In their article ‘Religious involvement and adult mortality in the United States: review and perspective’1 Hummer et al. make a point that openly religious practice provides a protection against mortality in the United States.

While there appears to be evidence that regular religious practice protects against mortality throughout subgroups of races and denominations, the biggest gains have been noted in Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists and Jewish males. They do point to some regional variations as it relates to denominational concentrations throughout the country. There is a correlation between the frequency of religious attendance and the mortality protection; the more frequent attendance, the increased advantage. There was also a stronger correlation between these two in blacks, females, and younger adults. The perceived higher effects on women can be skewed due to their higher participation in religious activities.

Most people who attend church place value on what the Bible teaches about life and godly living. So some of the proximal influences that might explain this correlation are found in the personal beliefs and adherence to God’s Word.Families and close friends have proximal influence on person’s behavior2 so surrounding one self with likeminded people will increase these health benefits. This is compounded by the larger faith community as people are supported in their struggles and celebrated in their successes.

Being part of a faith community expands ones support network. There is help for mundane activities, there is words of encouragement for low-points and there is a place to feel needed in helping others. All of these things have been linked to better mental and physical help as well as to greater well-being.3 More specifically Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists have very specific instructions for healthy living (family, service of others) and avoidance of all harmful agents (premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, smoking, excessive eating etc). The larger community therefore places distal influences in the way of cultural and societal expectations. To belong, one must adhere. An other distal influencing factor could be that people who search for God and look for support in a faith community are healthier to begin with. They are aware that there is a purpose in life beyond looking for self-centered fulfillment so they look at life from a different perspective; what might be a tragedy for one, is an opportunity for an other one.4 I found in interesting, that as ones education level increases, the benefits are less pronounced as compared to those reaped by less educated and poorer people.1 This could be either God’s grace to even the field a little bit or self reliance on the part of more educated ones (and therefore reduced awareness of God’s presence and blessings).

According to the article1 there was a marked difference in the amount of effect private religious activity affected mortality rates. Private religiosity is difficulty to quantify and qualitative. It appears that while there is some benefit, the lack of social integration between others with same belief, and the lack of support in times of trouble have a large effect on how much private religiosity protects mortality. We as humans are created to be in social interaction with others and with God. Lack of either will have a negative effect on our health.

‘My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you’.5

I don’t think it’s any surprise that people with Biblical outlook have better health than those with not. If we believe God created us it would only make sense that He knows what is best for us. So following His commands will bring healing of both body and mind. Nowhere in the Bible does God promise that our days are without trouble just because we believe in Him, but he does promise that no matter the circumstances, He ‘will not leave you or forsake you’6 and that His peace ‘which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’7. Both of these promises bring about blessed reassurance that certainly would have an effect on reducing one’s stress levels and therefore prohibiting many ailments from taking hold.8

References:

1. Hummer RA, Ellison CG, Rogers RG, Moulton BE, Romero RR. Religious involvement and adult mortality in the United States: review and perspective. South med J. 2004; 97:12. https://go-gale-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_liberty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA127069493&it=r&asid=500caaab1a2a70a0fb4c678ac61b3c39. Accessed September 8, 2019.

2.DiClemente RJ, Salazar LF, Crosby RA. Health behavior theory for public health. 2nd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2019.

3. Hether HJ, Murphy ST, Valente TW. It’s better to given than to receive: the role of social support, priest, and participations on health-related social networking sites. J Health Comm. 2014; 19(12): 1424-1439. Doi: 10.1080/10810730.2014.894596

4. Entwistle DN, Moroney SK, Aten J. Integrative reflections on disasters, suffering, and the practice of spiritual and emotional care. J Psychol Theol. 2018; 46(1): 67-81. Doi: 10.1177/0091647117750658

5. Proverbs 3:1-2. The Holy Bible. English Standard Version.

6. Deuteronomy 31:6. The Holy Bible. ESV.

7. Philippians 4:7. The Holy Bible. EVS.