In the Market with Janet Parshall Hour 1: How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life
Oct 28, 2025
Rebecca McLaughlin, a Cambridge-educated author and host of the Confronting Christianity podcast, dives into the surprising health benefits of church attendance. She discusses Harvard research linking regular worship to lower mortality and depression rates. McLaughlin emphasizes that it's not just about community but the specific impact of spiritual gatherings. She also addresses the healing potential of church for those with past hurts and frames weekly worship as a health intervention that can shape moral foundations and provide hope amid mortality.
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Church Attendance Shows Measurable Health Benefits
- Regular church attendance shows measurable mental and physical health benefits in large studies.
- Rebecca McLaughlin explains Harvard research linking weekly worship to better wellbeing.
Lower Depression And Deaths Of Despair
- Weekly churchgoers are significantly less likely to become depressed or die from 'deaths of despair.'
- The studies show up to 33% lower depression risk and much lower suicide/drug-related deaths.
Social Support Is Only Part Of The Story
- Social support explains only about 30% of the church effect, implying other factors matter.
- Researchers find worship gatherings produce unique benefits beyond general socializing.
