Religion = Happiness?

I have heard about that study and I completly disagree. I was raised a Christian. Around the age of 12 or 13 I began questioning some aspects of the religion. Whenever I would ask other people about the questions I had, they would look at me like I was crazy, find a reason to leave, and then avoid me. I was also raised to do what I felt in my heart was the right thing to do. So, I stopped going to the church I had been attending because it all just sounded like a bunch of nonsense to me. At the age of 16, I finally told my mom that I did not believe in God. Thankfully I am lucky enough to have a mom who does not force her beliefs on my just because she thinks I am wrong. However, pretty much the rest of my entire family is very unaccepting on those who believe like me so I have still not "came out" to them. Anyways, my point is, until I stopped trying to believe in a religion that everyone around me did, I was VERY unhappy. I finally accepted myself. I do not need something to blame the bad things on or give credit to the good in my life. I believe in living the best way that I can, doing as little harm that I can, and respecting others regardless of what they believe. Most importantly, I'm following my heart, with a little help of my head. I have never been happier either!

I say that religion is not completely equivalent to happiness. Although yes, some people may have found gladness through faith, but of course this doesn't work for some people especially for non-believers. Religion got a bad track record, that's because of some of its corrupted followers. Religion itself has nothing to do with it.