What do you think of the work of Dr David B. Larson who pretends that life expectancy is much greater for believers?

"Mortality research is finding that religious/spiritual commitment is a strong predictor of who lives longer, thus demonstrating a high relevance for addressing religious/spiritual commitment in clinical care. "

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p000832.html

In the french magazine "Science & Vie" (August 2005, p.54) it is said that, following the researches of Dr Larson, it has been found that believers live, in average, 29% longer than non-believers!

The only explanation I can give is the socio-economic differences and perhaps that they percieve themselves to be more at ease with life in general.

However, if I am wrong, I'm off to church on Sunday, just got to find out first where it is?

Perhaps because as Christians you are less likely to go out at night ( 1;00 -2:00 ) where all the people are leaving the bar are driving reckless.

Or because you are less likely to engage in dangerous behavior.

But not all Christians do these things.

I know that it is just as likely that a Christian who has heart diesease and a nb who has it will probably die at the same time if they both are doing the same things.

101-did you read the website? no religious preference is recommended.

I was just stating as a Christian that from a christian point of view that may be the reasons. But aren't all religions pretty much the same - they value there body etc. So it doesn't really matter.

This study is about the effects on the attendance of religious services. It doesn't compare believers to nonbelievers. So it is actually comparing apples to apples.

I would disagree with that because Guilt is a silent killer and worry, and fear NB's not all but some don't partake of those emotions because they aren't good for your health, also health is more than your spiritual beleifs its also your eating habits your excerise commitment, its interesting but I wouldn't put alot into it, Probably more than any of that its what you actually beleif about your health, i also thnk health is a state of mind So think health. namaste Sheril

If the article is correct (and more studies should be required, since this is a big claim), then the religious folk who regularly attend church probably live longer because they are more involved within a strong social support network, on average, than the non-religious folk. Note, I said on average.

Bull... My grandfather had strong christian faith and died at 60... my other grandfather was the same and cancer took him a couple of months after the first one went.. and he too was in his 60's. My father has had strong faith... and since I was 12 he's had strokes apon strokes... and is now in the hospital after having heart failure. He's 58... and on his last leg.

My grandmother.. has no real faith.. 89 and still kicking like a mule (senile as hell.. but still alive) My other grandmother.. may be christian.. but she isn't that religious... she smokes and been through angioplasties and such... and is still plugging along in her 70's.

So no.. I don't believe this study is accurate.

Yeah, I don't beleive this. >.>


Although my great grandpa beleived in God, he never really went to church much I don't think. And he was an alchoholic, lived to be about 90 years old and was an alchoholic since he was young.

Sherri, what makes you think all Christians are full of guilt?

Ironic, I don't believe in God, so because I don't believe, I'll die sooner...

Shouldn't Christians want to die sooner since heaven, God, and Jesus are "all that?"

I mean, for a bunch of people obsessed with the afterlife, you would think they'de be in a hurry to get there.

Zero, i didn't say all christians were full of guilt, i didn't refer to christians at all, but since you asked i know for a fact Catholics are big on guilt and i often have conversations with my mother on how that isn't good for her health, I was sort of thinking out loud, Catholics are big on the guilt, its even joked about by some Catholics, I don't know about christians.Are they full of guilt Zero??? Namaste Sheri

i've noticed, being a Christian and all, that not all who attend Church are religious. Not all who claim God even obey him. I think life and death depend on God. I can eat well, go to doctor check ups, work out everyday and still get struck by lightning or get in a car accident. I really don't think this is a matter worth worrying about. it may be helpfull to consider how well you live instead of how long you live.

God Bless

p.s. i will put in my spiritual input because regardless of preferrence, this is a spirituality vs. skeptisism thread. have a nice one.

If the study is about people who go to a service once a week vs. those who do not, I would just put it down to either extra sleep for those who go -- or a meditative relaxation.

Could there be something with stress levels perhaps? I know if I go into a meeting in an office block, I'll see high powered exec's, worrying about their jobs, their performances, their stocks, their companies, and more.

Now, I'm not saying that Christians don't go through the same, but on the whole, you'll probably find those who have an active Faith in something greater may take more in their stride and let the pressures of life slide over them, rather than consume them.

Just a thought.

Regards, PA

Inner peace is a great stress reducer and many people find that through religion. It's a great way to find release. But it should probably be noted that people who practice yoga regularly (not as a religion) have the same longer life expectancy.

Another research concludes that church attendance increases life expectancy.

Weekly attendance at religious services accounts for an additional 2 to 3 life-years compared with 3 to 5 life-years for physical exercise and 2.5 to 3.5 life-years for statin-type agents (reducing cholesterol).

http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/19/2/103



Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, March-April 2006

There are too many variables in the study to come to a firm conclusion about life expectancy and religious practise. Maybe we should look at other religious countries like Iran or Indonesia where worshipful attendance is compulsory, as it was when i was a boy! There we find longevity is much lower than Western countries.

Me granny never went to church in her life and she died aged 91 after a fall at home.

Oh, and did Methuselah go to church?

A priest once told me why a certain painting had a small hole in it. In the first world war a german soldier went into a church somewhere in Europe and cried out,"Where is this god of yours?". When someone pointed to the tabernacle, the soldier shot at it, missed, and shot the painting instead, he was immediately struck dead. Church attentance and longevity hmmm.

I think this is a good bet also.

hehe, I remember this thread. There are probably many reasons why the life expectancy is higher, but just an added thought for the discussion - people with an active Faith ar less likely to involved themselves with harmful substances such as alcohol or tobacco. Christians on the whole have never really been big on these, and indeed many stay away from it altogether. It's a fact that most of my friends at church do not drink (regularly at least), and even fewer smoke. My non-Christian friends however, more of them do both.

Now, I'm not saying that there aren't any CHristians who don't smoke or drink, and I'm not saying that every non-CHristian you meet is going to be a chain-smoking alcoholic. Nor am I inferring that smokers and drinkers are the majority in our society. It's a generalized observation only.

Regards, PA

excellent article. it provides all that statistics stuff that really helps in determining the significane of a study.

My doctor encourages me to do my spiritual stuff, like drumming, meditation, and worship. I guess she read that article.
Over all it appears your best bet is exercise. I live around lots of old people and those who keep active and exercise are the ones who live the longest.