Religion is not a popular topic these days unless you are trying to remove some religious label or icon from a public place. So it’s encouraging to discover that many studies have taken place lately that have revealed that being religious, i.e. attending church at least once a week will extend your life. Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University revealed researchers discovered the religious have a 20 per cent reduced risk of death. Another study at the University of California at Berkeley of 5,000 people aged 21 to 65 in a 28 year study revealed that those same once a week attendees of religious services had a 23% lower risk of dying. According to the Population Research Center at the University of Texas, Austin the extended length of life between regular church goers and those who never attend is more than seven years.
Not only does being religious extend your life but it also eases the fear at end of life. A friend of mine is a hospice nurse and a Christian. She once told me that although she is not to discuss religion unless the patient initiates the conversation, the non-religious are much more fearful and agitated during the last days of their lives than the religious who are more peaceful and calm during their last moments. A belief of knowing there is something even better waiting for them after death and that they will be reunited with loved ones is a great comfort in a person in their last moments as well as a comfort to their loved ones surrounding them.
The theory that results from this extended life data is that regular church goers, people who attend church at least once a week, have a better support group of friends and family. Especially when it comes to a crisis in their lives. They make better lifestyle choices such as reduced smoking and little or no alcohol. They are less likely to return to smoking or alcohol as well. Due to these traits the incidence of depression would be lower as would stress. These aspects alone, better lifestyle and lower stress due to better support system could be significant factors to a longer life.
Then again, no one can rule out a little help from above to those who are faithful.
