statistically, 75% of the population is Christian, and 75% of U.S. prison inmates are too.
about 10% of the population is atheist/agnostic, but only 0.5% of the prison population is.
2006-12-31 00:24:21 · 33 answers · asked by Brendan G 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
http://atheistempire.com/reference/stats/main.html
2006-12-31 00:43:15 · update #1
http://www.holysmoke.org/icr-pri.htm
2006-12-31 00:46:29 · update #2
People entering US prisons state their religious affiliation on entry; that is where the statistic of 0.5% atheists is generated.
That means 99.5% of those entering US prisons already have a religion of one sort or another; any "jailhouse" conversions are merely from "catholic to protestant" or somesuch change.
Claims of "atheists turning to 'god'" usually means a non-baptist christian becomes a baptist christian; the person was never truly an atheist. If anyone does not agree, ask Bob Jones University why they say catholics and mormons are "satanists"; those religions consider themselves to be christians.
As for why atheists are less likely to be criminals, it's because we can't rationalize our behaviour. A christian will say to himself, "god will forgive me" for some horrendous act and then expect not to be arrested. An atheist cannot lay blame or responsibility with anyone else nor use religion to claim "moral superiority".
When you have to take responsibility for your own actions, you tend to think of the consequences, not the nonsense of "praying for forgiveness". I've lost count of how many christians I've seen in the news, on trial for some crime, pleading for leniency because they are (or "tried to be") a "good christian", as if that somehow excused theft, rape, shooting people, drug use or murder.
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2006-12-31 00:49:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
You have never been there have you? You link three things that have little in common.Atheists can have morals the same as anyone.The difference is they deny the source.Population of the country and population in prisons are not reflections.The ones in prison are the ones who get caught.Christians are not perfect most find God because of the overwhelming mistakes they have made in life.When you are at the hangman's gallows you have nothing left to hope for but God.In prison the only entertainment that is allowed except TV or radio is the church groups that come to preach and sing.There you have time to reflect and read either the Bible or the Quran.Out of strife comes salvation,out of sorrow understanding,out of regret resolve.
2006-12-31 00:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The other 9.5% become Christian after they become prisoners. I really do not know, but I NEVER said that an atheist didn't have any morals either. There are a number of atheist persons who care about others. This is really a silly question. I am not too sure of the 75% that "CLAIM" to be Christian in theis country. Are they truly living a CHristian life? Evidentally NOT. GOD will judge, not you or I. Have a great week.
Eds
2006-12-31 00:35:25 · answer #3 · answered by Eds 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think it's telling that several people have responded pointing to the fact that many convert after they enter prison.
They see this as a good thing; but someone under extremely desperate times, faced with being forsaken by society, and living a pointless and painful life, would of course find the promise of eternal life without suffering to be nice.
It's like saying 'there are no atheists in fox holes'. It's not true, but why would you be proud of thinking that most people only believe in religion because they are afraid of death?
2006-12-31 00:32:34 · answer #4 · answered by Michael 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone has some kind of morals. Not just christians. In part, most people are good caring folks no matter what their beliefs are. I am a christian but that doesn't mean that my morals are any better than anyone elses. I just love jesus, try to do right and ask for forgiveness.
2006-12-31 00:31:21 · answer #5 · answered by suzy-Q 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well if you want to talk stats, then since there are more Christians it is obvious the number in prison would be higher, unless you want to lock up all Atheist to make it even??? Of Course not.
Christians don't think Atheist have no morals. You can't go by Y!A for info on any type of religion or lack of.
I am a Christian, I have never said that about any Atheist, or any other group. You are creating a stereotype, that is exactly what you are complaining about. Seems kind of hypocritical doesn't it.
Moral standards very from group to group and over the generations. What was acceptable 10 yrs ago, may not be now, etc..So I don't judge you, why do you judge me?
2006-12-31 00:31:08 · answer #6 · answered by Chrissy 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Many people use religion as a way to cope with the loneliness, danger and despair of prison. But faith acquired under such circumstances will probably not outlive that person's sentence. They'll use the religion when they need it and then drop it once released. For example, I had a cousin who was doing 7 years in jail for drug distribution. While their, he wrote me a lot of letters and called me a lot, and he adopted what I thought was a strong Muslim faith. He memorized the scriptures and even put the "El" at the end of his name. But on his first day out of jail, all he wanted to do was get stinking drunk and get laid. Soon after that, he was back to selling drugs and is now in back in jail and once again developing faith is the holy Koran.
2006-12-31 01:04:46 · answer #7 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am truthful enough to say that I have been to jail more than once, my longest stay was close to ten months as an innocent man. God was there with me, since I was tried by God, and all charges dropped. I learned a lot through all that, that you should not judge anyone no matter how bad it may appear, that's God's job alone...... I even mention that to the corrupted court system, in court, I stood my ground and said that I rather not be judged by this corrupted court, that I would rather be judged by God alone, that's another reason why I was in so long, not to plead guilty to something that I didn't do and be stuck in their system. God was the one who freed me by taking the life of the states only witness, the state cop, after that was found a tape that I didn't know that was played in his car, my confession to where I save a life that night, and that I was set up. That cop never wrote down anything that I said that was the truth..... God freed me, because I never deny him.
How many apostles went to Jail, even Jesus was arrested.
Judgment is for God alone.
2006-12-31 00:48:07 · answer #8 · answered by inteleyes 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If Christians are perfectly represented, and atheists and agnostics are underrepresented, some group(s) must be therefore be OVERrepresented. Is it Jews? Is it Muslims? Is it Hindus? Where did you get these stats, anyway?
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>>10% of the population is atheist/agnostic<<
No; the link you yourself supplied puts it at less than 1/10th that -- only .9%!
2006-12-31 00:31:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who ever said that atheists have no morals? One does not have to believe or not believe in god to have morals, or not have them as the case may be.
There are thousands and thousands of so called "christians" that have no more morals than a slug.....take for instance all the priests, preachers, ministers, etc. that have been caught with their hands(and other parts) in the cookie jar, and then want to cry and whine, asking everyone's forgivness for what they've done....the only reason they're asking is because they got caught!
2006-12-31 01:12:24 · answer #10 · answered by silemuirne 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋