Comments on: Walk to church (and attend one about three miles away) http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/ The blog of the mystery writer, screenwriter and CEO of Pajamas Media Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Hunter McDaniel http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76629 Hunter McDaniel Wed, 05 Apr 2006 19:57:35 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76629 I attend church regularly and find that the people I meet there are, on average, better adjusted than other samplings I meet (at work, at my kids school, or - God forbid - on the highway). But as several others have pointed out correlation is not causation, and alienated/maladjusted people are likely to be alienated from church as well so selection bias may be a factor. I'm more sympathetic to guys who would come to church to meet chicks than any folks coming for the 'mental health' benefits. I attend church regularly and find that the people I meet there are, on average, better adjusted than other samplings I meet (at work, at my kids school, or – God forbid – on the highway). But as several others have pointed out correlation is not causation, and alienated/maladjusted people are likely to be alienated from church as well so selection bias may be a factor.

I’m more sympathetic to guys who would come to church to meet chicks than any folks coming for the ‘mental health’ benefits.

]]> By: Charlie (Colorado) http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76628 Charlie (Colorado) Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:52:40 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76628 Personally, my regular social group interactions seem to be the *source* of most of the stress in my life. Personally, my regular social group interactions seem to be the *source* of most of the stress in my life.

]]> By: Curmudgeon http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76627 Curmudgeon Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:51:25 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76627 The correlation is quite possibly there, but correlation is not causation. For me, church attendance would not be nearly as effective as the stiff after dinner drink I have every night. The correlation is quite possibly there, but correlation is not causation. For me, church attendance would not be nearly as effective as the stiff after dinner drink I have every night.

]]> By: dclydew http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76626 dclydew Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:30:53 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76626 I think that attendence with a social group may well provide for less stress, a brighter outlook on life and these may indeed contribute to better health. However, from the information available in the article, it appears that the researcher seems to be confusing causation (because of X, Y happens) and correlation (X and Y are true in some individuals). This seems a common practice among the MSM and reporters in general to confuse correlation which might get reported in a scientific study and causation which entails an entirely different type of research. I am reminded of the study which showed no causation between highly ammoral socities and church attendence. Many anti-religious groups reported it as correlation between Churchgoing and amoral activity. Obviously the wrong set of data was being processed by reporters there as well. Ratatosk I think that attendence with a social group may well provide for less stress, a brighter outlook on life and these may indeed contribute to better health.

However, from the information available in the article, it appears that the researcher seems to be confusing causation (because of X, Y happens) and correlation (X and Y are true in some individuals). This seems a common practice among the MSM and reporters in general to confuse correlation which might get reported in a scientific study and causation which entails an entirely different type of research.

I am reminded of the study which showed no causation between highly ammoral socities and church attendence. Many anti-religious groups reported it as correlation between Churchgoing and amoral activity. Obviously the wrong set of data was being processed by reporters there as well.

Ratatosk

]]> By: TM http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76625 TM Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:03:31 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76625 As a psychologist, this is hardly news to me. Empirical research has shown the benefits religious involvement for a number of years. The three basic factors that connect religious involvement to longevity and health are 1) healthy lifestyle, 2) better social support network 3) optimism/hope even when life is difficult. As a psychologist, this is hardly news to me. Empirical research has shown the benefits religious involvement for a number of years.

The three basic factors that connect religious involvement to longevity and health are 1) healthy lifestyle, 2) better social support network 3) optimism/hope even when life is difficult.

]]> By: promoguy http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76624 promoguy Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:55:46 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76624 1. Regular Physical Exercise-Checking the heat on the bbq 2. Proven Therapeutic Regimen-Lipitor 3. Regular Religous Attendance-Praying that the baby backs turn out with a smoke ring. It has worked for 62 years. 1. Regular Physical Exercise-Checking the heat on the bbq

2. Proven Therapeutic Regimen-Lipitor

3. Regular Religous Attendance-Praying that the baby backs turn out with a smoke ring.

It has worked for 62 years.

]]> By: Kevin Peters http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76623 Kevin Peters Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:53:21 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76623 Tim and David: I am sure that you have one of the major factors to look at. Every church has many members that struggle with all the negative health practices that non church goers deal with. It may be that the Church provides, for some, the right atmosphere to deal with those problems or to avoid them in the first place. David, you can go in. If the Church buildings fell on non-believers or sinners there would not be a church building standing anywhere in the world. That's the whole point. Tim and David:

I am sure that you have one of the major factors to look at. Every church has many members that struggle with all the negative health practices that non church goers deal with. It may be that the Church provides, for some, the right atmosphere to deal with those problems or to avoid them in the first place. David, you can go in. If the Church buildings fell on non-believers or sinners there would not be a church building standing anywhere in the world. That’s the whole point.

]]> By: tim maguire http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76622 tim maguire Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:24:00 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76622 I have to wonder how well they controlled for other lifestyle choices made by church-goers vs. those made by non-church-goers. I have to wonder how well they controlled for other lifestyle choices made by church-goers vs. those made by non-church-goers.

]]> By: David Thomson http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76621 David Thomson Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:04:05 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/04/04/walk-to-church-and-attend-one-about-three-miles-away/#comment-76621 I am very confused. How can my going to church extend my life? After all, the ceiling and walls will come tumbling on top of me the very moment I enter the place of worship. I am very confused. How can my going to church extend my life? After all, the ceiling and walls will come tumbling on top of me the very moment I enter the place of worship.

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