Relation of Happiness and Religion

How do they coincide?

Happiness should be something that is available to everyone. Yet in todays world, it can be hard to find that. Religion may not be the answer for some, but many find the peace they are searching for within it.

          This blog hits home with me because I was introduced to God and church as a young child but never really took hold of it until there was a life threatening accident within my immediate family. I was taken to church with my grandmother the following Sunday, and since then it has been life changing. This post is meant for anyone who feels like they have something missing from their lives or anyone pursuing religion and not sure of it.  

         This topic is of big interest to a lot of psychologists today. According to Dr. Lyubomirsky, " 47 percent of people who report attending religious services several times a week describe themselves as "very happy", versus 28 percent of those who attend less than once a month" (Lyubomirsky,2008). This analysis came from the fact that these individuals were socializing with like minded people more often than the others were. Putting aside whether one believes in God or not, there is power in good human interaction and it can have positive affects on happiness. Another psychologist, Dr. Barber says that, " Religion has a primary soothing effect rather like the security blanket in which a small child derives comfort. We now have good scientific evidence that religious rituals and prayer work in just this way" (Barber,2013). Along with the socialization factor, it can have a calming effect for people experience crises or the daily stressors of life. I believe they are finding this evidence to be positive because humans rely on one another in tough times, and when no one is available they can resort to God for their source of comfort. 

                                              References  

            Barber, Nigel. Religion and happiness: further thoughts. Psychology Today. 
            https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-beast/201305/religion-and-happiness-further-thoughts

      
            Lyubomirsky, Sonja. Happiness and religion, happiness as Religion. Psychology Today.
            https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-happiness/200806/happiness-and-religion-happiness-religion