This is Carol Platley Bell for townhall.com. It's an age-old question. God or Mammon. What leads to a

happier, more fulfilling life, religion or money? Now it seems we have an answer. According to the

general social survey, church attendance predicts happiness more strongly than wealth does. In fact, poor Americans who

attend church regularly are happier than wealthy Americans who never attend at all. Prominent behavioral

scientist William von Hippel has observed, money buys a fair bit of happiness, but connection

gives you more bang for the buck. He's right, but let's be clear about what

connection really means. It matters to connect with friends and neighbors, and church offers

the opportunity to do that every week and often more. But more important still is our connection

to God, our father, our creator, and the source of every good and lasting bond.

I'm Carol Platt Lebo.