Peer-reviewed medical literature has shown the practice of religion in historically Christian countries enhances wellbeing. Specifically, Teleios Research has previously demonstrated the more a person practices Christianity the better their wellbeing (https://teleiosresearch.com/research/publications/).
In this current study Teleios evaluated the practice of Christianity, as well as beliefs in the basic tenets of this religion, to determine if differences existed between major denominational groups.
This study included an analysis of Teleios’ database of 14,276 participants from surveys conducted via two Christian Instagram accounts over 4 years. The following denominations were included: Eastern Orthodox, n=143 (1%); non-denominational, n=4277 (30%); Pentecostal, n=2281 (16%); Protestant, n=3435 (24%); and Roman Catholic, n=1896 (13%). Teleios excluded non-Christian participants, denominations outside the five above and those unidentified, n=2244 (16%). In total, 8849 (62%) participants were from the United States and 5427 (38%) were from outside the United States.
Wellbeing was graded on a scale between 0 and 6 with 6 being the best score. A modified Bonferroni correction was used because of multiple questions asked to adjust the significance of the P-value to P <0.01 (α/5). This study found no statistical difference in wellbeing between denominations (P=0.09).
Statistical differences were found in adherence between denomination groups for those: agreeing they were saved by grace (range: 57-77%); secure in their salvation (13-21%); most adherent to church attendance (36-67%); and most adherent to Bible study (44-58%; P<0.001). For each question the Protestant group had the highest level of adherence to Christian practices and to biblical knowledge except salvation by grace, which was highest among Pentecostals.
In contrast, no differences were found among groups in the Christian practice of: prayer (63-71%); praise (54-68%); teaching others (10-26%); fellowship (46-65%); and sharing the gospel (10-20%; P>0.05).
In general, for all questions Eastern Orthodox members tended to have the lowest level of adherence to Christian practice and biblical knowledge. However, non-denominational Christians reported the lowest level of church attendance.
Dr. William C. Stewart, co-founder of Teleios, Inc., commented “We were surprised that the group we suspected to have the best adherence to Christian practice and knowledge, the non-denominational group, was not proven in our analysis. In contrast, the best adherence was found in the mainline denominational participants. Nonetheless, differences between groups, even when statistical significance was found, was not very different, typically ranging between 10 to 20%. The statistical differences probably occurred because of the large sample sizes.”
“Our study indicates that adherent Christians exist in all denominations worldwide and assumptions of the practices of faith based on denominational titles may not always hold true. God has His people everywhere. Nonetheless, this study did not examine the quality of adherence to Christian practice which might differ between denominations. More research is needed to clarify these findings.”
In summary, Teleios Research showed no differences between major Christian denominations in wellbeing and variable differences in Christian practice. Further, in general, responses in adherence were close regarding absolute percentages among denomination groups even when statistical differences were found.
WC Stewart, A Brogan, JA Stewart, LA Nelson