Religion and Happiness.

Over the past few weeks, a series of studies have been released regarding religious faith and happiness in the various states across America. The results are interesting, as it appears the happiest states are also very religious compared to the national average.

Happiest states vs. Religious states

Happiest 1 - Louisiana, Religious 1 - Mississippi.
Happiest 2 - Hawaii, Religious 2 - Alabama.
Happiest 3 - Florida, Religious 3 - Arkansas.
Happiest 4 - Tennessee, Religious 4 - Louisiana.
Happiest 5 - Arizona, Religious 5 - Tennessee.
Happiest 6 - South Carolina, Religious 6 - South Carolina.
Happiest 7 - Mississippi, Religious 7 - Oklahoma.
Happiest 8 - Montana, Religious 8 - North Carolina.
Happiest 9 - Alabama, Religious 9 - Georgia.
Happiest 10 - Maine, Religious 10 - Kentucky.

Five of the happiest states, are also quite religious.

Least happy states vs. Least religious states

Least happy 51 (including DC) - New York, Least religious 46 (small states combined, including DC) - New Hampshire/Vermont.
Least happy 50 - Connecticut, Least religious 45 - Alaska.
Least happy 49 - Michigan, Least religious 44 - Massachusetts.
Least happy 48 - Indiana, Least religious 43 - Maine.
Least happy 47 - New Jersey, Least religious 42 - Connecticut/Rhode Island.
Least happy 46 - California, Least religious 41 - Colorado.
Least happy 45 - Illinois, Least religious 40 - Oregon.
Least happy 44 - Massachusetts, Least religious 39 - New York.
Least happy 43 - Ohio, Least religious 38 - Montana/Wyoming.
Least happy 42 - Rhode Island, Least religious 37 - Wisconsin.

Four of the unhappiest states, are also among the least religious of all states.

Conclusions

While economic conditions, freedom, political control of government, taxation on the populace, weather, and other reasons affect the happiness scale, religion appears to have a stronger presence in the results of the happiest states, than it does for the depressed states. Also, being a native of New York, both surveys do not surprise me.

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