Religious Services May Benefit Health

(From The Wall Street Journal -- By K. Helliker)

New studies are showing that those who attend religious services at least once a week are generally healthier and less prone to a multitude of illnesses, including depression. Additionally, regular attendance appears to lower the mortality risk of an individual over time.

These studies have found that religion helps females more than males. There are many skeptics who say that it's not religion but the social aspect of the attendance that appears to improve health. One expert suggested that attending a bingo club or socializing at the local library might confer the same advantages.

Studies have shown that watching a religious program on television doesn't improve health at all. Similarly, some professionals say that a strong religious belief might actually work the opposite way, if someone believes that God has abandoned them in their time of need.

Nonetheless, certain aspects of religious services -- praying and/or meditation -- are an effective way of lowering negative emotion, and some doctors believe that this can only be a good thing.