Belief that God and community have one’s back builds lifelong resiliency

Evidence

My church succeeded in generating a culture of protection for most of us in our white, working-class corner of southwest Jackson. One of the earliest Bible verses I was urged to memorize—and I can still quote it by heart, including chapter and verse—was Romans 8:28: “For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and to those who are called according to his purposes.” And for most of my childhood and youth, this promise was a source of great comfort to me. I heard it cited in general conversations during lean economic times, preached at funerals, and my fellow teenagers and I certainly leaned on it after painful romantic breakups or when our adolescent hopes were dashed by parents or other powers beyond our control. I still believe there is something beautiful, admirable, and healthy here. This sensibility—that both God and the community had our backs—instilled in me a resiliency that has stayed with me throughout my adult life. — Robert P. Jones, White Too Long, 216

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Church communities supplied working-class members social capital and life skills — Robert P. Jones, White Too Long: The Legacy of White…, 214; Religious rituals maintain identity and build lasting community support networks — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 892; Religious involvement correlates with improved health, longevity, and prosocial behavior — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 887

Broader Connections

• Religious rituals maintain identity and build lasting community support networks #corroborates (0.88) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 892
• Religious involvement correlates with improved health, longevity, and prosocial behavior #corroborates (0.82) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 887