In backward countries, religion brings a sense of satisfaction
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The higher the quality of life in the country, the less the gap in the satisfaction of life between believers and non-believers.
A group of scientists, led by American psychologist Ed Diner, a professor at the University of Illinois, conducted a study of the relationship between happiness and religiosity of people in different countries of the world. Data from 2005-2009 for the Gallup World Poll survey conducted in more than 150 countries were used; we are talking about issues related to religious affiliation, satisfaction with life, respect for others, social support, positive and negative feelings.
Previous similar studies did not have global coverage, limited to individual countries (mostly the US). Their authors based on the findings often concluded that religious people are happier than atheists. However, according to Ed Diner and colleagues, the overall picture is as follows.
In the most disadvantaged societies (where they often starve, and the average life expectancy is small), believers are much happier. Religion gives people support and respect for others, as well as a subjective sense of satisfaction with life (which is evident from the answers to the relevant questions of Gallup World Poll). The better the system of social assistance, health care and education in the country, the lower the unemployment and crime rate - the less difference in how happy believers and unbelievers feel themselves. The gap practically disappears in countries with the highest living standards.
There is also an inverse relationship between the quality of life and the percentage of people claiming that religion is very important to them. The pattern is observed even within the United States: in one of the most backward states in all respects, the Mississippi, the believers are 88%, and in one of the most prosperous, Vermont, 44% (the world average level of religiosity is 68%). President Obama was right when, when he was a candidate, he claimed that the so-called Rednecks "turned to Jesus and the firearm" from despair.
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