Why do you think the United States has the highest incarceration rate of all countries in the world?

Question

It also has the highest crime rates of all developed countries, and close to the highest rates of racism and homophobia ? Think about it for a minute. If Christianity really did make people better, shouldn't the United States be a country full of moral, upright people ?

Answer 1

Because we have Entitlement Syndrome. Everyone who was born in the US and is in prison falls (mostly) into one of two categories: (1) Mom and Dad spoiled them and told them that they were special and wonderful, without pointing out that every other person on the planet is equally special and wonderful. (2) They were born to disadvantageous circumstances, so something is OWED them, and they feel they can get it through criminal activity. (People who witnessed their parents' involvement in illegal activity generally fall into this category.)

I think it's very, very interesting that of the countries in existence today, ours is the only one that was founded by conservative religious people who were persecuted and fleeing that persecution.... and here we are, as you say, at the bottom of the heap in matters of crime, etc. On the other hand, Australia, which was founded by convicts*, has less crime, etc.

*I starred convicts there because of the nature of the British law system that transported most of those people. The burden of proof, in those days, was with the accused, rather than the accuser. Therefore, many of the Australian "convicts" may NOT have been, in fact, criminals. They may have simply been unable to prove that they DIDN'T steal the watch. =)

Answer 2

Christianity will only "make people better" if all people would allow themselves to be made better. Unfortunately, this is not the case. You know as well as I do that crime occurs regardless of the presence of good, moral people (regardless of religion or lack thereof). To claim this is proof Christianity doesn't work is invalid.

Complicating the issue is the fact that many Americans calling themselves Christians are not true Christians. This is evidenced by their repeated immoral behavior.

I believe America is the most violent, immoral Nation in the world because its people have been lead to believe that the rights of individuals matter more than the rights of others; Christianity has nothing to do with it.

Take, for instance, the gun controversy. The Constitution reads the MILITIA has the right to bear arms; but because some of us believe it is their own personal right to "bear arms," we will NEVER sucessfully ban handguns and rifles, as other countries do. Couple the "right" to bear arms with a Nation of chronically angry, selfish folks and ... you get the picture.

Racism is the same way. Some selfishly believe OUR existance is better than someone else's; this gives some the "right" to excercise their "free speech" and march in Neo-Nazi parades. Again, too much "freedom," not enough folks who are willing and able to stand up to these misguided folks.

Peace and love in Jesus.

Answer 3

How about because we have a more efficient way of keeping record of it all and a better criminal justice system to catch all of the bad guys to begin with. You honestly believe that the US has that much more crime per capita than any other nation in the world? Are you that naive? Other nations have such corrupt forms of a justice system that likker, drug lords and the like are allowed to freely walk about because they own the police and the courts. Things they do never get reported out of fear. I'm not saying that these things don't happen in the US too, but not to the extent of other countries.

Answer 4

I depends on how you look at it....... we take crime seriously here. We actually punish criminals. We do not celebrate them as national heros like in terrorist countries. Also, we recognize the difference between good and evil so we have a better definition of crime than maybe others. This makes for stricter laws.

Just because a country is "developed," does not make it moral. There are godless countries where immorality is permitted. At least here, we try to counteract it.

Answer 5

first off Christianity never has made people better, Christianity has killed a 100 times more people than it has helped; imagine it even killed Jesus son of God. to Christians you either join them or die and go to hell. tell you the truth I'd much rather be in hell than stuck with does anal retentive A$$Holes. As far as crime and incarceration I take it you haven't traveled outside the US. In most other countries they just don't brag about it, and a good 30% of people in prison in other countries don't even know what their charged for. oh yeah if your lucky you'll get to go to jail in most case you'll get shot first. and about the homophobia tell that to the fugepacking priest.

Answer 6

Good question.
It's because so many men are in jail on marijana possesions and other minor stuff. We look at drugs and drug users like some people in the middle east look at infidels.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, people choose how they want to live their lives.

Answer 8

Gun laws and crooked, corrupt politicians.