To what extent is Christianity responsible for the high rate of serious crime in the USA?

Question

Most Christians believe that all crime is equal in the eyes of god and equally capable of forgiveness, see, for example

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AslNFWHglBlM7uo_px8TCh_sy6IX?qid=20060813232338AA1GudK

Among developed countries, the USA has by far the highest levels of belief in Christianity and by far the highest rates of murder and other serious crimes; see for example,

http://www.slate.com/id/31364/

If it is not Christianity, what is it that makes America so crime-riddled?

Answer 1

Christians are proportionally represented in prison statistics. It's atheists you should be asking about. They are significantly UNDERrepresnted. Here's a list of religions, listed as a percentage of the US federal prison population (1997):

The Federal Bureau of Prisons does have statistics on religious affiliations of inmates. The following are total number of inmates per religion category:

Response %
---------------------------- --------
Catholic    39.164%
Protestant    35.008%
Muslim    7.273%
American Indian    3.222%
Nation    2.320%
Rasta    1.987%
Jewish     1.773%
Church of Christ     1.744%
Pentecostal     1.463%
Moorish     1.426%
Buddhis     1.180%
Jehovah Witness     0.890%
Adventist     0.831%
Orthodox     0.502%
Mormon     0.399%
Scientology     0.254%
ATHEIST     0.209%
Hindu     0.159%
Santeria     0.157%
Sikh     0.019%
Bahai     0.012%
Krishna     0.009%

Note that the Judeo-Christian Total works out to 83.761%. Not an unexpected result.

Note that ATHEISTS, being a moderate proportion of the USA population (about 8 - 16%) are disproportionately LESS in the prison populations (0.21%).

Pretty odd result, for a group that has no god-given guiding moral principals, huh?

Answer 2

The problem with crime in the US has many sources. Poverty, lack of opportunity, failure to take opportunities provided, a sense of entitlement, etc. To say that there is a causal link between Christianity high crime is like saying there is a causal link between the barometric pressure and the price of porkbellys, even though there is an observed correlation between the two.

Even though Christians believe in forgiveness, the do not believe in free license. We are to forgive others of their sins against us, but that does not mean they, we, or anyone can escape the consequences of sin. If you steal from me, I'll forgive you for it, but the government will still throw you in jail and rightly so.

Let me ask this, Christians believe that we are subject to the authorities that are in power over us (see Romans 13). They further believe that it is wrong to steal, kill, etc. Several places the Bible tells Christians to abide by the law and to struggle against sin, such as the sin of murder, stealing, and so forth. With a faith system that abhors the actions being performed (ie- crime) and instructs its devoted to refrain from this activity, how can it be said that Christianity is a cause?

Answer 3

I don't believe all crimes are equal in the site of God, but I don't think it's fair to blame a religion that teaches people to love their neighbor, and treat others as they would be treated for the crime rate.

I know Christians do commit crimes, but I seriously doubt it's because they are applying the teachings they learned in church, it's more like they do it, in spite of what they learned in church.

Oh, to answer your crime question - um most studies have linked criminal behavior with broken homes.

Answer 4

these western countries were founded upon christian ideals. just because some people go against those ideals does not make the country responsible for those peoples actions. christianity is not responsible for any violence in the world, mans own actions are. many people have done things in the name of a religion that do not reflect that religion's teachings. as christians, we are taught to respect all mankind but condemn the actions that are harmful to mankind. we love the sinner, but not the sin.

Answer 5

It is mans` vanity & free will that has allowed man to think he is superior and not in need of God !! He does not have to obey Gods` commands , or follow His teachings.. If anything is Christanity `s fault , it is the fact that Christians don`t stand up for Jesus . Christians have stood by and watched Prayer be taken out of schools , Murder babies in the womb by abortion , Any Religious activity has been vanished from daily lives , Allowed themselves to be made fun of and not fight back with the Biblical weapons the Bible provides , Watched silently as 3rd & 4th graders` are being taught sex education in the classroom , Stood on the sidelines and witnessed queers and lesbians gain acceptance as a lifestyle , which is against Gods` natural law , Parents turn their heads while Christmas is now called " the holiday season " , Christians continue to support hollywood by going to movies , regardless of the content , Christians are allowing the world into their lives with no concern of the outcome , Parents with no close eye on what their children are doing , Christians not following The 10 Commandments as instructed , Removing God from everyday life is why this nation is in the state of confusion it is in today !! Without the Biblical principles to live your life by , this what you are going to get , you reap what you sow !! If you plant bad seeds you will have no crops !! If you have no moral foundation , then you have chaos !! So as much as man would love to blame all the problems of the world on Christians & God , it is the free will of man that is the problem , it is out of control and man cannot accept the fact that it is mans` fault ! !! If man has taken God out of every aspect of his way of life , and man is doing what he wants to without any discipline or guilt for his wrongs , then there is no way man can blame God for any thing !! If God is not in mans` life and man doesn`t believe in God , then God is not at fault , man and his free will are !!! Man has no responsibility for his actions !!! ........... Colossians 3 : 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed , do all in the name of the Lord Jesus , giving thanks to God and the Father by him..

Answer 6

It could be our general mistrust of one another, the fact that we live in fear of one another, and the fact that it's okay to own gusn at the same time as the first two points.

The USA might profess to have the highest level of "Christians" but they act the least like Christ followers. They are one of the wealthiest countries and the least likely to help their fellow man.

Answer 7

Run a stat check comparing the behavior of students across the USA before & after God suppression existed.

Answer 8

"If it is not Christianity, what is it that makes America so crime-riddled?"{


The answer is religion. Im not an athiest but when you think about it the world would be a much better place without religion

Answer 9

Just like a criminal to blame all of his/her faults on God and Christians. What's wrong with laying the blame at the feet of those committing the crime? Is it just easier to pass the buck?

Answer 10

Satan. If it wasn't for we Christians, it would be a lot worse. Frankly, I wish I'd been born in England.