Who's happier: people with - or without - religion?

No one here has taken any formal survey's I'm sure, but based on what you have observed, which group seems to be the happiest with life; people who claim religion, or people who don't?

I wouldn't presume to speak for anyone else but I'm just fine and dandy. And frankly, I think anyone who tries to speak for someone else on the matter is talking out of their ass.

Both sides think they can speak for everyone else. No point in trying. Besides, if I give my take, fights'll start.

But I'll say this. It's a fairly senseless question to ask. Passionate Religious people will more than likely see themselves as happier than their non-religious counterparts. Passionate Non-religious people will likely either see themselves or happier or be of the mindset that religious people are only happier because they are deluding themselves with their beliefs and such. Sure, there'll likely be exceptions but I think this'd likely be the reaction. Those not passionate towards either side would be a tad harder to predict, though I'd guess they'd be somewhere in the middle. At the end of the day, it'd all be just more validation of what said person believes.

Alan Smithee wrote:I wouldn't presume to speak for anyone else but I'm just fine and dandy. And frankly, I think anyone who tries to speak for someone else on the matter is talking out of their ass.

Notwithstanding my BELIEF that ppl who subscribe to religions can be self-delusionally happier.

^^^^ Just as I thought.

Well, Jesus never said that following Him was going to be an easy task all the time, and not without battles and issues throughout life--take up your cross and follow, means take all the crap that may come with that.

I don't think that you can really say that people with or without religion are happier than the other group--it's all in how you view life, individually and overcome what it is you need to overcome when a roadblock is tossed in your path. There are plenty of people out there who believe in God/religion, who are unhappy for various reasons, or feel stuck at some point in their lives, as well as plenty of people who are non-believers who feel the same way.

Likewise, there are those from both camps who have figured out what makes them happy, so I think it's more appropriate to say that happiness/contentment is a direct result of how you choose to see life, look beyond your current situation/problems and focus on your ultimate goal(s), whether or not you believe in God.

But personally, I'd rather have God in my corner because that makes me happy to know that carrying my own cross is not without purpose.

I can't answer that. There are miserable people with and without religion. And for anyone to assume anything different because a person may not subscribe to your beliefs is ridiculous. People find solace in their religion. Wherever you find contentment.....that's on you.

I think it's about equal.

I live in the state with the lowest "believers", and they are every bit as miserable as anywhere else, religion or not.

Forgiveness Man wrote:Besides, if I give my take, fights'll start.

I completely respect your views and opinions--- just not the one about people in heaven not wanting sex!


Through my OWN observations, people are equally happy/miserable with/without religion. however, my jewish and catholic friends feel more guilty about life than others. And my born again christian friends seem to be more excited about spreading the "good news" and less aware of the evil around them. Just my take.