Happiness and Religion

Religious believers often say that their religion makes them happy and that this is one of the reasons for them remaining loyal to their religion₂. Unfortunately, across the world, religious countries are unhappy. In other words, religious beliefs are more prevalent in unhappy countries. But do unhappy people become more religious, or, is it the case that if a country becomes too religious, it descends into a state of unhappiness? Put the other way around, if people become happy overall, do they forget about religion, or, if people abandon their religions, do they begin to become more happy? The answers are not easy to find, but, at least, we can see the happiness and religion are certainly negatively correlated on a country-by-country basis, and, within populations. Atheist countries, including Buddhist ones, are happiest₂. And the non-religious are happier than religious folk.

1. Questions on Causation Verses Correlation
   1. Do Unhappy People Become More Religious? Is it a Coping Mechanism?
   2. Do Happy Nations Forget About Religion? Does Materialism Suppress Spiritualism?
   3. If People Abandon Religion, Do They Become Happier? Is Being 'Carefree' the Explanation?
   4. What Causes Underdeveloped Countries to be More Religious and Less Happy? Is it Lack of Education?
   5. Is There Something About Highly-Developed Countries that Cause Happiness and Irreligiosity?
   6. If a Country Becomes Too Religious, Does It Descend Into Unhappiness? Does Religion Cause Angst and Division?
2. Which Countries are Most and Least Happy?
3. The False Lure of the Pursuit of Happiness