BEER-SHEVA, ISRAEL, August 31, 2010 – A new study conducted by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher, together with a researcher from DePaul University, reveals that women in the United States generally derive more happiness from religious participation than from shopping on Sundays. Additionally, the repeal of "blue laws", which allow stores to open on Sundays, has a negative effect on the level of religious participation of white women and therefore has a negative impact on their happiness. Interestingly, the authors did not observe any significant decline in reported happiness of other groups whose religious participation was not significantly affected by repeal. The research also reveals that when Sunday blue laws are repealed, women who choose secular activities, such as shopping, are not happier. The repeal of blue laws decreases the relative probability of being at least “pretty happy” relative to “not happy” by about 17 percent. According to Dr. Danny Cohen-Zada of BGU’s Department of Economics, “We found that there is direct evidence that religious participation has a positive causal effect on a person’s happiness. Furthermore, an important part of the decline in women’s happiness during the last three decades can be explained by decline in religious participation.”
A Jewish university combined with a Roman Catholic one and now there is evidence. If you want to be happy, don't shop on Sunday, worship on Sunday. I always knew it. Though now I am left with a predicament. We do not worship because it makes us happy. We worship in response to God's pleasure at sending His Son to become our Savior and bestowing upon us in grace what works could never win -- forgiveness, life, and salvation. So, do I sit on this secret path to happiness or proclaim it to the world -- Don't worry. Be Happy. Go to Church!!
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