Why do societies that are less religious have less crime?

Question

that those that are highly religious?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1798944,00.html

RB - Africa has a lot of religion, just less Christianity than other places.

Answer 1

After reading the article you linked to I can only say that one would probably need to read the research to really understand where the study is coming from. I really have to challenge some of the assumptions that are made such as Britain being a secular society and US being a religious one. My personal experience is exactly the opposite so I wonder what they based that assumption on?

Until I know exactly how they measured what societies are religions and what are not it is impossible to comment on their conclusions. But one thing I can say is that nowhere in the article do them mention any native religions or non-western ones so that would be a bias that invalidates the study anyway.

Need to read more on this.

Peace and Blessings,

Salim

Answer 2

Well if there is a link between religion and violence, it's probably because their religion is against crimes. Like the ten commandments basically say everything the law does. Just about all religions have etiquette their followers are expected to follow, to be at peace with theirselves and those around them. If the community is truly a religious one, there should be no crime whatsoever.

Of course, a lot of religions wish to dominate the world for this very reason; global peace, even if it takes blood to get it. That's what the Crusades were all about, right?

Answer 3

No, it's not true. Societies living under iron fist religions have lower crime rates. Sharia law is quite convincing at defusing theft: I might get my hands chopped off. But this doesn't mean that a religious body politic is the ideal. Far from it. I'd rather live in the Bronx or in Detroit's 8 Mile district than under any angelical right wing utopia, whether Southern US Evangelical or Middle East Muslim.

Answer 4

Well there isn't really enough information to make a causal link between the two, at least not in that article. Perhaps both religion and crime are products of some other factor.

Answer 5

Yes, religious controversies do occur, but i don't agree that societies with less religion has less crime, if the whole world had the true Christian faith there would be no crime at all.

Answer 6

Your article is propaganda. There is no study that can substantiate that. It is ridiculous. In my life time I can see that the lack of religion has increased violence, crimes, reduced morality, less respect for others, parents are being murdered. Parents are killing their children. Kids are going into schools and killing students. No, the lack of Religion is ruining our Country.

Answer 7

so not true.in Qatar(near Bahrain and Saudi).its an Islamic country.and it has a very low crime rate. you can leave your doors unlock at night there.and one time a car got stolen there and it made the front page of the news papers.and 3 days later the person who stole the car returned it.now that's peaceful place.

Answer 8

Only law defines anything a crime, anyone a criminal.
Obvious Problem: ever more law = ever more crime.
Obvious solution: Flush law, the root source of crime.

Impure Religion: Law
Pure Religion: Grace

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 9

I don't see that that generality holds true. I know some missionaries in Africa... There isn't much "religion" there but a lot of crime.

Answer 10

Are you asking a question about religion or Christianity.