Religion and Crime: Is There a Correlation?

Heave, Hell and Crime Rates:

IS THERE A CORRELATION?

With secularism on the rise in the U.S., Several studies for and against religion have flooded the airwaves.

Some people say that an unaffiliated person would be more likely to commit a crime (as they lack moral judgement that religion provides) while others counter that a religious person is more likely to commit a crime due to religious zeal.

THE STATE OF RELGION VS. NONES

Biblically, people who do not believe in God are "Corrupt" and the doers of "abominable deeds"
(Psalm 14)

There's also a historical stigma attached to lack of religious affiliation, but that appears to be dying down.

It may seem reasonable to conclude that religious people are more morally inclined. therefore less likely to commit a crime.

According to a recent Pew Research Center Roll. being without a religion (or a 'none') is on the rise: (1)

20%
of the U.S. public is religiously unaffiliated

1 in 3
adults under 30 are religiously unaffiliated.
6%
In stark contrast, only 6% of people 65+ are unaffiliated.

88%
of those without religion stated they were not looking for a religion.

In a massive paper, Phil Zuckerman discussed 9 and 1/2 pages of studies, surveys, and polls on how religion, atheism, and secularism affect society. (2)

The paper is called: "Atheism, Secularity, and well-Being: How the Findings of Social Science counter Negative stereotype and Assumptions".

He concluded that if anything, atheism and secularity affect society in a much more positive way than religion.

BUT REALLY (SAYS A STUDY), IT'S NOT ABOUT RELIGION.

It's about the king of God people believe in, A crecent, comprehensive study of more than
143,000 people in 67 countries
suggests that believing in a forgiving God accounts for more violent crime than an unforgiving God. (3)

A higher national crime rate can be predicted for a nation that has a stronger belief in heaven than it does in hell.

The study itself labels its findings correlative, but the patterns of results - lower and higher rates of crime based on a belief in heaven or hell - may be causal.
34234234

BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING...

Does religion contribute to a less peaceful culture in the US?

Most religious States:(4)

Utah 57%
Oklahoma 48%
Arkansas 54%
Tennessee 52%
Georgia 48%
Louisiana 54%
North Carolina 50%
South Carolina 54%
Mississippi 59%
Alabama 56%

Least Religious States(4)
Maine 25%
New Hampshire 23%
Vermont 23%
Massachusetts 28%
Rhode Island 32%
Connecticut 31%
New York 32%
District of Columbia 32%
Washington 30%
Oregon 30%
Nevada 30%
Alaska 28%

If theory holds, less religious affiliation would mean more peace.

13 Most 10 Least
Peaceful States (5) Peaceful States (5)
Maine Louisiana
New Harmpshire Tennessee
Vermont Nevada
Minnesota Florida
North Dakota Alabama
Utah Texas
Massachusetts Arkansas
Rhode Island Oklahoma
Iowa South Carolina
Washington Maryland

Of these, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. Massachusetts, Rhode Island.and Washington fall int the model: less religious, more peaceful.

Of these, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina. Tennessee, and Oklahoma fall into the model: more religious, less peaceful.

Bit Utah, which has the second highest percentage of very religious Americans, is more peaceful as well.

But Nevada, which has a low percentage of very religious Americans, is one of the least peaceful states. Heaven, Hell and Crime Rates: IS THERE A CORRELATION? With secularism on the rise in the U.S., several studies for and against religion have flooded the airwaves. Some people say that an unaffiliated person would be more likely to commit a crime (as they lack moral judgement that religion provides) while others counter that a religious person is more likely to commit a crime due to religious zeal. THE STATE OF RELIGION VS. NONES Biblically, people who do not believe in God are "corrupt" and the doers of "abominable deeds" (Psalm 14). * It may seem reasonable to conclude that religious people are more morally inclined, therefore less There's also a historical stigma attached to lack of religious affiliation, but that appears to be dying down. likely to commit a crime. According to a recent Pew Research Center Roll, being without a religion (or a 'none') is on the rise: 1) 6% 88% 20% In stark of those without religion stated they were not looking for a religion. 1 in 3 of the U.S. public is religiously unaffiliated contrast, adults under only 6% of people 65+ 30 are religiously unaffiliated. are unaffiliated. In a massive paper, Phil Zuckerman discussed 9 and 1/2 pages of studies, surveys, and polls on how religion, atheism, and secularism affect society. 121 The paper is called: "Atheism, Secularity, and Well-Being: How the Findings of Social Science Counter Negative Stereotypes and Assumptions." He concluded that, if anything, atheism and secularity affect society in a much more positive way than religion. BUT REALLY (SAYS A STUDY), IT'S NOT ABOUT RELIGION. It's about the kind of God people suggests that believing in a forgiving God accounts for more violent crime than an 143,000 believe in. A recent, comprehensive study of more than people in 67 countries unforgiving God. [3] 2lll lllel A higher national crime rate can be predicted for a nation that has a stronger belief in heaven than it does in hell. The study itself labels its findings correlative, but the patterns of results- lower and higher rates of crime based on a belief in heaven or hell- may be causal. 34234234 llle ll e BUT YOU RE PROBABLY WONDERING. Does religion contribute to a less peaceful culture in the US? Most Religious States: (4) Utah 57% Tennesse North Carolina 52% Georgia 48% Oklahoma 48% Arkansas 50% South Carolina Louisiana 54 54% Missisippi 59% Alabama 56% Maine New Least Religious States: (4) 25% Hampshire Vermont 23% Washington 30% 23% Massachusetts Oregon 30% 28% Rhode Island Nevada 32% 30% Conneticut 31% New York 32% District Alaska of Columbia 28% 32% If the theory holds, less religious affiliation would mean more peace. 10 Most Peaceful States*: (5) 10 Least Peaceful States*: I5I Maine Louisiana New Hampshire Tennessee Vermont K Minnesota Nevada Florida North Dakota Alabama Utah Техas Massachusetts Arkansas Rhode Island Oklahoma lowa South Carolina Washington Maryland * Of these, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Washington fall into the model: less religious, more peaceful. * Of these, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma fall into the model: more religious, less peaceful. * But Utah, which has the second highest percentage of very religious Americans, is more peaceful as well. * But Nevada, which has a low percentage of very religious Americans, is one of the least peaceful states. *based on the Institute of Economics and Peace Index for the U.S. in 2011. HERE'S THE THING: There certainly seems to be a correlation between religious affiliation and the volume of violent crimes. For the most part, more religion seems to produce a negative effect. But remember: correlation is not necessarily causation. There are many other variables, including poverty and education levels, that affect the crime rate. el Brought to you by : Itotal criminal defense SOURCES: (1] http://www.pewforum.org/Unaffiliated/nones-on-the-rise.aspx [2] http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Zuckerman_on Atheism.pdf [3] http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0039048 (4] http.//www.gallup.com/poll/153479/Mississippi-Religious-State.aspx#1 (S] http://www.visionofhumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/U.S.-Peace-Index-2011-3.pdf