Are Lonely People More Likely To Believe in God?

[_GoodK]

When I was younger, especially ages 16 - 18 I thought I had certain spiritual experiences. I've been thinking about those experiences, and they happened at the loneliest times in my life.

[_Livingstone22]

Interesting.

There is also a large and interrelated body of research showing that those who are more religious are more likely to enjoy high levels of social support.

Go figure.

Don

My amateur hypothesis would dictate as well that "lonely" people (what ever that means) are more likely to search out and fit into a social group where relations and cohesion is tight....such as a church group where many people are united with a shared value system.

[_why me]

The former is a feeling of exclusion and marginalization and the former is a state of being.

And the feeling of exclusion and marginalization can be a part of the LDS experience. And other church experiences also.

This is true and this was my main problem and why I reached out to my former faith. As someone who is not a young adult but a single human being who is middle aged I felt just a little lonely. Now I feel less lonely with my nun friends and priests. Plus the other regular catholic members that I have come across.

[_the road to hana]

The former is a feeling of exclusion and marginalization and the former is a state of being.

And the feeling of exclusion and marginalization can be a part of the LDS experience. And other church experiences also.

This is true and this was my main problem and why I reached out to my former faith. As someone who is not a young adult but a single human being who is middle aged I felt just a little lonely. Now I feel less lonely with my nun friends and priests. Plus the other regular catholic members that I have come across.

Do those people consider you Mormon, or Catholic?

[_Some Schmo]

When it comes to hanging out with most Mormons, I'd rather be alone.

This article doesn't surprise me, actually. I remember another study that had indicated the two most consistent traits among people with above average longevity were regular exercise and wide social networks. I have also heard that people with pets have a longer life expectancy. Same with married men.

And I'm absolutely convinced that the best potential religious converts are people who are lonely and/or feeling in crisis.

So this isn't all that surprising, given our social nature.

[Anonymous]

I hope you don't leave, the whole feel of the board would change. It would be like Bond leaving.

I wouldn't do that...but I will be off the board a bunch during the later half of the week (Thur-Sun) from now on (new job...gas money...etc).

[_Moniker]

And I'm absolutely convinced that the best potential religious converts are people who are lonely and/or feeling in crisis.

I agree! I haven't had a belief in God since I was a child. It waned before pre-teen years and during my pre-teen years God was non-existent for me. Yet, I had a health scare about a year ago.... and it was nothing.... but I was freaked out and didn't want to go to the doctor so just sat around getting myself into a tizzy. Anyway, after I did that I stumbled back onto the MAD boards and OH MAN I was RIPE FOR THE PLUCKING! And I WAS. I mean, I was eagerly gobbling up faith and in awe of all of it.

Anyway.... yah, I think it is often times in crisis that we look for assurance.

I'm back to being a happy agnostic. :)

[_Moniker]

I hope you don't leave, the whole feel of the board would change. It would be like Bond leaving.

I wouldn't do that...but I will be off the board a bunch during the later half of the week (Thur-Sun) from now on (new job...gas money...etc).

Yah, if you leave we gotta go in unison. Deal?

[_Boaz & Lidia]

Dunno, ask Nehor.

[_bcspace]

My feeling on this goes against the studies. It just seems to me that a lonely person would have fewer reasons to believe in the existence of God. Perhaps it has something to do with a previous condition. Once believing in God and then not vs. never having believed in God, etc.