The comparison of religion and atheism from a medical standpoint

[Ancient Aliens]

Are their health advantages/disadvantages to being religious or atheistic? For example:

In many ways, the placebo effect is dependent upon a person’s faith in medical professionals and the treatments they prescribe. This got me thinking, do religious people (who are generally more inclined to be faith based than atheists) gain more from the placebo effect than atheists? Are they more likely to put their faith in a medical professional/divine will, and if so, would they be more prone to benefit from the placebo effect? How does the supposed health benefits of prayer (what psychologists would call collective positive reinforcement) factor in?

The stress of holidays is another major factor. The preparation involved in the gathering of friends and family, the purchasing of gifts and decorations, and the preparing of meals that comes with the holidays have been proven to induce stress and depression, particularly with middle aged individuals and people in lower economic brackets. Are atheists less prone to receive holiday related stresses, and if so, would this correlate with a general increase in health?

This may sound like a silly topic, but I am genuinely curious to see what everyone thinks.

[panzer 4]

The stress of holidays is another major factor. The gathering of friends and family, the purchasing of gifts and decorations, and the preparing of meals that comes with the holidays have been proven to induce stress and depression, particularly with middle aged individuals and people in lower economic brackets. Are atheists less prone to receive holiday related stresses, and if so, would this correlate with a general increase in health?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB-wRxSNU7o

[(s)AINT]

I'd say that the atheist is at an advantage compared to the Christian who is constantly praying, going to church, making leaping confessions of faith in order to get a hand out, and for fear of getting tortured eternally. It is not healthy mentally and physically.






and atheists are better in bed.

[panzer 4]

and atheists are better in bed.

proof???

[(s)AINT]

no proof. You notice i put that at the very bottom of my post, as an attempt at humor.




btw atheists live longer

[panzer 4]

=.=

[Dominicvs]

Good question, but theists have something to look forward to after death if they lived correctly. And going to church, trying to be good really helps the mind, its quite relaxing in my case, makes you feel good. Atheism knows there is no meaning to the universe and nothing post-life, but it depends on the personality, do atheists get anything out of being good?

[Veliky Kaiser Theos]

Do atheists get anything out of being good?

That warm fuzzy feeling inside.

[saglam2000]

I dunno, a very religious person would probably lead a less healthier lifestyle than an atheist because the atheist thinks this is his only shot so he has to make it good...

Plus he wont be fooled with prayers for healing and seek medical attention right off the bat..

[mw2xboxplayer]

In many ways, the placebo effect is dependent upon a person’s faith in medical professionals and the treatments they prescribe. This got me thinking, do religious people (who are generally more inclined to be faith based than atheists) gain more from the placebo effect than atheists? Are they more likely to put their faith in a medical professional/divine will, and if so, would they be more prone to benefit from the placebo effect?

You associate the belief in a divine presence with a credulous view of medical professionals. Such an association is an entirely absurd, generalized notion. Being a theist does not make one any more fleeceable than another.

The stress of holidays is another major factor. The preparation involved in the gathering of friends and family, the purchasing of gifts and decorations, and the preparing of meals that comes with the holidays have been proven to induce stress and depression, particularly with middle aged individuals and people in lower economic brackets. Are atheists less prone to receive holiday related stresses, and if so, would this correlate with a general increase in health?

While the preparation and celebration of a 'theistic' holiday can be stressful, any social occurrence or interaction could be considered stressful if viewed in the manner of your proposed perspective. Do not atheists interact with friends and family on social events/occasions? In your perspective of social stress, the only way one could avoid such stress would be to exist in total isolation from society. Additionally, not all theists celebrate such holidays in large social gatherings; thus eliminating your assumed social stress associated with all theistic holidays.

The notion in which theists endure more social stress solely due to their belief in a religion is an extremely generalized assumption, one that is invalid in its entirety.

[Ancient Aliens]

Such an association is an entirely absurd, generalized notion.

The notion in which theists endure more social stress solely due to their belief in a religion is an extremely generalized assumption, one that is invalid in its entirety.

That being said, there is a difference in the life expectancy of both atheists and theists. I am trying to deduce the underlying cause of this discrepancy, and in doing so, I decided to create this topic (as stupid as it may sound).

Here is the article I read that led to this topic (I probably should have posted this in the OP. ):

http://longevity.about.com/od/longev...igion_life.htm

The most logical conclusion (to me) is that increased social interactions results in longevity.

[mw2xboxplayer]

http://longevity.about.com/od/longev...igion_life.htm

The most logical conclusion (to me) is that increased social interactions results in longevity.

In agreement to both your conclusion and the article's; the most likely assumption as to why theists may have increased longevity can be derived from the following points (As described in the article):

• the benefits may have more to do with social contact than religion itself
• certain religions may encourage behaviors that are healthy

Any other assumption, such as relating spiritual/religious beliefs as being the cause of their increased longevity, would be improbable.

[Ancient Aliens]

Any other assumption, such as relating spiritual/religious beliefs as being the cause of their increased longevity, would be improbable.

Obviously so, I am not attempting to attribute mystical properties to the discrepancy in life expectancy between theists and atheists.

[Helm]

It isn't a placebo effect its the real spirit of God that infuses you with life giving health power.

[Vanoi]

It isn't a placebo effect its the real spirit of God that infuses you with life giving health power.

I know this is on the first page and all but i just have to say this: God doesn't exist

Personally, I don't really celebrate any holidays save New Years, but obviously I can't speak for everyone. I wonder how many atheists out there celebrate holidays and if so, which holidays?

I still celebrate Christmas and Easter considering i am the only atheist on my family. Though my family doesn't really include any religion in the holidays at all.

[mw2xboxplayer]

I know this is on the first page and all but i just have to say this: God doesn't exist

You're going to open up a can of worms with that remark. I wouldn't suddenly dismiss the possibility of a deity existing, but such improvable notions such 'divine infusion of spiritual power' should not be taken into account regarding official medical studies.

I still celebrate Christmas and Easter considering i am the only atheist on my family. Though my family doesn't really include any religion in the holidays at all.

Holidays have become more materialistic/secular in the modern era, with the religious influence dwindling and having less prominence in comparison to previous generations. However, there is still a great number of people who celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, etc. in a predominantly religious fashion.

[Vanoi]

You're going to open up a can of worms with that remark. I wouldn't suddenly dismiss the possibility of a deity existing, but such improvable notions such 'divine infusion of spiritual power' should not be taken into account regarding official medical studies.

Maybe i am trying to provoke a response

Holidays have become more materialistic/secular in the modern era, with the religious aspects having less prominence. However, there is still a great number of people who celebrate holidays such as Christmas in a religious fashion.

Easter? I never get anything on Easter. I celebrate because its a time when my family comes together. Though every Easter i do end up buying choclate bunnies for my nieces. Christmas? I like the gifts but the main reason i celebrate it is because just liek Easter it is one of the few times my family comes together. Never get to see my whole family considering the live hundreds of miles away from each other.

How do you know that?

Yep because its totally possibly for some being to somehow exist out of the relam of time and space and be able to magically manipulate our world. A better question is how do you know God does exist?

[Helm]

Yep because its totally possibly for some being to somehow exist out of the relam of time and space and be able to magically manipulate our world.

That's not really how it goes.

A better question is who do you know God does exist?

I'm not too sure, I'm guessing it has something to do with my crown chakra being energised.

[mw2xboxplayer]

Maybe i am trying to provoke a response

Helm seems to have taken you up on that challenge.

Easter? I never get anything on Easter. I celebrate because its a time when my family comes together. Though every Easter i do end up buying choclate bunnies for my nieces. Christmas? I like the gifts but the main reason i celebrate it is because just liek Easter it is one of the few times my family comes together. Never get to see my whole family considering the live hundreds of miles away from each other.

Again, the reason you celebrate holidays such as Christmas/Easter is to socialize with family and relatives. There is no true religious purpose for which you are celebrating the event, with your reason being to spend time with your family. Thus the holiday is no longer religious in your perspective, but materialistic/secular. It can be assumed that much of the populace celebrates holidays such as these for the same, secular reasons mentioned above. As religion's influence in overall society has dwindled, so has its meaning and purpose in social events/holidays.

[Helm]

I know this is on the first page and all but i just have to say this: God doesn't exist

How do you know that?