Doing, Not Just Believing, Is Important, Too

Going up for Communion in person.

Northeastern psychology professor David DeSteno ("How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion”) says that ethical behavior is not dependent on theology as much as regular attendance: [bold added]

when it comes to morality, the power of religion is more in the doing than in the believing. Studies of religion and health show that identifying with a religion—saying you believe in God or going to worship once a year on Easter or Yom Kippur—means very little. Epidemiological research shows that it is people who live their faith, regularly going to services and engaging in their religion’s rituals, who tend to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

...doing religion helps. During a moment of temptation, belief that God is watching you is difficult to ignore when you’ve been regularly reminded of this fact through prayers and rituals. That’s why people who believe in God often work harder to resist temptation the more they practice their faith.

I am acquainted with people who describe themselves as "religious" but eschew Sunday worship because they purportedly are turned off by organized religion. The science of psychology suggests that group worship does have benefits that can improve individuals' ethical behavior and spirit of charity.

It seems that there is no harm and much to gain by visiting the local churches, synagogues, or temples for a little while to test Dr. DeSteno's hypothesis, but that's just me.