Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Mar 25, 2011 at 8:01am
Headline in Time: Why Going to Church Can Make You Fat.
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Mar '11
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Finally, just the argument I needed to convert the world to atheism! All hail Lord Dawkins!
On a serious note, I have to say that's one thing I miss about going to church. It was always a great opportunity for some good eating.
I think people should lay off the obesity issue. There nothing amoral about liking a good meal. None of the overweight people I know are ignorant of the risks to their health.
Edited on Mar 25, 2011 at 8:09amJun '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Maybe it's the restless anxiety--more common in non-churchgoers?--that burns lots of calories.
Jul '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Why Felons Have A More Active Sex Life
May '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Oh, no, Abdiel. Did you read further? It says,
"Religious involvement is linked to many positive health outcomes, such as happiness, lower rates of smoking and alcohol use, and even a longer life."
We're going to miss you when you pick up smoking and drinking and die young. :-(
Edited on Mar 25, 2011 at 8:25amOct '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
The left wing war against LOGIC and common sense continues. The sad part is that the media elites and Democrat party hacks think they are sooooo much smarter than the rest of us.
May '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Why reading Time leads to dental procedures.
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Does this perhaps have anything to do with the much higher rates of church attendance in the most obese states? Notice that these states all have the most delicious (i.e. fattening) menus, that these states get blistering hot in the summer making it impossible to go outside, and that in many of these states places like Whole Foods are anathema.
Top 10 fattest states of 2010:
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Suggested Times headline: "Why Leaving Porch Light on at Night Can Protect Your Home from Tiger Attack"
Fifteen years and counting, and not even a tiger sighting chez Savage.
We feel very safe.
Jan '11
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
I'm gonna say a prayer and have s'more fried chicken.
May '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
My favorite example of this type of thinking: ice cream leads to violence. Afterall, both ice cream consumption and violent crime are more common in hot climates.
Diane Ellis, Ed.:
Top 10 fattest states of 2010:
I love the Gulf Coast. Southerners have a fine appreciation of porches, decks and rocking chairs.
Sep '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
I dunno. After just over 2 weeks of Lent, I'm down 6-7 pounds. Amazing what can happen when you cut out beer, cookies (and meat). :)
On the other hand, I've often reflected on how many clergy are obese or overweight. Fellowship, which is so important to a church community, often happens around food. Food is the lowest common denominator; it excludes the least number of people. Too bad we can't all socialize on a group bike ride every Sunday...
Aug '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
The study the article is about is longitudinal and presumably uses fixed effects or something like that so presumably it's a real effect rather than selectivity. The interesting question is the mechanism through which it works. They seem to be thinking it's bake sales or after-mass-donuts but I'm thinking it's just as likely that churchgoing makes you more secure in your social networks (especially but not limited to your marriage) and hence you "let yourself go."
Also worth noting that the chubby churchgoer effect notwithstanding, religious attendance has a pretty robust effect in improving health and happiness.
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
They explain things more than they realize when they note that church-goers tend not to smoke.
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Abdiel:
I think people should lay off the obesity issue. There nothing amoral about liking a good meal.
Edited on Mar 25 at 08:09 am
Actually, the Bible is pretty clear on gluttony.
Jul '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
All Times reading, if carried on long enough, ends in death.
Diane Ellis, Ed.: Does this perhaps have anything to do with the much higher rates of church attendance in the most obese states? Notice that these states all have the most delicious (i.e. fattening) menus, that these states get blistering hot in the summer making it impossible to go outside, and that in many of these states places like Whole Foods are anathema.
Top 10 fattest states of 2010: · Mar 25 at 8:43am
Time once again to eat to the honor of old Virginia! I'll get the twinkies while the kids crank up the deep fat fryer!
Aug '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Maybe it's a typo and they meant Churchs.
Our local Churchs is owned by an Afghani. Best dirty rice in town.
Time magazine is still in business ? Do you have to read it as part of your job ?
I think it's a matter of what church you go to as well. The basement of the Southern Baptist Church on Sunday is alot different than a reformed synagogue, but the food after a barmitzvah is to die for.
Growing up Presbyterian exposes one to blandness on an alarming scale. Eating in the church after services was pretty rare. But the wife's church has fried chicken, brisket, and pies and pies and pies. And pink and green jello molds.
Mar '11
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
The definitive statement on correlation and causation....
From XKCD, the same place as that amazing radiation chart.
Jul '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
There is definite variety among Presbyterians. My grandmother tended to bland, my grandfather was Mr. Gigaton Chili Guy! People lined up to die of his chili.
May '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
flownover: Maybe it's a typo and they meant Churchs.
Our local Churchs is owned by an Afghani. Best dirty rice in town.
Time magazine is still in business ? Do you have to read it as part of your job ?
I think it's a matter of what church you go to as well. The basement of the Southern Baptist Church on Sunday is alot different than a reformed synagogue, but the food after a barmitzvah is to die for.
Growing up Presbyterian exposes one to blandness on an alarming scale. Eating in the church after services was pretty rare. But the wife's church has fried chicken, brisket, and pies and pies and pies. And pink and green jello molds. · Mar 25 at 10:30am
What is your wife's faith? Fried chicken disqualifies her for Catholic. Now, if you said casserole and potato salad...
May '10
Re: Confusing Correlation With Causation Can Make You Fat
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
Abdiel:
I think people should lay off the obesity issue. There nothing amoral about liking a good meal.
Edited on Mar 25 at 08:09 am
Actually, the Bible is pretty clear on gluttony. · Mar 25 at 9:38am
Gluttony for food, not so much. Pretty much all of the bibical passages about "gluttony" really address gluttony for hooch. Dammit.