Sunday, 23 March 2014
The benefits of religion for black Americans
Black Americans are significantly more religious than white Americans. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reported in 2009 that 79% of black Americans say religion is very important in their lives compared with only 56% of all Americans. Over three quarters of blacks (76%) say they pray every day versus 58% of all Americans.
And a whopping 88% of black Americans say they are absolutely certain god exists (71% for all Americans).
But does being more devout and more prayerful give Black Americans any advantages over their white countrymen? No, on the contrary, across a wide range of well-being statistics, blacks fare far worse than white Americans.
Here are some sample statistics but plenty more are available.
1. Life expectancy at birth
Whites........ 78.4 years
Blacks......... 73.6 years
2. Neonatal mortality (death of a baby within 28 days of birth)
Whites........ 3.8 per 1,000 live births
Blacks......... 8.9 per 1,000 live births
3. Fetal mortality (miscarriage after 20 weeks gestation)
Whites........ 4.79 per 1,000 women
Blacks......... 11.13 per 1,000 women
4. Maternal mortality (death of pregnant mothers per 100,000 live births)
Whites........ 8.7
Blacks......... 30.5
5. Unemployment (age 16 – 65)
Whites........ 9.6%
Blacks......... 18.4%
6. Income (% of families with income of < $15,000pa)
Whites........ 6.6%
Blacks......... 23.9%
This small sample of well-being statistics shows black people significantly disadvantaged compared to whites.
So does prayer and devotion to God help black people? Apparently not. Either there is no god listening to these heartfelt prayers or God does not care to help black people in America.
Sources
1. CDC National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 59, Number 9
2. CDC National Center for Health Statistics 2003
3. CDC National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 57, Number 8
4. Maternal mortality and related concepts. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 3(33). 2007
5. US Dept of Labor Statistics 2010
6. U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009
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- Nildogma
- As a 20-year-old I was insatiably curious about the world and passionate about rejecting superstitions and all kinds of false beliefs. I still am today. Sometimes when people believe things that are not true, it make little or no difference but sometimes the consequences can be disastrous and deadly. Now, I do what I can to help people improve their thinking skills, especially in how they impinge on core beliefs, such as cultural values and religious beliefs. I have an active Facebook page for which I create memes and write articles almost daily. I also engage people in on-line debates. You can find me here: https://www.facebook.com/bill.flavell.1 I lecture at universities around the world and present or debate at public meetings. I also, draw on my management consultancy background to help freethought groups, almost anywhere in the world, to get organised, develop strategy and improve their media and presentation skills. If you would like me to present at your university or for your church group or freethought group, please contact me.
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