HAPPINESS?

In an article entitled "The Happiest Nations on Earth are Strongly Secular", author Phil Zuckerman makes the case that religion isn't necessary for happiness.

Zuckerman is the author of several books. The titles clearly indicate a life devoted to a particular cause: What It Means to be Moral, The Nonreligious, Living the Secular Life, Faith No More, and Society Without God.

Upon examining a list of the happiest countries, the author notes that the majority are thoroughly secular in their mindsets.

To his credit, Zuckerman does acknowledge that "to assert that they are happy because they are secular is not statistically warranted; it would be a bald case of apparent correlation but not proven causation." 

However, Zuckerman continues. "That said, for those who persistently claim that religion is a necessary component of a healthy, happy society – insisting that if religious faith and involvement fade, the results will be deleterious – well, that position is demonstrably untenable; the data presented in this latest World Happiness Report, with highly secular nations consistently holding the top positions, render the argument that society needs religion in order for its citizens to thrive, as simply not true."

"Bible study, church attendance, prayer, faith – clearly such things can decrease and diminish, without causing widespread anguish or depression. Indeed, it seems that just the opposite can be the surprising result."

So the world doesn't need religion?

I see two major flaws with Zuckerman's conclusion.

1) It is extremely shortsighted. "These nations are happy right now, so who needs faith?" Does he anticipate what may come in 2 or 3 decades? 100 years? 

2) It misunderstands the role of salt and light. Who said Christianity produces happiness? 

Peace, yes. Purpose, sure. Even joy. But happiness?

The Apostle Paul wrote, "If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Corinthians 15:19) Christianity certainly didn't bring 24/7 happiness to Paul.

It brought suffering more than happiness.

But it also brings something more important than happiness. 

It brings Truth.