Posted: May 27, 2011 1:15 pm
Rome Existed wrote:So why do the more secular/atheist countries appear near the top of life expectancy charts?
It's complicated, isn't it? We've discussed that (moronic) video before. As I've mentioned, the most robustly supported evidence for the health benefits of faith is that regular attendance at at religious ceremonies predicts a longer lifespan. Religious belief on it's own does little to nothing. Now, it would be interesting to see what would happen if that was compared to a secular version of "church." Say, if groups of people with similar interests and outlooks got together every Sunday, listened to relaxing music and a lecture on moral or philosophical issues, would stick around afterwards to share coffee or organize charitable events, etc. I wonder if people doing that would experience the same benefits that going to church seems to provide.
Even if church attendance produces health benefits, that is not inconsistent with a secular society as a whole having better indicators of health. In the same way, rich people with high cholesterol will likely be healthier than impoverished people with normal cholesterol, but lower cholesterol can still predict better health.