Apply just a touch of logic and the whole religious argument falls apart. I have had luck praying to the football gods.

What logic? And why does it fall apart?

That's why it's called faith. I cannot understand any other way that human existance began. It's too complex to have just "happened."

[SonomaCat]

I think there tends to be a correlation between low stress and happiness in many people. If you have faith in something greater than yourself, it brings comfort, reduces stress, and probably makes one happier.

If one has a lot of conflict in their lives, they probably tend to be less happy. Religion removes conflict as it provides a brightline path to follow.

In the end, if it works for you (makes you happy) and it doesn't impeed upon anyone else's happiness, then do it.

[gtapp]

Of course religious people are happier. Anyone on hallucinogenics is happy! You have to be taking something strong to believe that stuff. Apply just a touch of logic and the whole religious argument falls apart. I have had luck praying to the football gods.

What logic? And why does it fall apart?

That's why it's called faith. I cannot understand any other way that human existance began. It's too complex to have just "happened."

1. If we evolved from apes why are there still apes? (not monkey)

This oddly enough is the most commonly asked question. It really is a silly question if you stop to think about it. This is like me asking you this:

If God created man from dust, why do we still have dust?

What most people don’t realize is evolution isn’t a ladder with humans sitting on top and bacteria on the bottom. It is more like a branching tree. When one population gets cut off from another population or enters another environment it must adapt.

The species both chimpanzees and humans evolved from is no longer alive today. Chimpanzees have not changed much from that ancestor. This is due to the fact that the environment hasn’t changed much and not much adaptation was required. Humans on the other hand have changed quite a bit. (Although we are still apes). This is due to the fact humans evolved in a different environment. One population of that Species (the ancestor of humans and chimps) got cut off from the other … they needed to adapt to the open savannah and thus over time evolved the ability to walk upright to see over the grass to see predators and got shorter hair to handle to heat of the open savannah. The brain on the other hand had many more factors that went into it to explain here (more then one like the other two). A good science book can explain all this in detail.

2. Isn't evolution just a theory and is unproven?

No! This is not true. Evolution is a fact. In science, a theory is a thoroughly tested statement of universal principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the world. A scientific theory therefore describes understanding that puts the facts together. The theory of evolution has taken the test of time and won. nothing has disproved it since Darwin first proposed it about 150 years ago. It is today considered one of the best proven sciences of all. In fact gravity is also “only” a theory. (Evolution has laws just like gravity has laws). Do you deny gravity exists? A scientific theory is not a “hunch" ,“guess” or even a "good guess" like too many people seem to think. In science theory is fact.

3. Are all species related?

Yes all living things are related and shared a common ancestor. So yes you are related to a banana but distantly. This can be seen in DNA.

4. How do organisms evolve?

Individual organisms don't evolve (You won’t see an animal one day and it something else the next) It is populations that evolve. Because individuals in a population differ, some in the population are better equipped to survive and reproduce these are the ones that survive and have more offspring, they pass on their beneficial traits on to the next generation. Over time, the population changes.


5. There is no evidence of a GOD!

6. If there was a GOD it would be logical to identify himself/herself and present a master plan.

[gtapp]

Next time you go to church say hi to the Easter Bunny for me!

[ChiOCat]

But where is the missing link? Because there still is a missing link between us and apes.

Yes, the bible says that creation happened in 7 days. But most bible stories were exagerated to make them memorable. Who's to say if that 7 days were really minutes, years, or thousands of years. I think evolution can be fit into creationism.

Yes, there is proof that species are tied by DNA, and seem to step up from one another. But no, there is no proof that at some point they spontaneously split from another being and evolved to something new. We've never seen it happen, only the aftermath of a new, related species. God could just have easily taken one created animal and created another similar. There is no less "proof" that was what happened.

If man stood up, and lost his hair to see over the grasses on the Savanah, why did my ancestors not regrow hair to live in the colder northern regions? It surely would come in handy when it's below zero!!


The Easter Bunny does not come to church. He's a secular creation. More a remanent from converting the Pagans by incorporating their customs into Christian events. But the kids do have fun, and it's not too hard to link eggs and rebirth to the Resurection. We do the same with Santa.

[ChiOCat]

For those who believe, God did send a few master plans. The 10 Commandments. And one we called Jesus.

I'm not trying to preach or convert. You have your beliefs, I have mine. I just don't like the arogant, you're an illogical idiot tone most non-belivers take when discussing religion.

[Bleedinbluengold]

http://www.powells.com/authors/chopra.html

Best book about God that I have ever read (and listened to on tape). One of the parts in this book discusses how God changes at any given moment in space-time depending on the circumstances being experienced by any given population of people. Basically, what the author suggests, is that we humans create whatever God we need at any given time.

"A History of God" by Karen Armstrong is quite compelling also. Easy to read and listen to, and discusses the history of God with respect to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.