Who Benefits from Religion? |
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Authors: | Daniel Mochon Michael I Norton Dan Ariely |
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Institution: | (1) Yale School of Management, PO Box 208200, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;(2) Harvard Business School, Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02163, USA;(3) Duke University, 1 Towerview Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA |
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Abstract: | Many studies have documented the benefits of religious involvement. Indeed, highly religious people tend to be healthier,
live longer, and have higher levels of subjective well-being. While religious involvement offers clear benefits to many, in
this paper we explore whether it may also be detrimental to some. Specifically, we examine in detail the relation between
religious involvement and subjective well-being. We first replicate prior findings showing a positive relation between religiosity
and subjective well-being. However, our results also suggest that this relation may be more complex than previously thought.
While fervent believers benefit from their involvement, those with weaker beliefs are actually less happy than those who do
not ascribe to any religion—atheists and agnostics. These results may help explain why—in spite of the well-documented benefits
of religion—an increasing number of people are abandoning their faith. As commitment wanes, religious involvement may become
detrimental to well-being, and individuals may be better off seeking new affiliations. |
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