WWJD: Secular Americans More Moral than Christian Americans?

Question

What would explain this? Do similar differences exist elsewhere in
the world or is it unique to America?

According to a survey posted on the National Catholic Reporter,
here are the percentages of people who say that torture is never justified:

26% Catholics
31% White Protestant
31% White evangelical
41% Secular
32% Overall Population

Here are the numbers who think that torture is often justified:

21% Catholics
15% White Protestant
13% White evangelical
10% Secular
15% Overall Population

Perhaps what we see here are the same personality traits that makes
people stick with a particular religion. The Catholic religion is
resistant to change, thus, people that stick with the Catholic
religion possibly (very generally speaking) may be more resistant to change. It has been general practice to have torture during military conflicts - not necessarily legal or approved, but it has been there. They are familiar with it, so it is acceptable.

Could that be it?

Answer 1

I think it has more to do with respect for authority. People without religion have less of a tendency to view authority as "right by definition". They tend to take a more pragmatic view of authority.

Answer 2

no one with common sense would argue that Secular people cannot be more moral then the Religious. Especially in a society such as America where the law is relatively just and moral.

the only problem lies when people live in a corrupt "immoral" society. It is more likely, but not always the case that a Secular person will live in a society and conform to the immorality of the nation around him, especially if he dose not have a moral comparison. A religious person on the other hand can compare it to the morality of his own religion who he/she sees as above the law of their society. Unfortunately man being as it is often dose not rise to the level that their religion demands. Otherwise things such as the Holocaust would not have happened.

Answer 3

It isn't really all that surprising.

Religions are for the most part based on scriptures that are at least 1500 years old, most (not all) societies have moved on from then and no longer tolerate, for example, stonings, the death penalty, rampant misogyny, persecution of homosexuals and so on.

Those who still cling to the bible or Koran and likely to be happier with what they find there, it is no coincidence to me that the less religious the society the lower the rate of murder and other crimes of violence... (i'm comparing countries such as Japan and Northern Europe to the USA and South America for example)

Answer 4

Any religion with a doctrine of an eternal afterlife devalues human life. If a person believes that this life is it, then you're just dead, the value of human life increases, because it's all we ever get. If a person believes that they are going to go on existing forever, then the scant 70-some years that we're here doesn't seem so important. I don't think this information can be used to say that the non-religious are more moral than the religious, but rather that we value life more.

Answer 5

this Data would also be supported by the percentage of atheist in the prison population. There are a disproportionally small number of atheist behind bars.

Answer 6

I never believe survey's unless I take them myself. Considering that all survey's have a plus or minus of 3% at the very least, usually more about 5%, I take it that they actually have no clue and are using numbers to make their points.

Answer 7

Well, do you remember a little matter called the Inquisition, where Catholic priests tortured Jews and "enemies of the church" for the good of their souls?

Answer 8

what is your problem? why are you so wrapped up and worried about religion. Look spooky whatever-no one bugs you about whatever freak show your into so why are you bugging people about theirs? Live and let live. There is so much F**CKIN war out there in the name of "god" why you adding fuel to the fire? just accept people!! Stop picking on people for believing in "God" go brew up a spell or something.

Answer 9

First I'd like to know who made this pole, and why they excluded whole sections of the population. You can hold no confidence in a poll that precludes more than half thepopulation

Answer 10

Most secular people are liberals. They like to sound like caring and loving people with all the right sayings like "pro-choice". They defend baby seals and terrorists but kill innocent babies by the millions. Your poll only touches what people are willing to reveal about themselves, not the truth.