Why do atheists make up a disproportionately small number of the prison population?

Question

Atheists make up around 10% of the U.S. population and they only make up around .21% of the prison population. While Christians make up around 78% of the U.S. population and make up about 83% of the prison population. Doesn't this refute the argument that atheists don't have morals?

http://holysmoke.org/icr-pri.htm

Only answer if you are going to give a real response and you are not going to tell me how stupid I am.

Answer 1

I DON'T think you're stupid, I think you're right to ask. They follow their own set of rules and beliefs; they choose what's right and wrong instead of having others choose for them even though I'm sure Christians can have their own interpretations of the religion. So when it's time to do something illegal or not they think for themselves. I find Atheists more aware of reality compared to people who think they are only here to get into heaven later. Religious people might really think that they can do whatever they want as long as they ask for forgiveness while Atheists probably worry about the consequences they could face now.

Answer 2

No, this doesn't refute your way of living which I couldn't care less but I saw a post where an atheist said that because He believe in God then He doesn't believe in sin theefore He can do want he wants.If some atheists (notice I said some) agree with him than atheists have a license to sin. We all know that the ones who are in prison the so called 83% became christians after the fact. I don't agree with the numbers.

+j+

Answer 3

I'd be careful about making too much of these numbers. There are motives for prisoners to lie about their faith, namely, participation in prison ministries looks good to parole boards. Plus, atheists tend to be smarter than average and are thus less likely to get caught in the first place (I made that part up, but I have faith it's true, so it must be).

Competing studies show a measurable drop in recitivism among those who do participate in such programs.

At best, all we can probably conclude is that atheists do not disproportionately commit crimes, or surely these numbers would be out of whack the other direction.

Answer 4

I believe that the number of atheists in prison is low because, once they are there, they do alot of thinking and reading.

Then, if they were an atheist, they probably turn to some form of religion while they are in.

Mainly, because they need some form of hope or belief to help them get through it all.

Do you know any atheists. I don't. But, I find it hard to believe that they have no morals, they just don't have the same beliefs in religions, gods and the hereafter, etc.

Answer 5

80% percent of the inmates who say they are christian say it because that's what there parents were. They don't give a rats behind about religion or the stupid questionnaire they fill out with the underpaid overworked social worker. Statistics are ridiculous.
Atheists tend to be deep thinkers.Deep thinkers don't go to jail.
prisoners are not known to think things through.
Your comparing apples and oranges and once again an argument against God using facts that have nothing at all to do with God but with the people who worship him.

Answer 6

That is because the Christian religion makes people feel guilty, and not good enough and it tears people's spirits down. Well, not all people obviously. But a lot of people's hearts will rebel against the fear and manipulation put on them by religion.

Now if they were taught the other story of the bible. The one that tells us that we are all one, we are all saved and no matter what we do we cannot be seperated from God - now that is freedom. And love. Religion teaches God loves you but if you don't believe or do this or follow this then, well too bad, I guess you won't be loved. Is that what we do as parents. NO!

You don't see me being nasty just because I know that I won't be punished for it when I die.

Answer 7

I do not think so. It just shows that more people pretend to be Christian than pretend to be Atheist. Most true Atheists I have known, took the time to think about their position and came up with a conclusion. Most people were raised with at Least some religious affiliation, and tend to call themselves Catholics, Lutherans, etc. no matter how far from the fold they may actually live.

Answer 8

Two possible reasons come to mind ... I'm sure there are more.

(1) They are less likely to go to prison.

(2) Inmates have a tendency to turn to religion ... perhaps due to the lack of self-worth and need for purpose prison can inflict upon a person ... perhaps due to the parole board favoring individuals who support Christianity and claim to be rehabilitated by God.

Answer 9

probably because the idea of there being a God can be a very comforting thought, and i can't think of a place where a person would need one more than in prison. I wonder if these percentages accurately represent the beliefs these people had before being incarcerated. plus i'm sure a lot of them try to persuade the parole board that they have found god and are fit to be released and blah blah blah...

Answer 10

You may have noticed that those statistics were a generalization; the majority of those listed under the title "Christian inmates" are not, in actuality, Christians. However, there are Christians in prison. This is partly because some people just CALL themselves Christians, and partly because some inmates are so burdened with guilt from their crimes that they turn to Jesus while IN prison.