Commentary; Posted: 7/5/06
The way to a longer life
Rev. John C. Blackford,
Religion Columnist
There are many suggestions as to how to live a longer life.
Recent studies reported in the Wall Street Journal and given in the Minneapolis Star Tribune May 10, 2005, claim that Americans who attend religious services at least weekly, enjoy better-than-average health and lower rates of illness, including depression.
Perhaps most important, these studies show that weekly attendance brings a significant reduction in mortality risk.
This means a longer life.
The article said, ìThe percentage of Americans who attend religious services at least once a week jumped nearly three points to 27.5 percent during the two years ending in 2004, according to the University of Chicagoís National Opinion Research Center. This leap could be good news for the nationís health.î
These studies have been greeted with skepticism by many medical scientists, and thus have received little attention. One of them, Dr. Lynda Powell, a professor of preventive medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and not a churchgoer, was suspicious of these studies.
Then in 2001 the National Institutes of Health asked her to lead a three-scientist panel that would review the growing items of medical literature linking religion to health.
The panel reported that the studies showed a 25 percent lower mortality rate for those who attend religious services at least once weekly.
The research showed that during any period in which there were 100 deaths among those not attending weekly, only 75 weekly attendees would die, even though both groups on paper seemed equal risks for death. Dr. Powell, who is continuing to research this issue, said, ìAfter seeing the data, I think I should go to church.î
Many of these studies have found that the health benefits of weekly attendance will be experienced by women because they make greater use of religious networks.
Of course those able to get out of the house regularly may enjoy a health advantage, making it possible to attend services.
It is interesting how studies show no health advantage for those who watch religious services on television.
But it is not simply that people showing up for church are healthiest; they are more likely to improve their health habits.
An article in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine published in 2001 stated that ìweekly attendance was associated with a statistically significant improvement in quitting smoking, becoming often physically active, becoming not depressed, increasing the number of personal relationships and getting married.î
It is good to remember that length is not the only dimension of our mortal lives.
Quality of life is more important that quantity of days.
Depth, not length, is more significant in what we do to make our world a better place, and is a greater determinant of our eternal destiny.
But, since we believe our mortal lives are a gift from God, we are wise to live as long as we are able, with both earthly and eternal values in view.
If we regularly attend worship, even if at times it does not do for us all we would like, we are, in all probability, doing ourselves a favor in making our lives longer and more meaningful.
If we are not in the habit of attending worship services regularly, it might be well for us to remember Dr. Powellís conclusion, ìAfter seeing the data, I think I should go to church.î
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