Does Religion Promote Happiness?

[PureX]

Does being religious promote happiness, or cause one to be happy?

I think that for a lot of folks, it does. We tend to focos on the down side or religion, because that's where the danger is. But we also tend to forget the upside of it. And I think that for a lot of people, their religion is mostly a good thing.

 

[CAPPA]

I do not believe so. There are a great number of things that can and do make us "happy". However, religion calls for a large number of things that does not relate at all to a sense of happiness. The guidelines set forth by the bible are not meant for us to live a happy life, but more so a righteous one under the eyes of god.

Back in those days, being happy wasn't important. Piety was the main desire.


c

 

[sparkyluv]

My belief in Christ and my relationship with God makes me happy. In my times of weakness and struggle, it gives me peace.

 

[Scarlett Wampus]

When I was a Thelemite I would've told people that Thelema made me happy and was practically the most important thing in my life. In retrospect I was relatively unhappy and unfulfilled.

There's nothing for it but brain scans for us all. Which ever religion has people with the highest average happy chemicals/brainwaves wins the 'Happiest without necessarily having a causal connection to religion, religion' award.

 

[Mathematician]

We Jedi are at peace with the Force.

Happiness is calm.

 

[AllMantra]

I don't know if simply attending religious devotions and telling others about what one thinks is right would promote happiness. If, on the other hand, one strives steadfastly to make spiritual progress through Religious training then they probably could gain a lasting sense of contentment. Sometimes, however, a religious walk can be so very difficult that it seems that one is better off without it. The Gita says, "What seems at first a cup of sorrow is in the end Immortal wine", I have found that to be true for me.

 

[roli]

Does being religious promote happiness, or cause one to be happy?

Religion in itself never did do much for our world as history accounts and if anything has left many with a distaste in their mouths it is religion,now Jesus and a relationship with him is another topic,which is what truly brings happiness through my personal experience.

Being religious certainly can promote happiness and I believe it does primarily to many,but is merely another external practice that one attempts to find purpose and appease one's conscience from guilt,sin etc.
It leads to the false assumption that one may be happy,at least that was my experience,but being religious made me more unsatisfied,frustrated,bored and soon left me empty and on a continual search for somethingelse.
Religion never stimulated me like knowing Jesus Christ .