Changes

When atheist and [[secular left]]ist apologists cite various favorable economic and societal 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 (For example, what factors in their past best explain their current prosperity?).

When atheist and [[secular left]]ist apologists cite various favorable economic and societal 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 (For example, what factors in their past best explain their current prosperity?).

Next, since there is a significant amount of data indicating that religiosity is positively correlated to physical and mental health (see: [[Atheism and health]]) and [[Atheism and depression]] and [[Atheism and suicide]] and [[Atheism and alcoholism]] and [[Atheism and drug addiction]]). there is the issue of comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Namely, a legitimate question is: How much happier or less happier are the religious within irreligious countries that have significant Protestant populations, than the irreligious in those same countries or do they have the same degree of happiness?.

Next, since there is a significant amount of data indicating that religiosity is positively correlated to physical and mental health (see: [[Atheism and health]], [[Atheism and depression]], [[Atheism and suicide]], [[Atheism and alcoholism]], and [[Atheism and drug addiction]]). There is the issue of comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Namely, a legitimate question is: How much happier or less happier are the religious within irreligious countries that have significant Protestant populations, than the irreligious in those same countries or do they have the same degree of happiness?.

In short, well-designed studies which attempt to form solid conclusions use the principle of [[ceteris paribus]] (all other things remaining equal). This is done by choosing appropriate study participants and using statistical analysis to isolate variables related to the socioeconomic profiles of study participants ([[Generalized linear model]] analysis, etc.).

In short, well-designed studies which attempt to form solid conclusions use the principle of [[ceteris paribus]] (all other things remaining equal). This is done by choosing appropriate study participants and using statistical analysis to isolate variables related to the socioeconomic profiles of study participants ([[Generalized linear model]] analysis, etc.).