To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

News Release : Sep 2, 2010  Andrew Lavin - Ben-Gurion University

"We found that there is direct evidence that religious participation has a positive causal effect on a person's happiness. Furthermore, an important part of the decline in women's happiness during the last three decades can be explained by decline in religious participation."

(Beer-Sheva, Israel)—A new study conducted by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher, together with a researcher from De-Paul University, reveals that women in the United States generally derive more happiness from religious participation than from shopping on Sundays.

Additionally, the repeal of "blue laws," which allow stores to open on Sundays, has a negative effect on the level of religious participation of white women and therefore has a negative impact on their happiness. Interestingly, the authors did not observe any significant decline in reported happiness of other groups whose religious participation was not significantly affected by repeal.

The research also reveals that when Sunday blue laws are repealed, women who choose secular activities, such as shopping, are not happier. The repeal of blue laws decreases the relative probability of being at least "pretty happy" relative to "not happy" by about 17 percent. (Photo by: Martin Boulanger)

According to Dr. Danny Cohen-Zada of BGU's Department of Economics, "We found that there is direct evidence that religious participation has a positive causal effect on a person's happiness. Furthermore, an important part of the decline in women's happiness during the last three decades can be explained by decline in religious participation."

The authors speculate that respondents did not return to attending church as much even after they noticed that they were happier before the repeal because of a problem of self-control or the need for immediate satisfaction.
"People choose shopping, like watching TV, because it provides immediate satisfaction," Dr. Cohen-Zada explains. "That satisfaction lasts for the moment it's being consumed and not much longer than that. Religious participation, on the other hand, is not immediate. Instead, it requires persistence over a period of time."

The researchers analyzed data from the General Social Survey (GSS). They selected respondents who either live in states where there was a distinct, clear and significant change (repeal) in the prohibition of retail activity on Sundays (10 states) or where there was no change at all (six states).

Within the states, they used data for Catholics and Protestants because they were the most likely to attend church on Sundays. Non-Christian religions and respondents with no religion were excluded.

The measure of religious participation is based upon a question in the GSS on church attendance. Respondents were given nine possible responses to a question on their frequency of attending religious services, ranging from never to several times a week.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'The Chosen' Finds a New Home on Streaming Platform: 'A Tremendous Win for Disney's Image'

The Homeschooling Miracle in the Pacific Northwest: 'Nothing Is Impossible for God'

Arizona Republican Party Declares Covid-19 Injections Biological and Technological Weapons, Passes 'Ban the Jab' Resolution!

Biden Swamped by Lawsuits Minutes after Upending Title IX

Judge Relents, Rules Trump Can Attend Son Barron's Graduation

'Utter Chaos' at UCLA as Pro-Israel Vigilantes Storm Palestine 'Encampment' Overnight [Videos]

'Hamas and Supporters Are Not Welcome on Native Land!'; Native Americans Come Out in Force, Confront Anti-Israel Mob at UCLA

'Outside Agitators': NYPD Releases Video Showing Professional 'Protest Consultant' at Columbia University

Australia Calls For 3 Days Prayer & Fasting for America, April 30 - May 2nd

Arabella Network's Leftist 'Dark Money' Influence Expanding, Author Reveals

CA Bill to Inform Teens About Pregnancy Care Centers Voted Down by Legislators

Unbelievable: Jailed Pro-Lifer Says She Was Kept in Solitary Confinement for 22 Days With Lights on 24/7

The Rise of Islamism in America; How We Can Be Praying

Israel at Crossroads Between Rafah Incursion, Hostage Deal as Blinken Visits

Antisemites Barricade Themselves in Columbia's Hamilton Hall Overnight as Tensions Skyrocket

Judge Merchan Holds Donald Trump in Criminal Contempt for Gag Order Violations, Threatens Jail Time

Prayer & Action Alert: 5 Dead after 130 Tornadoes Rip through America's Heartland; Ministries Helping to Rebuild

Tennessee Passes 'Baby Olivia Act' Requiring Public Schools Show Development of Unborn Babies

Soros-Backed LA DA George Gascon's Top Adviser Charged With 11 Felonies: Report

TX Rep. Chip Roy Raises Alarm About George Soros' Purchase of 2nd Largest Radio Co. in the US

Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner

Aimee Herd, Editor