At MarketWatch there is a piece entitled
Rise in middle-aged white ‘deaths of despair’ may be fueled by loss of religion, new research paper argues
Excerpt:
So-called deaths of despair such as from suicide or alcohol abuse have been skyrocketing for middle-aged white Americans.
It’s been blamed on various phenomenon, including opioid abuse. But a new research paper finds a different culprit — declining religious practice.
[…]
States that experienced larger declines in religious participation in the last 15 years of the 20th century saw larger increases in deaths of despair.
[…]
What’s also interesting is that the impact seems to be driven by actual formal religious participation, rather than belief or personal activities like prayer. “These results underscore the importance of cultural institutions such as religious establishments in promoting well-being,” they said.
[…]
But… but… but…. VATICAN II!!
It’s a new springtime, like Pentecost all over again but BETTER!
