The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;

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- Kodanshi
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The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
OP - October 23, 2011, 09:46 PM

http://scienceblog.com/40845/study-reveals-secret-ingredient-in-religion-that-makes-people-happier/

Quote
the evidence substantiates that it is not really going to church and listening to sermons or praying that makes people happier, but making church-based friends and building intimate social networks there

Quote
Our study offers compelling evidence that it is the social aspects of religion rather than theology or spirituality that leads to life satisfaction
- allat
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #1 - October 23, 2011, 09:50 PM

Yep. It's the rewards of having a community that keeps most people in the religions they are used to. And it's the risks of losing that community, either as an outcast or by being threatened by one's former community, that stops people from wanting to explore/question those religions.

Ultimately, humans are herd animals.

"Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused."
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #2 - October 24, 2011, 11:07 AM

Another study I once saw showed that people are less stressed when they conform to a group. So going somewhere where you all agree on something is good for your stress. Also all of the rituals such as washing X,Y,Z then bowing X number of times etc makes you less stressed because you are in a comfort zone; you know what is expected of you and you do it, you cannot have a finger pointed at you by your peers for doing what is expected of you.

I don't come here any more due to unfair moderation.
http://www.councilofexmuslims.com/index.php?topic=30785
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #3 - October 24, 2011, 11:48 AM

Quote from: Kodanshi on October 23, 2011, 09:46 PM
http://scienceblog.com/40845/study-reveals-secret-ingredient-in-religion-that-makes-people-happier/

I agree 100%. It's the social aspect of religion that makes people happier. People who make you feel special, loved, safe, secure and give your life meaning and something to do with it.

I think this is the problem we face.

Knowing Islam is not true, doesn't make you happier in many cases (certainly not in mine).
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #4 - October 24, 2011, 01:19 PM

i had a really crappy tribalistic masjid. Is that why I left?

Actually it wasnt. I was too desperate to make a last ditch
effort to appease god from unknown sins I had committed in
my early 20s D:

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #5 - October 24, 2011, 01:37 PM

Could be that religious people have a very stable mood, atleast that's what I have.

There's a constant feeling of someone being present, especially when I'm alone.
And this feeling increases during prayer.
Everything that happens, I just take it with a grain of salt, believing that ultimately it's a
play of shadows and by passing of time, everything will end.

Let's say that I don't worry much.

The Noble Qur'an - Verily God does not change a people's condition unless they change their inner selves.
- nesrin
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #6 - October 24, 2011, 01:42 PM

^^ i can understand that.. but i think it's a feeling of false security, much needed false security..
it gave me some kind of relief to think in the end, everyone will "get what they deserve", combined with the feeling of belonging, united with millions of "bros and sisters"..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV9vdUjuWxc
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #7 - October 24, 2011, 01:43 PM

The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier...

... is Soylent Green.
- cosmicdancer
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #8 - October 24, 2011, 02:52 PM

Quote from: iSoK on October 24, 2011, 01:37 PM
Could be that religious people have a very stable mood, atleast that's what I have.

There's a constant feeling of someone being present, especially when I'm alone.
And this feeling increases during prayer.
Everything that happens, I just take it with a grain of salt, believing that ultimately it's a
play of shadows and by passing of time, everything will end.

Let's say that I don't worry much.

I can understand that too - and I can see why a lot of people are willing to ignore the things that just don't add up for the sake of that stable anchor, feeling of being 'watched-over' and of well-being.

The problem is once you've looked into Pandora's Box and let faith escape - the magic no longer works.

I may be no happier now - but I'd far rather painful truth to blissful ignorance - even if I had the choice - which of course I do not.

btw I forgot iSoK - are you Muslim?
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #9 - October 24, 2011, 03:32 PM

Agree with iSOK, when I believed, I was so contents and didn’t worry too much, I believed in destiny/what is written will happen/Karma etc there was no need for me to fret, because whatever Allah willed, it shall be, and whatever Allah willed, is the best for me, so who am I to question his will?

Also when I started realising I no longer believed, I really did worry about losing the warmth of the community, I sort of withdrew away from some of them, but a small group hasn’t given up on me and constantly insist on me joining them lol

Teach us to care and not to care / Teach us to sit still.
What do we live for; if it is not to make life less difficult to each other
You are the music while the music lasts.
T.S.Eliot
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #10 - October 24, 2011, 03:37 PM

(For some particular reason the quote button doesn't work for the last post here)

Hassan,

It's not a feeling of being watched over or in the sense of being an important entity.
You could say that it's more of giving up the desire for existence and non-existence.
Just being at peace with the nature of things, no matter how reality works out for you, being grateful with
existence but not regarding it as something crucial.

As for your question: Yes I am.

The Noble Qur'an - Verily God does not change a people's condition unless they change their inner selves.
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #11 - October 24, 2011, 03:40 PM

Cool, thanks.
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #12 - October 24, 2011, 03:43 PM

yet another case of scientists stating the obvious.
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Re: The Secret Ingredient in Religion that makes People Happier;
Reply #13 - October 24, 2011, 03:47 PM

Quote from: iSoK on October 24, 2011, 03:37 PM
(For some particular reason the quote button doesn't work for the last post here)

Hassan,

It's not a feeling of being watched over or in the sense of being an important entity.
You could say that it's more of giving up the desire for existence and non-existence.
Just being at peace with the nature of things, no matter how reality works out for you, being grateful with
existence but not regarding it as something crucial.

As for your question: Yes I am.

Yes but many other philosophies (not exactly religions) also provide us help with being at peace with the nature of things, even yoga does that.

Teach us to care and not to care / Teach us to sit still.
What do we live for; if it is not to make life less difficult to each other
You are the music while the music lasts.
T.S.Eliot
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