Some people, like atheists, think that going to church isn’t necessary, and neither is prayer or religion. However, research shows that the contrary and people who go to church regularly are happier and more fulfilled. The man behind this research is Frank Newport, a Gallup Senior Scientist. He recently reported on statistics found by Gallup that back the idea that attending religious services has a convincing impact on people’s life views. According to Newport, the January Gallup data showed that 92 percent of people who go to church weekly are satisfied, compared with 82 percent of people who attend less than monthly.

Newport also wrote, “The difference is even more evident in terms of the percentage who report being very satisfied — 67% of those who attend weekly are very satisfied with their personal life, compared with 48% among those who are infrequent attenders.” Also, for anyone who thinks that money is the end-all, be-all of happiness, consider that weekly church service is a more potent sign of happiness than is higher income. According to Newport, weekly church attenders are more likely to say they’re very satisfied than people who make $100,000 or more in annual household income.

However, Newport also says that these findings are just the start; there’s a long line of studies that relate religiosity and wellbeing. The overall conclusion from the research is that the more religious people are, they’re less likely to suffer from depression, and they appear to be more content. Newport also shared findings from another series of in-depth reporting done at Gallup. According to his summary conclusion, those who are very religious rate their lives more positively and are less likely to be diagnosed with depression. They also experience fewer daily negative emotions. The very religious also make better health choices than the not as religious or not religious at all.

Another recent Gallup role found better mental health among churchgoers. Forty-four percent of weekly churchgoers told Gallup they would describe their mental health and emotional wellbeing as excellent, compared to 46 percent who said the same in 2020 and 42 percent of regular congregants who reported excellent mental health in 2019. There you have it; contrary to the opinions of atheists and secular activists, regular church attendance can positively affect your overall wellbeing. The majority of people who go to church weekly say that they’re satisfied with their lives. Atheists may wonder why that is, but the answer is simple.

The church is more than a building where people convene to praise and worship and go home. The church is a stronghold in the community that brings everyone together. It’s a place where you can lay down your burdens and come out feeling like a new person. You can pray for others and the struggles that they’re going through. Some may offer the argument that you can do the same activities at home, but it’s not the same as physically going to church. The proof is in the pudding; people who regularly go to church are happier and more content with their life. You can read Newport’s full report here.