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When atheist apologists cite various favorable economic statistics of irreligious countries which formerly had a strong presence of Protestantism (typically in Northern Europe), they generally do not mention the issue of the effects of cultural legacies.

When atheist apologists cite various favorable economic statistics of irreligious countries which formerly had a strong presence of Protestantism (typically in Northern Europe), they generally do not mention the issue of the effects of cultural legacies.

Secondly, since there is a significant amount of data indicating that religiosity is positively correlated to physical and mental health (see: [[Atheism and health]]). there is the issue of comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Namely, a legitimate question is how much happier are the religious within irreligious countries that have significant Protestant populations, than the irreligious in those same countries.

Secondly, since there is a significant amount of data indicating that religiosity is positively correlated to physical and mental health (see: [[Atheism and health]]). there is the issue of comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Namely, a legitimate question is how much happier are the religious within irreligious countries that have significant Protestant populations, than the irreligious in those same countries.

 

In short, well-designed studies which attempt to form solid conclusions use the principle of [[ceteris paribus]] (all other things remaining equal). The do this by using statistical analysis to isolate variables related to the socioeconomic components of study.

== Notes ==

== Notes ==