Why religion matters
December 19, 2006| By Nathaniel Ward
A steadily growing body of evidence from the social sciences demonstrates that regular religious practice benefits individuals, families, and communities, and thus the nation as a whole. In a new paper, Heritage scholar Pat Fagan argues that religious practice is the key to social stability.
Regular attendance at religious services is linked to healthy, stable family life, strong marriages, and well-behaved children. The practice of religion also leads to a reduction in the incidence of domestic abuse, crime, substance abuse, and addiction. In addition, religious practice leads to an increase in physical and mental health, longevity, and education attainment. Moreover, these effects are intergenerational, as grandparents and parents pass on the benefits to the next generations.
Fagan continues: “Strong and repeated evidence indicates that the regular practice of religion has beneficial effects in nearly every aspect of social concern and policy. This evidence shows that religious practice protects against social disorder and dysfunction.”
Specifically, the available data clearly indicate that religious belief and practice are associated with:
- Higher levels of marital happiness and stability;
- Stronger parent–child relationships;
- Greater educational aspirations and attainment, especially among the poor;
- Higher levels of good work habits;
- Greater longevity and physical health;
- Higher levels of well-being and happiness;
- Higher recovery rates from addictions to alcohol or drugs;
- Higher levels of self-control, self-esteem, and coping skills;
- Higher rates of charitable donations and volunteering; and
- Higher levels of community cohesion and social support for those in need.
The evidence further demonstrates that religious belief and practice are also associated with:
- Lower divorce rates:
- Lower cohabitation rates;
- Lower rates of out-of-wedlock births;
- Lower levels of teen sexual activity;
- Less abuse of alcohol and drugs;
- Lower rates of suicide, depression, and suicide ideation;
- Lower levels of many infectious diseases;
- Less juvenile crime;
- Less violent crime; and
- Less domestic violence.
So what does this mean? Religion offers real, workable solutions where government does not. It’s another nail in the coffin of liberal policy prescriptions that impose more and more government—which crowds out the very private religious organizations and other civil society institutions that can fix today’s ills.
Policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels should encourage an environment in which religious institutions and organizations can thrive and citizens can actively practice their faith. Put simply, government should get out of the way and allow civil society to flourish.
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation.