Over at LiveScience, Stephanie Pappas reports on a study which shows that while religious people generally are more satisfied with their lives, this satisfaction is linked to the social networking and circles of friends that many develop as a result of participating in religious activities.  The satisfaction does not appear to be linked in any significant way to feelings of transcendence or “spiritual” comfort.  It appears to be a matter of friends, not theological succor.

Given the massive popularity of Facebook and friending, this should come as no surprise.  Humans, like nearly all primates, are intensely social.