Christians don't live a perfect life. They don't always do the right thing; sometimes they do some pretty bad things.
But if a person is a genuine, dedicated Christian, they are probably trying to leave their old nature behind, the one they were born with that was strongly disposed to do the wrong thing. The sincere Christian is probably praying regularly, reading the Bible regularly, and attending church regularly. And he/she is probably trying to consistently apply the principles they're learning in those pursuits to their daily lives.
That should be making a difference in the way they live, right? According to a new study by Bradford Wilcox, a sociology professor at the University of Virginia, it does.
LifeSiteNews reports Wilcox found that 70% of husbands who attend church regularly say they are "very happy" in their marriages, compared to 59% who rarely if ever attend church.
The article also said that married couples who regularly attend Christian church services are 35% less likely to divorce.
Also reported was that fathers who regularly attend church spend an average of two more hours a week in activities with their children, and spent more one-on-one time with their children, and were 65% more likely to hug and praise their children. Also found was that children born within marriage had better relationships with their fathers.
From the article:
Wilcox concluded his research brief by strongly advocating the positive effects that religion has on husbands and fathers: "This brief provides an array of evidence indicating that religion is an answer to the male problematic-that is, the tendency of fathers to become detached, emotionally or physically, from their children and the mothers of their children. I find that fathers who are religious, and who have partners who are religious, are-on average-more likely to be happily married, to be engaged and affectionate parents, and to get and stay married to the mothers of their children."
The study also points out:
- children living in father-absent homes rose from 11% in 1960 to 27% in 2000; that's nearly one in three
- 60% of children in fatherless families saw their fathers once a month or less
- children born to a cohabiting couple had a 50% risk of parental breakup within the first five years of their life (children born in marriage only face a 15% risk)
You can find the study here.
As Benjamin Franklin, one of the least religious of the Founders, said, "If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it?"
With the high divorce rate, crime rate, and fatherless rate, I think we're finding out.
Let's turn it around, guys.
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