Having faith can make you happy!

Scientists are suggesting that people with religious beliefs are likely to be happier than atheists or agnostics.

They say research suggests religion can act as an "insurance policy" against the adversities of life and regular churchgoers appear to be better able to cope with events such as divorce or unemployment.

This is not the first research to suggest links between religion and happiness and many psychologists say a belief or its observance, offers benefits.

For the study the researchers from the Paris School of Economics examined data from household surveys across Europe in order to analyse the attitudes of Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, not only to their own happiness, but also to issues such as unemployment.

They apparently found higher levels of "life satisfaction" in believers but the degree to which religion provided a stress buffer varied according to the life event and religious denomination.

The researchers say the idea of religious belief as a "fortress" is not new, but has in the past received only limited attention.

The study authors Professor Andrew Clark from the Paris School of Economics and Dr. Orsolya Lelkes from the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, also found strong faith led to different political attitudes and the religious were less supportive of unemployment benefits.

It was also found that attending church and praying were also associated with greater satisfaction and that religion can even influence the evolution of social and economic institutions.

Experts suggest that the benefit might come from the increased "purpose of life" felt by believers and say the findings are consistent with other studies which suggest that religion does have a positive effect.

The research was presented at the Royal Economic Society's annual conference-in Coventry.