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