Faith And Happiness
This document was uploaded by user and they confirmed that they have the permission to share it. If you are author or own the copyright of this book, please report to us by using this DMCA report form. Report DMCA
Overview
Download & View Faith And Happiness as PDF for free.
More details
- Words: 1,416
- Pages: 8
Page Header Running head: APA TYPING TEMPLATE
Faith and Happiness in Psychology Jennifer Felsberg Grand Canyon University Psychology 333 August, 2009
1
Page Header
2
Abstract Faith and optimism is not the same thing. Optimism believes something can be done and faith is actually doing it. It is not outside circumstances but our personal values that make us happy. Abraham Lincoln once said that we are as happy as we make up our minds to be. I believe this is true but those with religious faith seem to have an edge, a little more going for them. Religious people are happier or more content. Religious people have more optimism. There is a connection between faith and optimism and happiness.
Page Header
3
Are religious people happier or more optimistic that non religious people? This is a hot topic for psychologists. If you ask most spiritual leaders the answer is a resounding yes, religious people are happier and more optimistic than non religious people. However, in the psychology community there are doubts. I will share supporting evidence and viewpoints to confirm that faith and optimism and happiness go together. The first thing that needs to be done is to set some parameters. Happiness and optimism need to be defined. Dictionary.com defines happiness as: good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy. A synonym for optimism is cheerfulness. What about religious: what makes a person religious? Social Scientist Dr. Author C. Brooks defines religious as a person who attends a house of worship at least 3 times a month consistently. This paper will consist of Western religions and deal mostly with the United States. Can happiness be measured? Scientist have primarily thought that happiness is subjective not objective. But Dr. Arthur C. Brooks says yes, happiness can be measured. When a person is asked are you happy, if the person answers yes they will use certain skeletal facial muscles when they smile if they are being truthful. Likewise, using the same question the parts of the brain stimulated are the same parts of the brain that are associated with happiness.
Why would religious people be happier or more optimistic than non religious people? First of all, “Having goals and living a life that’s in tune with your values and core spiritual beliefs is one important aspect of happiness.”1 If a person lives a life that is consistent with their spiritual beliefs and sets goals consistent with these beliefs they will be happier. There is no guilt of going against their values. Moral freedom makes people less happy. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstgein believes there are two factors that are significant in the correlation between optimism and being religious: community and control. A person who is active in their religious community has
Page Header
4
others to celebrate and mourn with, a friend to laugh or cry with, a group who shares a common lifestyle and values. This is community and it provides a sense of belonging. “The sense of community that religions tend to provide is a critical factor in the link between faith on the one hand, and optimism and well-being, on the other.”2 Control is the other factor. “Many social psychologists maintain that the people who feel a sense of control over their lives also have a great sense of optimism and psychological well-being.”3 But religion teaches the opposite. The core of religious faith is surrender-surrendering to a higher being or power. Mark Batterson in his book Wild Goose Chase says that “One of the greatest acts of worship is keeping a good attitude in a bad situation. And doing a good job at a bad job honors God.”4 He uses Nehemiah as an example of this. Batterson feels that Nehemiah must have been upbeat with a great attitude because one day the king noticed a change in Nehemiah’s demeanor. The Bible states in Nehemiah 2:1-2 “…I was serving the king his wine. I had never appeared sad in his presence before this time. So the king asked me, “Why are you so sad? You aren’t sick, are you? You look like a man with deep troubles.”” 5 Nehemiah must have had an ordinary job being a servant but he did the best he could with a cheerful spirit. Nehemiah was a strong believer in God and God did help him to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem in Judah with the king’s permission. Religious people have higher levels of satisfaction. They are able to deal with divorce or loss of a job better. A lot of the reason why is due to the meaning, purpose and value which believing in God gives you, whereas not believing in God can leave you without those things. Some people may find comfort in the scriptures they read. In April of 2007 the University of Chicago posted reports on levels of job satisfaction. Clergy were found to be the happiest and most satisfied of American workers. “The most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching, and protecting others and creative pursuits,” said Tom W.
Page Header
5
Smith, Director of the General Social Survey (GSS) at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.6 The top three profession where people are the happiest are clergy, fire fighter, and physical therapist. People who are in positions of serving are happier and this is consistent with scripture. Specific verses and be found in scripture: Psalm 119:2 says “Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.” Verse 35 reads “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” Finally, verse 56 reads “This is my happy way of life: obeying your commandments.” Religious people are two times as likely to say they are happier than non religious people. There are many values that are associated with happiness. Some of them are marriage, economic and political freedom and success. But nothing can make people as happy as religion does. The level of happiness in the United States hasn’t changed since 1972. Happiness remains constant as long a people have personal values. It is not outside circumstances that make people happy. Happiness comes from within. There is an exception. When religious people see God as harsh and controlling they are not happier. Elderly religious people fear death the least. But it is not just about the afterlife. 92% of religious people believe in the afterlife. But so do 70 % of secular people and 60 % of agnostic/atheists. The people who fear death the most are the ones who have a religion but don’t practice it.
In conclusion, happier people make better citizens. They are less likely to commit crimes. They make better neighbors. They are less likely to get divorced. They raise happier and healthier children. They are more likely to serve in their communities. Therefore they make us live in a better country. They are more likely to give to charities. Not just money but give time, give directions, give blood, give their seat on a bus, and give change back when given too much.
Page Header
6
Page Header References American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2004). Title of article. Title of Periodical, vol(issue), pages. Author, A. A. (2005). Title of work. Location: Publisher. 1.Remaining True To Your Goals, Values and Spirituality Goals, Values and Spirituality Can Impact Happiness and Stress Level By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Created: October 09, 2006 About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/qt/values.htm Retrieved 8/2/09 2,3 Eckstein, Yehiel (2000). The Science of Optimism & Hope. Philadelphia &London: Templeton Foundation Press. 4 Batterson, Mark (2008). Wild Goose Chase. New York: WaterBrook Multnomah. 5 The Holy Bible 6 Permalink: http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/07/070417.jobs.shtml Last modified at 11:09 AM CST on Monday, July 23, 2007, Retrieved August 02, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7302609.stm, retrieved August 02, 2009, Last updated March 2008. happiness. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 03, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happiness optimism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 03, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/optimism Program: Acton Lecture Series Guest: Arthur C. Brooks May 22, 2008
7
Page Header Play Time: 01:12:12 Retrieved August 02, 2009, from http://www.acton.org/media/happinessand-religion-2008-05-22.php Copyright 2008 Acton Institute, Acton Institute 161 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 301 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Note: Detailed information on references can be found in the APA Manual, Chapter 4.
8
Faith and Happiness in Psychology Jennifer Felsberg Grand Canyon University Psychology 333 August, 2009
1
Page Header
2
Abstract Faith and optimism is not the same thing. Optimism believes something can be done and faith is actually doing it. It is not outside circumstances but our personal values that make us happy. Abraham Lincoln once said that we are as happy as we make up our minds to be. I believe this is true but those with religious faith seem to have an edge, a little more going for them. Religious people are happier or more content. Religious people have more optimism. There is a connection between faith and optimism and happiness.
Page Header
3
Are religious people happier or more optimistic that non religious people? This is a hot topic for psychologists. If you ask most spiritual leaders the answer is a resounding yes, religious people are happier and more optimistic than non religious people. However, in the psychology community there are doubts. I will share supporting evidence and viewpoints to confirm that faith and optimism and happiness go together. The first thing that needs to be done is to set some parameters. Happiness and optimism need to be defined. Dictionary.com defines happiness as: good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy. A synonym for optimism is cheerfulness. What about religious: what makes a person religious? Social Scientist Dr. Author C. Brooks defines religious as a person who attends a house of worship at least 3 times a month consistently. This paper will consist of Western religions and deal mostly with the United States. Can happiness be measured? Scientist have primarily thought that happiness is subjective not objective. But Dr. Arthur C. Brooks says yes, happiness can be measured. When a person is asked are you happy, if the person answers yes they will use certain skeletal facial muscles when they smile if they are being truthful. Likewise, using the same question the parts of the brain stimulated are the same parts of the brain that are associated with happiness.
Why would religious people be happier or more optimistic than non religious people? First of all, “Having goals and living a life that’s in tune with your values and core spiritual beliefs is one important aspect of happiness.”1 If a person lives a life that is consistent with their spiritual beliefs and sets goals consistent with these beliefs they will be happier. There is no guilt of going against their values. Moral freedom makes people less happy. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstgein believes there are two factors that are significant in the correlation between optimism and being religious: community and control. A person who is active in their religious community has
Page Header
4
others to celebrate and mourn with, a friend to laugh or cry with, a group who shares a common lifestyle and values. This is community and it provides a sense of belonging. “The sense of community that religions tend to provide is a critical factor in the link between faith on the one hand, and optimism and well-being, on the other.”2 Control is the other factor. “Many social psychologists maintain that the people who feel a sense of control over their lives also have a great sense of optimism and psychological well-being.”3 But religion teaches the opposite. The core of religious faith is surrender-surrendering to a higher being or power. Mark Batterson in his book Wild Goose Chase says that “One of the greatest acts of worship is keeping a good attitude in a bad situation. And doing a good job at a bad job honors God.”4 He uses Nehemiah as an example of this. Batterson feels that Nehemiah must have been upbeat with a great attitude because one day the king noticed a change in Nehemiah’s demeanor. The Bible states in Nehemiah 2:1-2 “…I was serving the king his wine. I had never appeared sad in his presence before this time. So the king asked me, “Why are you so sad? You aren’t sick, are you? You look like a man with deep troubles.”” 5 Nehemiah must have had an ordinary job being a servant but he did the best he could with a cheerful spirit. Nehemiah was a strong believer in God and God did help him to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem in Judah with the king’s permission. Religious people have higher levels of satisfaction. They are able to deal with divorce or loss of a job better. A lot of the reason why is due to the meaning, purpose and value which believing in God gives you, whereas not believing in God can leave you without those things. Some people may find comfort in the scriptures they read. In April of 2007 the University of Chicago posted reports on levels of job satisfaction. Clergy were found to be the happiest and most satisfied of American workers. “The most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching, and protecting others and creative pursuits,” said Tom W.
Page Header
5
Smith, Director of the General Social Survey (GSS) at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.6 The top three profession where people are the happiest are clergy, fire fighter, and physical therapist. People who are in positions of serving are happier and this is consistent with scripture. Specific verses and be found in scripture: Psalm 119:2 says “Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.” Verse 35 reads “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” Finally, verse 56 reads “This is my happy way of life: obeying your commandments.” Religious people are two times as likely to say they are happier than non religious people. There are many values that are associated with happiness. Some of them are marriage, economic and political freedom and success. But nothing can make people as happy as religion does. The level of happiness in the United States hasn’t changed since 1972. Happiness remains constant as long a people have personal values. It is not outside circumstances that make people happy. Happiness comes from within. There is an exception. When religious people see God as harsh and controlling they are not happier. Elderly religious people fear death the least. But it is not just about the afterlife. 92% of religious people believe in the afterlife. But so do 70 % of secular people and 60 % of agnostic/atheists. The people who fear death the most are the ones who have a religion but don’t practice it.
In conclusion, happier people make better citizens. They are less likely to commit crimes. They make better neighbors. They are less likely to get divorced. They raise happier and healthier children. They are more likely to serve in their communities. Therefore they make us live in a better country. They are more likely to give to charities. Not just money but give time, give directions, give blood, give their seat on a bus, and give change back when given too much.
Page Header
6
Page Header References American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2004). Title of article. Title of Periodical, vol(issue), pages. Author, A. A. (2005). Title of work. Location: Publisher. 1.Remaining True To Your Goals, Values and Spirituality Goals, Values and Spirituality Can Impact Happiness and Stress Level By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Created: October 09, 2006 About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/qt/values.htm Retrieved 8/2/09 2,3 Eckstein, Yehiel (2000). The Science of Optimism & Hope. Philadelphia &London: Templeton Foundation Press. 4 Batterson, Mark (2008). Wild Goose Chase. New York: WaterBrook Multnomah. 5 The Holy Bible 6 Permalink: http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/07/070417.jobs.shtml Last modified at 11:09 AM CST on Monday, July 23, 2007, Retrieved August 02, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7302609.stm, retrieved August 02, 2009, Last updated March 2008. happiness. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 03, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happiness optimism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 03, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/optimism Program: Acton Lecture Series Guest: Arthur C. Brooks May 22, 2008
7
Page Header Play Time: 01:12:12 Retrieved August 02, 2009, from http://www.acton.org/media/happinessand-religion-2008-05-22.php Copyright 2008 Acton Institute, Acton Institute 161 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 301 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Note: Detailed information on references can be found in the APA Manual, Chapter 4.
8
