True or False?
Devoutly religious people should be the happiest people on Earth.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
I have no idea. I don't know many, in fact I'm not sure I know any very well. The few I do know don't seem noticeably different from the bulk of the population.
Of course the question might be answered differently depending on where in the world it is asked. Here in North Western Europe where only a minority are religious and where religion is generally a quite private affair it's possible to know someone for a long time yet not know what their religious views and practices are so I think most people would answer either no or don't know.
You could also argue that a devoutly religious person who is a member of a missionary religion like Christianity or a militant one like Islam would generally be unhappy because the world has not conformed with their beliefs despite the religions having existed, fought, and argued for supremacy for over a thousand years.
The usual surveys of happiness usual put the Nordic countries at the top of the list. These countries are, or were, nominally Lutheran but in fact are now mostly agnostic or atheist.
Of course the question might be answered differently depending on where in the world it is asked. Here in North Western Europe where only a minority are religious and where religion is generally a quite private affair it's possible to know someone for a long time yet not know what their religious views and practices are so I think most people would answer either no or don't know.
You could also argue that a devoutly religious person who is a member of a missionary religion like Christianity or a militant one like Islam would generally be unhappy because the world has not conformed with their beliefs despite the religions having existed, fought, and argued for supremacy for over a thousand years.
The usual surveys of happiness usual put the Nordic countries at the top of the list. These countries are, or were, nominally Lutheran but in fact are now mostly agnostic or atheist.
rinkydinkydoink · M
@ninalanyon
For someone who has no idea I think you hit the nail on the head. The question as posed is too simplistic (and a trifle disrespectful on my part).
For someone who has no idea I think you hit the nail on the head. The question as posed is too simplistic (and a trifle disrespectful on my part).
ArishMell · 70-79, M
It is not an Either/Or question.
It depends why they are religious for a start.
If forced against their will into a belief by tyrannical parents, schools, sects or governments they have every reason to be unhappy. At least they can discard parental, school or cult stupidity and choose their own ideas - provided they have not been so crushed that they cannot think for themselves.
Other though, might have turned to religion to try to escape unhappiness.
While yet others lead happy, normal lives and are religious.
It depends why they are religious for a start.
If forced against their will into a belief by tyrannical parents, schools, sects or governments they have every reason to be unhappy. At least they can discard parental, school or cult stupidity and choose their own ideas - provided they have not been so crushed that they cannot think for themselves.
Other though, might have turned to religion to try to escape unhappiness.
While yet others lead happy, normal lives and are religious.
Adstar · 56-60, M
Depends on what religion they are following... If they are in a works based religion then they will tend to worry about their performance, if they are being good enough to attain the acceptance of God.. If they are Grace based believers then yeah they know they are forgiven and can have peace of mind..
AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F
False, religion does not take care of real world problems. If your lights get turned off and you are behind on rent, and will be evicted in lets say 3 days, i will just give you a bible, pat you on the shoulder and say pray on it! Do you think religion will always save you?
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calicuz · 56-60, M
@rinkydinkydoink
Unfortunately yes. People are always happy when they are told everything they want to hear, and they believe it. The "Christian Right" that's in all the news, and the White House, are not true Christians, they are "Christian Nationalists." More like the Protestant version of the Holy Roman Empire, in that, they believe in forced conversation, murder and genocide and ruling rather than allowing free will and liberty.
Unfortunately yes. People are always happy when they are told everything they want to hear, and they believe it. The "Christian Right" that's in all the news, and the White House, are not true Christians, they are "Christian Nationalists." More like the Protestant version of the Holy Roman Empire, in that, they believe in forced conversation, murder and genocide and ruling rather than allowing free will and liberty.
rinkydinkydoink · M
@calicuz
Man... this is so true. This is probably why Trump has been so successful : No matter what he does, his followers have faith he's on their side and he'll do the right thing. He has that vengeful, evangelical act down pat. How many surveys have you read that indicate his most devout followers will NEVER turn against him?
Man... this is so true. This is probably why Trump has been so successful : No matter what he does, his followers have faith he's on their side and he'll do the right thing. He has that vengeful, evangelical act down pat. How many surveys have you read that indicate his most devout followers will NEVER turn against him?
RisingMorningStar7 · 36-40, M