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I was recently debating an angry atheist about the details of theology. One of the points I made to him was that Christians are far happier than those who deny the existence of God. I know it is not the strongest argument for God. But, it  is a truth that matters.

What is the evidence for my claim? On average, people who actively practice a faith-based faith report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction than people who are religiously inactive or unaffiliated. The important qualification is that the strongest association is with active participation, not simply saying, “I believe in God.”

A large Pew Research Center international study examined the United States and more than two dozen other countries.

In the U.S.:

  • 36% of actively faith-based adults described themselves as “very happy.”
  • 25% of religiously affiliated but inactive adults did.
  • 25% of religiously unaffiliated adults did. (Pew Research Center)

The pattern survived statistical controls for factors such as age, income, education, sex, and marital status. Across the countries studied, actively faith-based people were significantly happier than everyone else in 13 of 26 countries after those controls; in the others, generally there wasn’t a significant difference rather than faith-based people being less happy. (Pew Research Center)

Community Matters

Oddly, the research suggests that faith-based participation may matter more than faith-based identification. Pew cites research by sociologists finding that the happiness advantage was particularly strong among faith-based people who had close friendships within their congregations. (Pew Research Center)

That suggests several methods of joy:

  1. Faith = meaning and purpose. A Biblical worldview can ease our suffering, aging, relationships and losses. It even places our success in a context of God’s blessing rather than our own achievement.
  2. Faith = hope. Our beliefs provide us confidence in spite of our challenges.
  3. Congregation = relationships. Our congregational relationships provide friendships, belonging and practical support—all strongly associated with feelings of well-being.
  4. Faith = gratitude. Our humility in light of God’s graciousness should lead us to thankfulness.
  5. Faith = service. Serving other is associated with well-being. (Pew Research Center) This is a major focus at St. Paul’s. We have had a summer full of examples. We are so grateful for each person who helped at VBS, Mosaic, Salem, God’s Storehouse and many other ways.

Happiness is not the same as joy

The research is even more interesting. Psychology usually measures happiness, life satisfaction, or subjective well-being. The biblical concept of joy goes deeper.

Paul wrote this from prison:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”— Philippians 4:4

Also James says:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”— James 1:2

So Christian joy isn’t simply “faith-based people experience more pleasant emotions.” It’s closer to a settled confidence in God that can coexist with suffering.

There is strong evidence that active faith-based participation is paired with greater happiness. But Christianity makes the more radical claim that joy doesn’t ultimately depend upon good circumstances.

John 15:11 — “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! How does your faith cause you happiness and joy? Email me your responses to dnkaiser@stpmaumee.com