By Scott Black Johnston,
Are you happy? What makes you happy? Is feeling happy the most important thing a person can feel? This past week, I have been thinking about happiness. I have been carrying around two books on the subject. The first is The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. Haidt traces our understanding of happiness through different cultures and down through human history. It is a complicated and fascinating journey.
Along the way, Haidt digs into some pretty interesting psychological research. In one such study, Haidt describes a case in which people were offered $100 with the instruction that they were “to go and do something that would make them happy.” Most of the people in the study bought an item for themselves—a purse, a bottle of wine, a golf club. The study checked back with these same people a few weeks later. “Did your purchase,” they were asked, “increase your overall happiness?” Most of them replied, “No, not really.” On the other hand, some of the initial respondents used their hundred bucks to buy an experience—a ticket to the theater, an afternoon at a sporting event with a friend, a bike trip through a nearby countryside. A few weeks later, these “experience” people were asked the same question, “Did the event on which you spent your money increase your overall happiness.” More often than not, the answer was, “Yes, it did, and the effects are still with me.” It is strange, Haidt concludes, that we keep trying to purchase things to make us happy when our happiness is most often influenced by our experiences.
The other book I have been reading is Bright-Sided: How The Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich. A frequent commentator on American culture, Ehrenreich contends that the influence of “positive thinking” is corroding our country’s good sense. While I don’t agree with all of her conclusions, I find Ehrenreich’s questions to be quite compelling. Does the exuberance of “positive thinking” facilitate the painful “boom and bust” cycles that afflict our economy? Does our interest in pursuing happiness crowd out our desire to pursue the truth? What about faith and positive thinking? Does religion exist to maximize our happiness? Does God promise believers happiness and prosperity?
What do you think? I look forward to your thoughts, because I am still working on Sunday’s message which is entitled, “Should This Sermon Make You Happy?”
See you in Worship,
Scott
Haiti Update:
To date, FAPC has raised $23,782 for Haitian Relief through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. In the past week, PDA delivered thousands of hygiene kits and blankets to the area around Leogane, Haiti. Medical supplies were also delivered to the Nursing School at Faculte des Sciences Infirmiere l’Universite Episcopale d’Haiti (FSIL)—a relief center. PDA engineers continue to focus on providing clean water and latrine construction. American Presbyterians have contributed over $409,000 to PDA efforts in Haiti. Together, we are making a difference.
To be a part of these relief efforts, drop a check by the church offices with “Haiti Relief” on the memo line, or to make a one-time donation go to the member page on our church website.
Commitment 2010 Update:
To date, we have received $1,960,490 in pledges for 2010 from 587 pledge units (individuals or families) to date. We need $339,510 more in pledges to meet our budget for 2010. This coming week we will be having a phone-a-thon to reach out to those who have not yet pledged. Please give our callers a little love! Please pledge today to sustain the vital programs of FAPC for the coming year.
To commit to this church and its work in the world, you can mail your pledge card to the church office or fill out an online pledge card at www.fapc.org. The Development Committee and the clergy encourage FAPC members to prayerfully consider tithing—giving 10% of their income to the mission of Jesus Christ in this place.
If you have any questions about how to donate to
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, please contact:
Bob DeLuke:
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or 212-247-0490.
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