The Catholic Advantage Quotes

“When Frederick became ill, near death, he was asked by his wife, Amélie, to reflect on his life. “Which of God’s gifts, Frederick, do you think is to be prized the most?” “Peace of heart,” he answered. “Without peace of heart we may possess everything else, yet be unhappy. With it, we can bear the most difficult trials, and the approach of death.” After receiving his last sacrament, he expressed his confidence in the Lord. “Why should I fear Him, when I love Him so!”76 Today Frederick’s contribution is known the world over in the yeoman work done by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“The saints suffered many hardships as well, and many were psychologically challenged, but they had something to fall back on—Jesus Christ. He is there for others as well, but no one is obliged to accept his hand. For intellectuals, the thought of doing so is not just bizarre, it is scary: to reach out to God would be to acknowledge their subordinate status, and that is not something their ego will allow. Surrendering to God is not in their cards. So they suffer.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“Why would we need suffering to unleash love? At first glance, it may sound bizarre. John Paul offers good counsel when he asks us to consider the story of the Good Samaritan. Let’s begin with something no Catholic will deny: We have a Christian obligation to help those in need. So what stops us from doing so? Ultimately, it comes down to selfishness. Why get involved? It’s none of my business. There are many familiar excuses. But when the shoe is on the other foot, when we are in need, we seek help from those who are willing to give of themselves selflessly. And who are these people? So often, it is those who themselves have endured great suffering; they’ve been there before.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“WHILE CATHOLICS, AND THOSE WHO are religious, enjoy an edge over secularists in attaining health and happiness, they are no less prone to adversity. What happens when they are ill? How do they handle unhappiness? When events turn south, how do they bounce back? Pain and suffering are bound to come their way, so what then? Is there anything their religion offers that gives them hope? Yes. Even in times of trial, there is a Catholic advantage over secularists. The scientific literature is clear: those who are religiously engaged are better able to cope, to adapt, to evince hope, and to maintain an optimistic outlook.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“Why does religion work as a coping mechanism? Dr. Koenig offers five reasons: it provides a sense of meaning and purpose during times of trial; it offers a positive worldview that is optimistic and hopeful; it provides role models and teachings that facilitate the acceptance of suffering; it gives people a sense of self-control; and it reduces loneliness.9 One does not have to have a Ph.D. in psychiatry to understand that atheists are at a decided disadvantage in times of stress. They simply do not have access to the resources that Dr. Koenig details. “Our Hearts Are Restless Until They Rest in You.” This famous line from St. Augustine captures the essence of Catholicism: our real home is with God.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“Data on children, in particular, show the auspicious results of religion on their well-being. According to sociologist John Bartkowski, professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the children of parents who regularly attend religious services exhibit better self-control, social skills, and approaches to learning. He found that religious networks allow moms and dads to improve their parenting skills; the social support they find from other religious parents helps to bolster their efforts. The values that inhere in religious congregations, such as self-sacrifice, also help. And, of course, religious communities imbue parenting with sacred meaning and significance. When asked about these findings, another sociologist, W. Bradford Wilcox of the University of Virginia, put it succinctly when he said that at least for religious parents, “getting their kids into heaven is more important than getting their kids into Harvard.”58 Amen. More recently, Baylor sociologist Rodney Stark found that religious Americans, when compared to secularists, are more likely to marry and stay married; less likely to cheat on their spouse; less likely to abuse their spouse or children; and more likely to be successful in their career. Their average life expectancy is more than seven years longer, and their children are more likely to do well in school. Furthermore, 40 percent of those who attend church weekly report they are “very happy,” as compared to 25 percent of those who never attend church.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“Researchers at Yale and Rutgers who studied 2,912 senior citizens over a twelve-year period found that monthly attendance at church services resulted in better mental health. Even those churchgoers who were chronically ill fared better than those who were not religious; they showed “increased feelings of optimism … and fewer symptoms of depression.” Regarding physical health, Duke University Medical Center released a study of more than 1,700 senior citizens in North Carolina that showed a clear relationship between church attendance and good health.23”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“We have known for some time that weekly church attendance keeps people healthy; on average, it adds two or three years to one’s life,” says anthropologist T. M. Luhrmann. So what’s the connection? “Religious observance boosts the immune system and decreases blood pressure,” she notes.”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index measured the following conditions: overall life evaluation, emotional health, physical health, healthy behaviors, work environment, and access to basic well-being necessities. More than 676,000 interviews were conducted in 2010 and 2011, and the results surprised none of the experts: Americans who are the most religious scored the highest on the well-being scale.19”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

“One of the more fascinating developments of this attempt by atheists to hijack the practices of Christianity, without adopting its beliefs, is the realization on the part of atheist parents that they have shortchanged their children. Their kids are psychologically dialed on empty, and their parents know it. Thus it is the parents of college-bound guys and gals who are pushing for atheist services and secular chaplains in many colleges and universities. Rutgers, American, and Carnegie Mellon were among the first to establish such programs. The fact that 12 percent of Americans who say they don’t believe in God admit to praying—6 percent of self-identified atheists pray—is yet another indication that atheism fails to satisfy.17 Pete Sill, a former Catholic turned atheist, believes the number of atheists who pray is higher than 6 percent. “I think prayer is important because it takes your mind away from the horrible aspects of everyday life,” he says.18”
― Bill Donohue, The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful