Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Those who sometimes believe in God are the least happy: Does believing in God contribute to happiness, unhappiness, or is it neutral? Here are the mean sadness score from the General Social Survey (1=very happy, 2=pretty happy, 3=not too happy):

Mean Sadness Score--Whites

Doesn't believe 1.79
No way to find out 1.88
Some higher power 1.77
Believes sometimes 1.93
Believes but doubts 1.82
Knows God exists 1.73


Mean Sadness Score--Blacks

Doesn't believe 1.86
No way to find out 2.00
Some higher power 2.04
Believes sometimes 2.26
Believes but doubts 2.08
Knows God exists 1.97

These numbers echo my earlier analysis that it isn't so healthy to be squishy on these issues. Emile Durkheim argued that it is a pathological condition to have Socrates' outlook: "The only thing I know is that I know nothing."

Some might think that atheists would be miserable, but they are the happiest black group, and the third happiest white group. The differences are not large, but they are statistically significant.

16 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:09 AM

    Perhaps the if you believe in God, you despair over all the evil things that happen in the world? Simplistic, yes, but I am specifically of thinking about the phrase, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Why do evil people seem to prosper, etc...? The religious may say that this is part of God's plan in some way, but deep down, do they really believe that starving children are part of God's plan?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous9:24 AM

    If, like Homer Simpson, you believe that, "life is just a bunch of stuff that happens..." you can't exactly have a crisis of faith.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'd be miserable if I believed in God: the Old Testament paints him as a nasty piece of work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:16 PM

    Yes, that' why I believe in Magical Gum Drop Man and the Lollipop fairies. They are nice pieces of work.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.

    스포츠토토
    안전놀이터
    토토사이트
    안전카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  6. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. Perfectly written subject material, Really enjoyed examining.

    스포츠토토
    카지노사이트
    파워볼게임
    바카라

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:15 PM

    webgirls.pl In relation to battling candidiasis, patients often times have their job cut out for them. The reason being candida albicans can readily come to be constant and continuing. Bearing that in mind, on this page, we are going to current a selection of among the best verified candida albicans treatment and reduction recommendations around.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous2:17 PM

    https://gamebegin.xyz You are able to process on your own. A pitching equipment permits you to set the pace in the soccer ball. By packing several baseballs to the device, you are able to practice hitting without needing a pitcher. This electrical machine is ideal for all those who wish to exercise baseball alone. Pitching models can be acquired in your community wearing products shop.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous8:29 PM

    https://gameeffect.xyz Many people have cherished this game of baseball for several years. There are enthusiasts around the world, from dedicated very little-leaguers to perish-challenging spectators. This article has ideas to prove how pleasurable baseball happens to be.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous11:45 AM

    オンライン カジノ ビットコイン The truth is them on mags and also on TV, men and women who seem like their forearms and legs will explode as their muscles are incredibly big! There is absolutely no need to have for you to take the body to that levels when you don't wish to, since the basic methods on this page will help you to construct muscles in a healthy approach.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I was impressed by your writing. I have a similar hobby as you. 사설토토

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a really helpful post. It has helped me a lot. Thanks to you for writing this post. 파워볼게임

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is incredible, I feel really happy to have seen your webpage.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I gained much unknown information, the way you have clearly explained is really fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, superb blog layout! Magnificent, let alone the content

    ReplyDelete
  16. The term "those who believe in God sometimes" refers to individuals with inconsistent beliefs, struggles with faith, occasional believers, and cultural or social influences. These individuals may have moments of strong faith and doubt, struggle with maintaining their faith, turn to faith during crises, or engage with religious traditions culturally or socially but not daily loudoun criminal lawyer.

    ReplyDelete

Are gun owners mentally ill?

  Some anti-gun people think owning a gun is a sign of some kind of mental abnormality. According to General Social Survey data, gun owners ...