Does Religion Make You Live Longer?

A Mixed Point of View on Religion's Role in Life

Nov 8, 2009

Religion plays a large role in the lives of many people. What role does religion play when it comes to longevity?

Weddings,recreational facilities, and sessions on moral guidance are just some of the benefits that are available at religious institutions. It is a common belief that religious people live longer than those who are not. However, some of the services that religious settings offer to increase people's longevity can also be found elsewhere.

Religion In Society

According to various studies on the impact of religion, the results are mixed. Some studies indicate that religion does help people live longer, while other studies suggest that it doesn't make a difference.

Religious institutions such as churches and mosques provide services that are said to help people live longer, but the same can be said about other institutions. In other words, being religious doesn't necessarily make people live longer than individuals who are not deeply religious.

Some of the benefits that take place among those who participate in religious services have companionship among many people, as well as the opportunity to serve the community. People who make friends are more likely to live long than people who don't have friends, and people who volunteer their time to give back to the less fortunate have a greater chance of living long than those who do not volunteer their time.

Happiness Outside of Religion

However, religious institutions are not the only settings where one can seek out opportunities like volunteering and maintaining friendships. Schools offer these benefits as well, whether one is talking about universities or kindergarten through high school. There are a number of organizations at schools that give students the chance to pursue civic engagement.

Moreover, student organizations also provide the opportunity to make friends, whether it is meeting people from fraternities and sororities, business organizations, or other types of organizations. Students who pursue such opportunities can benefit from an increased likelihood of a long life expectancy.

People can also live longer by pursuing other things that make them happy, including developing talents. Religious institutions do provide chances to find talents. A person who wants to be a preacher can develop a talent as a public speaker, as he or she would have to do well in reaching out to large audiences.

The field of religion, of course, is not the only field in which people can find out what they are good at. Areas of interest such as art, technology, and fitness can allow people to explore their skills so they can develop a sense of confidence. Many believe that confidence is an additional factor that can contribute to longevity.

Health and Wellness and Longevity

Finally, health and nutrition are very important factors in helping people increase their chances of living longer. Exercise is vital for preventing or reducing the likelihood of getting disease such as cancer or heart disease – two of the biggest killers in the United States of America. Fitness classes and exercise machines are available in gyms, though people can also exercise elsewhere. Participating in sports can help people become healthier, and opportunities to participate in sports are available at schools, occasionally religious institutions, and other places.

It is also important to eat nutritious foods to live longer, and these types of foods range from fruits and vegetables to rice and beans. Sweets like candy should be taken sparingly, as these types of foods can reduce a person’s wellness level if eaten too much. Good health and nutrition can be promoted anywhere, regardless of if it is at school, a religious setting, a business, or even at a person’s own home.

Many factors contribute to how long a person lives. Relationships with family and friends, as well as exercise and food, impact life expectancy. While services that increase longevity are available at religious institutions, locations such as gyms, hospitals, and schools also offer services that help people live longer.

Sources

The copyright of the article Does Religion Make You Live Longer? in Philosophy is owned by Gaurav Bhatia. Permission to republish Does Religion Make You Live Longer? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.