| During the last few years, I have witnessed | | | | indicated that a spiritual enthusiast actually |
| first-hand the increasing anti-religion movement upon | | | | experiences above-average health. This reduction in |
| which the United States was originally founded. With | | | | illness includes physical ailments as well as mental |
| items such as removing prayer from schools to | | | | afflictions, such as depression. And even more |
| banning the public display of the Nativity Scene, and | | | | interesting is that the mortality rate is lowered over |
| let's not forget the person who wanted to sue | | | | measured periods of time, with one panel's research |
| congress for mentioning God in the Pledge of | | | | showing a 25% lower rate of death in those |
| Allegiance, it would seem that quite a few Americans | | | | attending a weekly religious service. |
| have developed a sour taste to the notion of a | | | | While some once-skeptical medical professors now |
| celestial god. Granted, my encounters of such | | | | support the notion that belief in God is associated to |
| behavior are more frequent since I currently reside in | | | | health benefits, other researchers excuse the better |
| one of the most liberal states of America, | | | | health as simply a less risky lifestyle of those who |
| nevertheless, the truth remains that religion seems to | | | | follow the faith. For instance, someone striving to be |
| not be as important as it once was. The key word | | | | a good Christian may lower there alcohol |
| here is 'seems'. | | | | consumption. In this case, it is possibly the lowered |
| In August 2005, Newsweek Magazine published a | | | | alcohol consumption that actually decreases the |
| survey that noted 519 million people believe in THE | | | | chance of illness. Another example would be a person |
| higher power. While "THE" is subjective to each | | | | intent upon living a moralistic lifestyle based on |
| individual, it falls within the many American melting pot | | | | religious beliefs may have a lower involvement in |
| religions that turn to divinity for comfort. Also | | | | casual sex encounters, thereby lowering the chance |
| noteworthy is a recent news story. One church | | | | of contracting disease. And finally, the practice of |
| managed to drudge its way past celebrity gossip, | | | | prayer and meditation lowers the incidence of stress. |
| wartime casualties and disastrous weather forecasts | | | | The latter, a well known factor in many heart disease |
| right smack into the media spotlight. Looks like religion | | | | pre-cursor conditions. |
| really does still exist since this particular church, | | | | While the proof of a divine higher being will remain a |
| Lakewood Church, out of Houston Texas just | | | | mystery all the days of our life, quite a few |
| became what is called a "mega-church". This title | | | | professionals agree that there are definite positive |
| belongs to only a few in the United States, and to be | | | | benefits associated with being a believer. Number |
| deserving of such a label takes massive | | | | one, we cannot control our lives nor everyone in |
| accomplishment. In this case, having a physical | | | | them, no matter how hard we try. When the chips |
| weekly congregation of approximately 30,000 people | | | | are down in these instances, what better way to |
| and claiming NBA's Houston Rockets former coliseum | | | | turn the reigns over to another source and alleviate a |
| as its new home. Further, if the number of | | | | moment or two of inner turmoil and angst. Number |
| parishioners is impressive to you, let it be known that | | | | two, it is highly likely that the majority of people who |
| preacher Joel Osteen inspires even more people | | | | attend church really do want and strive to be good |
| across the country with his televised Sunday morning | | | | people, no matter what their human tendencies may |
| ministry, which can be found in competitive timeslots | | | | default to, post service. And finally, if and when we |
| to your local Sunday morning service as well as late | | | | do arrive at that celestial set of white pearly gates, |
| night hours throughout the week. But what does this | | | | we will have walked the walk of faith and will |
| mean to the health industry? | | | | promptly gain entrance with our well-merited one |
| In 2005 after a two-year study on participants | | | | way golden ticket. |
| attending a weekly religious service, research | | | | |