Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life
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Oct 28, 2025 
Rebecca McLaughlin, a distinguished author and Christian apologist, discusses groundbreaking Harvard research that links weekly church attendance to improved mental and physical health. She explains how the church serves as a true family, offering hope particularly to Gen Z. Highlighting the church's role in community care and the importance of inviting others, she addresses barriers to attendance and the unique benefits of corporate worship. McLaughlin also emphasizes the need for authentic love and intergenerational relationships within the church.
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Weekly Church Attendance Improves Health
- Regular weekly church attendance yields large mental and physical health benefits comparable to exercise and quitting smoking.
- The Harvard research links organized religious participation (corporate worship) to these effects beyond mere socializing.
Organized Worship Beats Generic Spirituality
- The measured benefit is tied specifically to organized worship, not just general social gatherings or private spirituality.
- Social benefits explain ~30% of the effect, so corporate worship adds distinct measurable value.
Christianity Shaped Modern Moral Claims
- Many modern moral convictions (universal human equality, care for the weak) have Christian historical roots.
- Removing Christianity leaves those convictions without an obvious coherent foundation, as acknowledged by some atheist thinkers.
