Poll: Christmas is Merrier with Christ

Religious people said happier than those without spirituality

December 12, 2003
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

A new study finds those who keep Christ in Christmas have a merrier holiday.

"Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier," said Dr. Stephen Joseph of the University of Warwick, who conducted the poll.

Based on surveys of 57 men and 44 women from Britain who completed complex questionnaires, Joseph concluded people who get caught up in the trappings of Christmas shopping suffer the most during the yuletide.

"People who strive for materialistic things at the expense of other intrinsic things such as friends or family were the unhappiest," said Joseph. "Christmas straddles both sides of the problem – you are buying a lot of material things and overlooking the Christian message."

"Looking at the research evidence," he told the Washington Times, "it seems those who celebrate the Christian meaning of Christmas are, on the whole, likely to be happier. The research shows that too much materialism in our lives can be terrible for happiness."

The findings also suggest that people who mark the holiday season by making charitable donations and participating in community service are happier than those looking to fatten their own wallets.

Americans' spirituality continues long after the Christmas wrapping paper and bows have been discarded, according to another survey.

A Gallup poll of 1,004 adults released Friday found 61 percent surveyed said religion is "very important in their own lives," and almost two-thirds reported they are a member of a church or synagogue.

About a third of respondents said they attend services every week.

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