Here's the word according to Jesus:

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Now, here's the word according to Dave. If the issue is salvation bribes, don't pay 10%. You can send your donation of 5% - that's right, only five per-cent - to me, C/O Newsvine.

I will promise you eternal life and forgiveness for your sins.

A heaven of a deal for half-price. Free enterprise, baby. Praise be to god.

Gee, I'll give up my .44 difference anyday rather than subscribe to the illogical claptrap that most religions espouse. It's no wonder that mankand carries on destroying the planet if they've kidded themselves into believing that there's an afterlife ...so why worry about it ? And people 'with religion' feel happier do they ? Case of ignorance is bliss if you ask me ! No one in their right mind would be happy with the state of affairs which exist nowadays but people let themselves be seduced into various escape clauses such as "Oh it's G's plan" or "Just keep praying" or "Don't think about yourselves, give it all away'..all of which conveniently beg the issues.

The athiest liberals are not going to like this story one bit. They want us to feel depressed and insignificant so we sleep around and party instead of being responsible and raising a family while leaving big government to make all the tough decisions for us.

Well of course they are "cheerier" and I'm sure I would be too if I lived in a land of make-believe where I have no ultimate responsibility for myself and I'll live happily ever after death in eternal bliss. No need to worry about the planet - global warming will only speed the end of the world and rapture for the chosen faithful. Right? No need to worry about death - that's all taken care of neatly. Right? Life is simple. Everything is spelled out in very simple and unquestionable dogma. No need to worry about deciding - that is taken care of by the church. They will even tell you which candidate to vote for. As long as you tithe as expected and go to church your story is certain - well at least the ending. Yeah, I can see how church makes people "cheerier" that choose to live in a supernatural universe.

On the other hand non-believers have to take personal responsibility for everything they do. There is no absolution and no easy direction to life. There is no afterlife, this is all they have. They also have to live in a world with a majority of other people that choose to live in a pretend world - one that we are not included in, and they certainly don't care about this one much. It's like being on a huge lifeboat and most people would rather pray than row to safety. The faithful would rather fight contraception and sexuality than fight global climate change, cancer, poverty, economic inequality, racism, sexism or other pressing issues here on earth. Sure, it's more difficult to be cheery living in the "real" world than a fantasy. It's certainly not worth it to me...

Sleeping in and then waking up and being able to do whatever I want is usually enough to put a smile on my face.

Never once do I recall wishing I instead had to wake up early for my weekly indoctrination session.

But every person is different. If latching onto a fantasy improves your quality of life, then go for it! You could do a lot worse.

the very first sentence tells you how phony the article is. It says 'church, mosque, synagogue. then the rest of the article is about sunday. well, sunday is CHURCH. mosque is friday. synagogue is saturday. so who is he talking about? not about muslims or jews. just CHRISTIANS. well, we all know that they have some serious issues.

You don't give a link to your blog, but consider this, a line from one of my favorite songs..........'the sabbath at the end of all our tears'. your handle brought it to mind. Read the last chapters, 58-66 of Isaiah. 'The word of God stands forever'.

My husband is like you. He gets depressed if he goes to church. I'm just the opposite. I get depressed if I don't go.

I must be completely different from everyone else. I was made to attend church as a child. After I was married and had children I began again. Always made me feel like hell when I was a child. Didn't take me long after I became an adult to began feeling the same. Finally I asked my wife and children how they felt? To my surprise, they all said they felt as I did. My Children especially, said Church made them think of God as an overbearing, harsh and generally mean individual. We quit going then. Always have felt much better.

Any chance you might have been going to bad churches? I've been to churches like what you described, but not all are like that!

We recently started attending a new church after leaving our old one and floating around for a bit, and the feeling of happiness we found when we discovered our new church was not only amazing, but on my part unexpected. I'm glad we didn't give up after a few bad places-though I was ready to!

Then again, I was blessed to grow up in a good church, so my base feelings and emotions surrounding church are very different than yours would be. I have no agenda, but a natural desire to share that which I have found to make me happy, so I ask that you don't give up on God because of a building full of people.

Mac, maybe you just need to find another church. My husband and I changed our membership to a new church over the past few months. Our old church had become politically focussed in ways that did not seem fair/balanced to us. Consequently, we left every week feeling angry at what we saw as propaganda. There are a lot of good people there and a lot of good messages being preached, but we ultimately could not get past the political sideshow and decided we needed to find something that affected us more positively.

It's important to find a church where you are told the truth, and sometimes the truth is not easy to hear. But the good news of the Christian faith is that God offers grace and forgiveness. If you are in a church that isn't emphasizing that, or isn't presenting it in a way that speaks to you, find somewhere that does. Eternity is too long to ignore your spiritual health.

This study is a little thin. Maybe they should also survey people who get together to play boardgames on Sunday, or who regularly meet up with friends for a Sunday fishing trip. I suspect it's not so much going to church, but regular group social contact that chases away the Sunday blues. Just a theory.

Sure.

Sniffle-I had an experience a lot like yours.My old church always told people what they wanted to hear,and we never took out our bibles.My new church tells the truth,even if the truth is brings bad news.

I can see how churches help some people, that community of general good will and like minds can be uplifting. Personally I don't go, perhaps I wouldn't mind it but I'm not a morning person and I don't particularly care for someone pretending they are the voice of God and their interpretation is the only interpretation. Mayhaps I haven't found the church for me but for now I don't mind it, I can practice my faith at home just as well as in a church. Either way this study isn't too terribly surprising. There is an excellent community spirit at Church that's hard to ignore.

During football season, I need to update my fantasy roster. The rest of the year, Sunday is a great day to catch up on chores or enjoy the outdoors with the family and dog. Why would somebody want to get dressed up to listen to some boring liar who you have to give money to?

" Why would somebody want to get dressed up to listen to some boring liar who you have to give money to?"

If you don't go to church,how do you know that they lie and what do they say that are lies?Also,whoever said you MUST give money to the church?It's optional,even though Jesus said that he wanted people to donate to the church.

If you don't go to church,how do you know that they lie and what do they say that are lies?

Random Pennsylvanian: Because I used to go to church, and they told me a talking snake convinced a woman to do evil and that is why there will always be suffering. Check please!

So where is your proof that it's a lie?Sure,a snake can't talk,but the story your talking about happened a long time ago.

So, here we are.....religion at the forefront AGAIN.

Then there was the article suggesting Romney lost in La because of religion which went completely over the top.

However, leave it to the media to continue articles on religion, women's rights, racial matters, immigrants being the victims, class warfare, gas/oil prices, and whatever else to deflect from Mr. Obamas' FAILED "Go Green" and "Stimulus payback" policies.

Actually, these articles are NOT HELPING Mr. Obama one bit....but are having a TREMENDOUS NEGATIVE IMPACT on his approval ratings and ability to get re-elected. He sealed his fate when he said: "I deserve to be re-elected".

Gotta love the spin coming down the tubes everyday.

to ThinkingScientist. firstly, your handle doesn't jibe with your statement 'they told me'. The things being discussed in church are things written in a book that is over 3000 years old. If you want the facts, don't rely on 'they told me'. bad science. The book says that the woman was deceived by a talking serpent. But because she was deceived, she wasn't held responsible. Her husband, the man, was not deceived, because he knew the commandment of God, but he chose willingly to do wrong, to please his wife. He received the greater punishment/responsibility.

Random PA, I think you may have misunderstood my post, since you agree with it and then go on below to endorse politically oriented preaching. I left my old church in part because of the anti-Obama/anti-Democrat bias, and I tend to vote Republican about 2/3 of the time myself so you know the bias had to be pretty obvious. Sure, the Dems are wrong on lots of things. SO ARE THE REPUBLICANS! I'm tired of pretending that God is a Republican. When I started getting letters from the Pastor insinuating that curtailing illegal immigration and supporting the so-called "war on terror" are religiously mandated, I finally had enough. Preach the truth...you know, from the BIBLE?

Depends on the church.

Actually, they do teach and read from the New testament at every mass. Please attend sometime.

Good point. Many do not realize this.

Exactly right, Morndew! People are not happy pursuing happiness, they are happy when they are pursuing righteousness (being in a right relationship with God).

I believe the social aspect. People look forward to seeing and mingling with friends. Think about elderly people who may not get out much, but have Sunday to look forward to not being alone.

I'm sorry to hear about your emotional problems and heavy mood-swings Ihate. Perhaps if you stopped carrying all that hate around with you?

Just pray.Praying always works,although Jesus may not answer your prayer right away.

I'm impressed that you managed to take a sort of feel-good story and turn into a dig against Obama. Congratulations.

think 'Resurrection'

tom,

All believing Christians are resurrected through the grace of God, earned by Christ's sacrifice for us.

I was trying to point out broader reasons for church attendence. After all, if only the truly saved attended church, we'd have a lot of empty buildings on Sundays. Salvation comes from grace which comes from belief which comes from exposure and development which comes from church.

One may believe and worship alone, as did the aestetic hermits. But Church requires a community (2 or 3 or more) to be in communion, to hear the Sacred Word and to worship at Eucharist (communion). No building required, just the elements of the Feast and the sacrifice to provide for the elements and the common good.

They do it for the same reason that Hawaiians used to throw virgins into volcanoes, Amish don't have TV's,  Egyptians worshipped cats and Mayans used to cut out peoples hearts on an altar.

They're all doing what god wants.

Photo-YES!Many christians forget the fact that one of the commandments is "Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy".I go to a small baptist church,I never realized that small churches have great preachers.

Does it actually say "Go to church"? "Remember the sabbath..." Doesn't necessarily mean church, does it?

"Keep it holy" refers to learning about Jesus.He wants us to go to church,read our bibles,and follow his commandments.If you don't go to church,it's hard to understand the bible.

How do you know that's what it means?

Because I read the Bible.The bible will explain many of your questions.Jesus said to his disciples that he used parables that no one understood but himself.He said that when he died,his disciples would understand his parables.His disciples are the preachers,and they interpret gods word for us.

But your interpretation of the Bible is subjective. So, again, how do you know what the author(s) of the Bible were really trying to say?

The author of the bible was god,he just told people what to write down.I don't know how to give it to you in more simpler terms,Jesus said to worship at gods temple,rejoice,and praise him.

That's not simple at all. How can you rely on a human with an imperfect memory to write down a holy text? Can you quote some passages that specifically deal with the topic at hand?

Help me out big guy...what was the Cross about...if you're such a sweetheart?

You're going to quiz her? Seems a bit petty.

Yup...he's a tricky little bugger...you better wake up....

Hagee tells the truth,even if people don't want to hear it.I know most liberal christians don't like him because he's against Obama,but he's right about him so far.Israel is gods country,anyone who is against it will be punished.Also,name one time Hagee said "I hate so and so".He only hates the devil,but just because Hagee doesn't agree with Obama's policies does not mean he hates him.

I'm a channel surfer and very occasionally I stop and listen to Hagee for a few minutes. It's about all I can take. On those rare occasions that I have watched him,he viciously attacked muslims( no surprise there), also Catholics. That did surprise me in this day and age. Also he's the guy that McCain had to run away from as a speaker at a campaign event in 2008 when McCains people realized how hateful the guy is.

Hagee is angry with Muslims because most Muslims beat,rape,and abuse their wives to death.Muslims don't like any religion other than their own.I've never heard Hagee "attack catholics",but I did hear him say one time "Catholics believe they can pray people into heaven,but they do not realize how wrong they are".Hagee doesn't hate Muslims,he just hates their beliefs.

Most Muslims beat and abuse their wives? Really? Have you taken a survey? How do you know this?

Muslims don't like any religion but their own? So? Do you like any religion but your own?

It's in the Muslim religion.It says that anyone who doesn't believe in Allah must be destroyed.Muslims do beat their wives.They think lesser of them and believe women are toys that Allah sent down to please men.I try to convince people to come to christianity,but I don't kill the person if they don't want to.

Karl..you silly man you...Don't you know you can't argue with those that are blinded by the 'light'? Their blindness also removes all common sense. He obviously can't think for himself..poor guy just needs to be put away so he can rock in his rubber room with his bible and call out to jesus for salvation.. I don't know who Hagee is, and probably a good thing, but any one who hates anything is not a christian and don't really follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as laid out in the program. Anyone who takes the word of someone like Hagee is truly misled. Hagee probably doesn't know the first thing about Islam which has been around longer than Christianity. Probably doesn't know that Islam considers Jesus to be a messenger of God. Ignorance is far more terrifying than any religion and that is the problem with religion. Too many ignorant people. And for the record, I am neither. I am an atheist who believes in knowledge - the true light.

Random, until very recently, history wise, women were considered to be property - In the christian religion. In fact many men still feel that way and use bible verses to back up their barbarity. So educate yourself on the reality of any religious belief before making yours out to be such a shining example. It isn't and wasn't. Atrocities have been done in the name of your christian god for centuries.

Women get treated respectfully by christian men.Quit trying to create childish arguments.

Random,

I think you're making the classic mistake of assuming that muslims are a homogenous group of humans. Let me ask you this: Do christians all believe exactly the same thing when it comes to the basics? Are there some christians who believe in a more orthodox path, and conversely, some christians who are liberal in their beliefs? I know my answer would be yes.

If you answered "yes" to my questions, they why would you believe that all muslim men beat their wives?

Yes,there are different types of Christianity.Not all Muslims beat their wives,but if you go to Iraq,Pakistan,or Iran,you'll probably see the majority of Muslims abusing their wives.In America and maybe Saudi Arabia,you will not see muslims abusing their wives because people live better lives in those countries.I'm glad we could have a good discussion.Thank you for also teaching me that not all Athiests are like Lynda,where they automatically think Christians are evil.Good night.

So, now you're saying that it's not necessarily the religion that makes them do it, but their socio-economic status? But, again, I wonder how you know that the majority of (poor) muslim men beat their wives...

You are wrong to think that all people who dismiss your version of God are uninformed. Some of the greatest thinkers in history dismiss your view of god. Think Dawkins, Einstein, Hawking and many, many more.

If you find this article offensive,then why do you comment on it? MSNBC also posts Athiest articles,but I don't find them offensive.

Lynda, It's not a pill or a panacea. It's faith. You either have it or you don't. It's not logic. It's not driven by intelligence ( I have a Mensa IQ). It's not concrete nor can it be proven undeniably real. It's Faith. And as sure as I am reading what you wrote and as sure as I am of the words I am writing, He exists. I can't logically argue with you to prove He exists, I just know He does. FAITH, can't explain it. Can't logically define it, but I know it's true. Doesn't make me an idiot nor does it make you one. If you don't have it (Faith) it is a feeling that can't be explained or proven to a non-believer.....And belief or non belief doesn't make you or me a bad person.

Perfect description of an addict.

Dylanseq,

Odd, the most environmentally, socially, and politically active people I know are all involved in a church or temple. And we are all charged with the responsibility to preserve God's creation. Destruction usually comes from followers of Mammon, worshipers of wealth and power.