Regular Churchgoing Good For Health, Survey Shows

An article survey published in Newsweek indicated that those who don’t go to church die, on the average, at age 75, while those who attend church less than weekly die at age 80, those once per week die at 82 and those more than weekly at 83. This translates to an 11-percent prolongation of the average life span. An 11 percent longer span means an additional six to seven years, time enough to see one’s grandchildren grow up and possibly finish college

Dr. George W. Comstock, a medical researcher at John Hopkins University discovered that the risk of total heart disease is almost twice as high for non-churchgoers than for those who attend once a week or more. Dr. Comstock also found that regular churchgoing and clean living that often goes with it appear to help people prevent various ailment, total car accidents and suicides.

The Newsweek article said regular churchgoers tended to less depressed (- 131 percent), have better chances of quitting smoking (+78 percent), have more exercise (+ 54 percent) and were more determined to quit alcoholic beverage (+ 39 percent).

Pastor Richard Mendoza of the Manila Adventist Medical Center Church, in reaction to the Newsweek article says: “Clergymen have a tremendous influence on their parishioners when it comes to healthy living. After all, the Bible declares, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Pastor Mendoza laments that there are people who go church only three times, on their baptism, marriage and funeral. “The first time they are sprinkled with water, the second time with rice and the third time with dirt,” he says.