• Non-religius people are happier

    From Ross Sauer@1:123/789 to Ed Hulett on Sun Dec 6 19:40:16 2009
    "Ed Hulett -> Ross Sauer" <1:123/789.0> wrote in
    news:10600$HOLYSMOKE@JamNNTPd:

    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible imaginary
    beings are RS> happier.


    A new study (pdf) into the correlation between religious belief
    and RS> contentment and security shows that the less religious a
    society is the RS> happier and more secure it becomes.

    The study, by Gregory Paul, published in Evolutionary Psychology
    Journal RS> puts paid to the widely touted notion that without
    religion society would RS> collapse. According to Mr Paul, the
    reverse is true. Religion flourishes RS> where a society is
    dysfunctional and poor. When affluence is present and RS> people
    feel secure through the provision of health care and social RS>
    services, religion quickly loses its hold. In other words, those
    societies RS> that have moved furthest away from religion have
    higher levels of RS> contentment, stability and affluence.

    Unlike many others in his field, Paul does not think that
    humanity is RS> hardwired for religion, nor that belief in a higher
    being is necessary for RS> a society to achieve a high level of
    functionality.

    "Popular religion," Paul says, "is a coping mechanism for the
    anxieties of RS> a dysfunctional social and economic environment."
    Simply put, it
    means that
    without safety nets such as universal healthcare (which more
    prosperous RS> democracies have), people depend on the "supernatural
    entities that could RS> be petitioned for aid and protection."

    http://www.secularism.org.uk/116203.html

    That is pure, unadulterated, psychobabble and has no connection to reality.

    And just how do you know this?
    Your church inform you of it, the same way Scientology teaches that
    psychiatry is false?

    The fact is, this study is goring your particular sacred cow, Ed, namely
    your own belief that those without religion are unhappy.

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  • From Ed Hulett@1:123/789 to Ross Sauer on Sun Dec 6 20:44:17 2009
    Ross Sauer -> Ed Hulett wrote:
    "Ed Hulett -> Ross Sauer" <1:123/789.0> wrote in news:10600$HOLYSMOKE@JamNNTPd:

    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible imaginary
    beings are RS> happier.


    A new study (pdf) into the correlation between religious belief
    and RS> contentment and security shows that the less religious a
    society is the RS> happier and more secure it becomes.

    The study, by Gregory Paul, published in Evolutionary Psychology
    Journal RS> puts paid to the widely touted notion that without
    religion society would RS> collapse. According to Mr Paul, the
    reverse is true. Religion flourishes RS> where a society is
    dysfunctional and poor. When affluence is present and RS> people
    feel secure through the provision of health care and social RS>
    services, religion quickly loses its hold. In other words, those
    societies RS> that have moved furthest away from religion have
    higher levels of RS> contentment, stability and affluence.

    Unlike many others in his field, Paul does not think that
    humanity is RS> hardwired for religion, nor that belief in a higher
    being is necessary for RS> a society to achieve a high level of
    functionality.

    "Popular religion," Paul says, "is a coping mechanism for the
    anxieties of RS> a dysfunctional social and economic environment."
    Simply put, it
    means that
    without safety nets such as universal healthcare (which more
    prosperous RS> democracies have), people depend on the "supernatural
    entities that could RS> be petitioned for aid and protection."

    http://www.secularism.org.uk/116203.html

    That is pure, unadulterated, psychobabble and has no connection to
    reality.

    And just how do you know this?

    Because it is published on a secularism website and because Mr. Paul starts with a conclusion and then uses his "study" to support it.

    It tries to make the claim that universal healthcare somehow makes religion unnecessary.

    Your church inform you of it, the same way Scientology teaches that psychiatry is false?

    No, your post was the first time I even heard of such a "study." My Church doesn't work that way. Your question makes it clear you haven't a clue.

    The fact is, this study is goring your particular sacred cow, Ed, namely your own belief that those without religion are unhappy.

    No, this "study" is just plane nonsense. There is no correlation between universal healthcare and religion. Nor does his claim that religion is prevalent in a poor, dysfunctional society make any sense.

    The US is one of the most affluent and least dysfunctional countries and the majority of society is devout about their religion. Only a small percentage of US citizens are non-religious. That leaves universal healthcare which isn't the
    sign of affluent democracy, but of socialism.

    Even the poor in the US are more affluent than most societies with universal healthcare.

    Let me know when you find a real study and not some psychobabble that begins with a conclusion and tries to support it with ridiculous "evidence."

    Ed

    --
    "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is
    to fill the world with fools." --Herbert Spencer

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  • From JOHNJWILSON@1:123/140 to ROSS SAUER on Mon Dec 7 20:37:06 2009

    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible imaginary beings are happier.

    Well now, daggummit, lookie here! Religion ain't t' make ya happy, theys supposed to set you free!


    A new study (pdf) into the correlation between religious belief and contentment and security

    That study, which began in July of 12,609 B.C., is #12,435,768, of which 12,435,767 so far have been found not to know their ass from a hole on the ground.

    "Religious belief"! A general thing sorta spread around a little thicker
    among the sufis and Jains, thinner with Christians and Hindus? They studied
    the LEVELS of religious belief?

    shows that the less religious a society is the
    happier and more secure it becomes.

    THAT is hilarious!
    That report was stolen from a term paper by Miss Susan Weeble, of the
    Joseph Fingerbergerstein Rasmughiggen Elementry School in Dismal Seepage Saskatchewan, 1974



    The study, by Gregory Paul

    Who should be whipped to death, as effrontery should be a capital crime.


    , published in Evolutionary Psychology Journal

    I'm going to look that one up...

    puts paid to the widely touted notion that without religion society
    would
    collapse.

    ...But far more importantly, if papers like his aren't published HIS income would collapse :-)

    Yeah! Who needs morels, anyway? They just keep getting in your way. and are generally not very profitable.


    According to Mr Paul

    A poem
    Ahem
    To Mr Paul for his rigour in helping to explain diversity in society and
    how you can mistake cause for effect:


    A saint
    He Aint

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  • From Bob Ackley@1:300/3 to JOHNJWILSON on Thu Dec 10 04:58:54 2009
    Replying to a message of JOHNJWILSON to ROSS SAUER:

    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible
    imaginary beings are -> happier.

    Well now, daggummit, lookie here! Religion ain't t' make ya
    happy, theys supposed to set you free!

    Organized religion has done a pretty fair job of enslaving people over
    the past five or six thousand years.

    ---
    * Origin: Bob's Boneyard, Emerson, Iowa (1:300/3)
  • From EARL CROASMUN@1:124/311 to Ross Sauer on Fri Dec 11 15:09:52 2009
    That is pure, unadulterated, psychobabble and has no connection to reality.

    And just how do you know this?

    Maybe he took a few seconds to search on "Gregory Paul" and "atheist."
    Then he took a few minutes to laugh at the fact that you posted such tripe.
    Then he hit "reply."

    You should do the same search. In fact, you should have done that before
    your initial post.


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  • From Ed Hulett@1:123/789 to EARL CROASMUN on Fri Dec 11 20:12:09 2009
    EARL CROASMUN -> Ross Sauer wrote:
    That is pure, unadulterated, psychobabble and has no connection to
    reality.

    And just how do you know this?

    Maybe he took a few seconds to search on "Gregory Paul" and "atheist." Then he took a few minutes to laugh at the fact that you posted such
    tripe.
    Then he hit "reply."

    Just reading the claims Mr. Paul made was enough to make any intelligent person
    skeptical about his veracity. The idea that universal health care somehow reduces the need for religion is laughable.

    You should do the same search. In fact, you should have done that before your initial post.

    Ar-Kay doesn't research the articles he posts. That would be too much trouble. In fact, in most cases it appears it's too much trouble for him to actually read the post before posting.

    Ed

    --
    "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is
    to fill the world with fools." --Herbert Spencer

    Blogs: http://edsramblings.wordpress.com | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ed.hulett
    http://woodcarvingnsuch.wordpress.com | Twitter: yaesu http://edsscrollsawbits.blogspot.com

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  • From JOHNJWILSON@1:123/140 to BOB ACKLEY on Fri Dec 11 20:14:04 2009


    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible
    imaginary beings are -> happier.

    Well now, daggummit, lookie here! Religion ain't t' make ya
    happy, theys supposed to set you free!

    Organized religion has done a pretty fair job of enslaving people over
    the past five or six thousand years.

    Yep. That was a mere misstep, an exploratory action. They've all outgrown
    that, which is why there is peace in the world.

    ...and I DID say "supposed" :-)

    I'm pretty much in favour of unorganized religion m'self.
    These days there a far greater knowledgeability available to a far greater percentage of humans...perhaps truth will be more sought (Which The Guy
    sez, is what SETS you free...)
    Remember the only time The Guy was pissed off was when he was in church...
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  • From Ross Sauer@1:123/789 to JOHNJWILSON on Fri Dec 11 23:24:04 2009
    "JOHNJWILSON -> BOB ACKLEY" <1:123/140> wrote in
    news:10611$HOLYSMOKE@JamNNTPd:

    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible
    imaginary beings are -> happier.

    Well now, daggummit, lookie here! Religion ain't t' make ya
    happy, theys supposed to set you free!

    Organized religion has done a pretty fair job of enslaving people
    over -> the past five or six thousand years.

    Yep. That was a mere misstep, an exploratory action. They've all
    outgrown that, which is why there is peace in the world.

    ..and I DID say "supposed" :-)

    I'm pretty much in favour of unorganized religion m'self.
    These days there a far greater knowledgeability available to a far
    greater percentage of humans...perhaps truth will be more sought
    (Which The Guy sez, is what SETS you free...)
    Remember the only time The Guy was pissed off was when he was in
    church...

    I think the main point here, is being missed by the theists.

    Universal health care does improve the standard of living for a lot of
    people, which of course will do more for a person's mood than a blind
    belief in some invisible, intangible deity.

    It's just one factor in how happy people are, especially when things
    they would be worrying about, like how they will pay for a doctor if
    they get sick, are taken care of.

    I've had many people ask me, "Are you happy?"
    I am content, sure there are luxuries I'd love to have, but for obvious
    reasons I can't.
    A car would be one of those luxuries.

    I gave up religion as a whole, since there is no evidence of any of the
    blind beliefs touted by the theists.
    Every time I ask for evidence, I get appeals to authority, "Read your
    Bible!" or vague, easily debunked claims.

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  • From Ross Sauer@1:123/789 to All on Sat Dec 5 13:05:10 2009
    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible imaginary beings are happier.


    A new study (pdf) into the correlation between religious belief and
    contentment and security shows that the less religious a society is the
    happier and more secure it becomes.

    The study, by Gregory Paul, published in Evolutionary Psychology Journal
    puts paid to the widely touted notion that without religion society would collapse. According to Mr Paul, the reverse is true. Religion flourishes
    where a society is dysfunctional and poor. When affluence is present and
    people feel secure through the provision of health care and social
    services, religion quickly loses its hold. In other words, those societies
    that have moved furthest away from religion have higher levels of
    contentment, stability and affluence.

    Unlike many others in his field, Paul does not think that humanity is
    hardwired for religion, nor that belief in a higher being is necessary for
    a society to achieve a high level of functionality.

    "Popular religion," Paul says, "is a coping mechanism for the anxieties of
    a dysfunctional social and economic environment." Simply put, it means that without safety nets such as universal healthcare (which more prosperous democracies have), people depend on the "supernatural entities that could
    be petitioned for aid and protection."

    http://www.secularism.org.uk/116203.html

    --- Xnews/5.04.25
    * Origin: Fidonet Via Newsreader - http://www.easternstar.info (1:123/789.0)
  • From Ed Hulett@1:123/789 to Ross Sauer on Sun Dec 6 00:53:33 2009
    Ross Sauer -> All wrote:
    Looks like those who don't have to rely on invisible imaginary beings are happier.


    A new study (pdf) into the correlation between religious belief and contentment and security shows that the less religious a society is the happier and more secure it becomes.

    The study, by Gregory Paul, published in Evolutionary Psychology Journal puts paid to the widely touted notion that without religion society would collapse. According to Mr Paul, the reverse is true. Religion flourishes where a society is dysfunctional and poor. When affluence is present and people feel secure through the provision of health care and social services, religion quickly loses its hold. In other words, those societies that have moved furthest away from religion have higher levels of contentment, stability and affluence.

    Unlike many others in his field, Paul does not think that humanity is hardwired for religion, nor that belief in a higher being is necessary for a society to achieve a high level of functionality.

    "Popular religion," Paul says, "is a coping mechanism for the anxieties of a dysfunctional social and economic environment." Simply put, it means
    that
    without safety nets such as universal healthcare (which more prosperous democracies have), people depend on the "supernatural entities that could be petitioned for aid and protection."

    http://www.secularism.org.uk/116203.html

    That is pure, unadulterated, psychobabble and has no connection to reality.

    Thanks for playing, though.

    Ed

    --
    "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is
    to fill the world with fools." --Herbert Spencer

    Blogs: http://edsramblings.wordpress.com | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ed.hulett
    http://woodcarvingnsuch.wordpress.com | Twitter: yaesu http://edsscrollsawbits.blogspot.com

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