Not rich? Attend religious services regularly to get wealthy

Walter, Taken from the article which was dated from 1998; " She used data on 4,950 participants collected from 1985 through 1998.

Overall, the median net worth of Jewish people in the survey was $150,890, more than three times the median for the entire sample ($48,200). The median net worth for conservative Protestants (which included Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, among others) was $26,200, or about half the overall average. The median net worth of mainstream Protestants (including Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Unitarians and others) and Catholics were similar to each other and about the average for the whole sample."

I think many things changed since 1998, but more importantly, the tech bubble burst about a year after that time. Just wondering how close those numbers reflect current "median net worth" of church-going Americans.

As a atheist, our net worth is more than the top average shown by this study - then and now.

I suspect this study is either too simplistic or flawed. Taking the Jews for example, it could also be argued that they have a higher per capita "IQ" and this is a major factor contributing to wealth. The point is that all correlations are made in the light of some guiding hypotheses or biased agenda. The correlation of IQ and "race" is shunned for "political correctness" reasons etc.
...and what of the biblical proverb "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to pass through the gates of Heaven"....

Studies of this sort are, as a rule, pretty meaningless. I imagine that one could gather statistics showing that people who drive blue cars, for example, make more money than those who drive red cars. Or vice versa. Why should religious affiliation make any difference unless the pollsters are, in fact, trying to prove a point and have a hidden agenda. It has long been the practice in certain quarters to point at the 'money-grubbing Jews' as though a person's religious affiliation had a direct link to that person's fiscal status.

I'm glad, Andrew, that you didn't mention silver cars :wink:

But seriously, I think, you are completely correct with your judgment.

At one time, there was a statistical study (humorous) that porported to prove that people under the age of 25 in Miami, Florida were highly likely to be of Cuban ancestry, but by the time they had died of old age, they had become Jewish. The numbers were right, of course, but the conclusion was at variance with the facts.

roger, I would be interested in seeing more of those kinds of studies. They are interesting and funny at the same time.

Roger,

In summer. you can find such regularily in European (German) papers, starting with something like:
"Scientist from an American university found out that ..."

Okay, Walter, quit picking on us yanks.

just a little light refreshment : some years ago we attended a jewish wedding; lot's of fun, eating , drinking, merry-making. when i was taking some snapshots and muttered the platitude "say cheese", the ladies replied "SAY MONEY" - and it really worked; never seen such happy faces. i should add that we have also been invited to bar mitzvah's and other family gatherings and have always received a wonderful welcome. hbg

hbg, I think my brother is a Jew. He told us to say "money" many years ago when we were having family pictures taken.

Any idea which religions make people the most fulfilled, happy, and whole?

c.i. : MAZELTOV ! one of my favourite meals is a hearty german-style soup with chinese dumplings and matzo-balls : please give your considered opinion how i fit into the universe. when we went to a local chinese grocery to buy chinese dumplings and explained that they were to become part of a german meal, the chinese storekeeper-lady was quite intrigued and wanted to know the details. she approved of our mixing of different ethnic foods. SOF : last time i checked it was "inner peace" that gave happiness regardless of religion. what's your opinion, c.i. ? hbg

That's like saying if I wear black shoes I will become rich, because of a survey taken reporting the wealthiest people wear black shoes.

hbg, My religion is treat all humans with respect and dignity. I think I understand the difference between good and bad, and don't need any religious teachings to make me think there is any life after death for believing in any gods. What we get is what we see, and how we live our life is what ultimately counts. Learn to laugh frequently for good health.

c.i. : i'm ready to worship with you anytime ! hbg here is a german saying : LACHEN IST GESUND ! TO LAUGH IS HEALTHY !

This reminds me..forgive me, do....of the story of the time when Marilyn Monroe started seeing Arthur Miller, and the famous jewish playwright took his new squeeze home to meet momma, where during the evening she was served a traditional meal, including of course matzo balls.

Marilyn: "These are delicious, Mrs Miller. Tell me, what do you do with the rest of the matzo?"