Is church a stairway to heaven or hell?

Churches are good for the health of Christians but are less therapeutic for atheists. This is a key finding of a recent study by Professor Alex Haslam of The University of Queensland School of Psychology and colleagues at Carleton University, Canada, and the University of Exeter, UK. "We looked at Christians' and atheists' self-esteem and self-reported physical health when immersed in a cathedral rather than in other environments," Professor Haslam said. "Christians reported better health when immersed in the cathedral, while atheists reported better health when disengaged from a religious place. "The results suggest that immersion in space that reflects one's own religious beliefs and identity has positive consequences for health and well-being." The research consisted of two investigations, the first involving 97 participants at three locations in Exeter - a cathedral, a castle, and a shopping centre. Participants were asked to respond to statements such as 'I am pleased with my appearance right now' and 'I am worried about what other people think of me'. Researchers also collected demographic information about participants, including their religion, but this was not an obvious focus of the questionnaire.