• The strength of the family unit is intertwined with the practice of religion. Churchgoers⁸ are more likely to be married, less likely to be divorced or single, and more likely to manifest high levels of satisfaction in marriage.
• Church attendance is the most important predictor of marital stability and happiness.
• The regular practice of religion helps poor persons move out of poverty. Regular church attendance, for example, is particularly instrumental in helping young people to escape the poverty of inner-city life.
• Religious belief and practice contribute substantially to the formation of personal moral criteria and sound moral judgment.
• Regular religious practice generally inoculates individuals against a host of social problems, including suicide, drug abuse, out-of-wedlock births, crime, and divorce.
• The regular practice of religion also encourages such beneficial effects on mental health as less depression (a modern epidemic), more self-esteem, and greater family and marital happiness.
• In repairing damage caused by alcoholism, drug addiction, and marital breakdown, religious belief and practice are a major source of strength and recovery.
• Regular practice of religion is good for personal physical health: It increases longevity, improves one's chances of recovery from illness, and lessens the incidence of many killer diseases.

For the full study: "Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability," by Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D., see:

http://www.heritage.org/Res...