Christians: If your religion is the best inculcator of morals and values ...?

Question

how come Christians are much more likely to wind up in prison (religion declared upon entry) and much more likely to get divorced:

http://www.skepticfiles.org/american/prison.htm

http://religion.netscape.com/story/2006/10/08/-divorce-rates-highest-for-christians-lowest-for-atheists/

Answer 1

Christians don't like to be judged by their history.

They don't like to be judged by what the majority of people who believe what they believe do.

They liked to be judged on an individual basis because God made each one unique.

Even though for the most part we are identical in comparison to all of the possibilities in nature.

Answer 2

You make the assumption, that if a person declares that they are of one particular denomination or another, that they are a strict adherent to the tenets of those denominations. Every person makes judgments in an instant of time, and it depends largely upon whether they are strict followers of the word of G-d. But suppose someone just loses it and commits a crime of some kind, does that, in and of itself, negate that their religious values have been tossed to the wind? Even in the case of divorce, things tend to happen and people change. Yet, G-d can make good come from every situation, regardless. A lot of morals and values are learned first of all in the home, and it depends strongly to what extent how much of that home life was based on Christian convictions and principles.

Answer 3

If a majority of Christians were ending up in prison, your argument would have more merit. But they aren't, and it doesn't.

Besides, "religion declared upon entry" is not exactly reliable. Just because an inmate says he's a Christian, doesn't necessarily mean he is one.

There are prisoners who will claim "religious status" for various ulterior motives -- to build trust with the guards or with other inmates, to try to get special treatment, or whatever. On the inside, it's called "working for Jesus."

I'm Catholic, and in marriages where both spouses are Catholic, we're actually less likely to divorce than the general population is.

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Answer 4

I believe the majority of Americans would consider themselves Christian. That is why there are more "Christians" in prison and divorced in this country.

That being said, the majority of Americans have no idea what being Christian actually is. They aren't born again, they've never even cracked open a Bible, and they definitely are not a follower of Jesus Christ. Just because you declare yourself a Christian doesn't make it so!

Answer 5

Brendan: I'm a Christian and personally, speaking, I do not like the 3 things you listed: Morals; Values; nor Religion.
Why? People in general, who claim to have "morals and values" tend to be inherently, self-righteous ... that is being "good" on his or her OWN "steam". When the history books are studied, you will find millions of "good, moral people with values" , who crack under the pressure of his or her own particular, circumstance(s) life affords them. Since these morals and values are self-manufactured, people will compromise as the pressure of self-preservation causes the individual to react either, in the "fight or flight" mode. "Religion" to me is a "buffet" where one chooses how he or she will worship God or their particular esteemed person, place or thing. Spirituality, is about relationship with God and He [God] both, directs and empowers an individual in how He [God] wants to be worshipped; therefore, self-manufactured and self-righteousness "morals" and "values" simply, do not cut it ! The road to "hell" is paved with good intentions ! Religion promotes "legalism", which inturn, promotes self-made, moralistic people. These people tend to think of themselves as "better than" others. Religion is CONformity; whereas, Spirituality is TRANSformity of the mind. The legalism from religion (people trying to be "good" apart from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ), processes people, who become toxic. This religious toxin filters through the families in the form of legalism and religious abuse becomes the bi-product. Children subjugated to this enviornment are effected to varying degrees. This is why some people with "religious" training end up with higher incidences of jail time and / or divorce. Remember; RELIGION is what caused the religious leaders of Jesus Christ's day to murder Him. I've seen both sides of the "coin" ... religion does not work ... spirituality DOES. BIG differences !!! Just a quick case came to mind. Saddam, as he was being prepped to be hanged, chanted 2 Muslim prayers prior to dieing ... this is religion not spirituality. GREAT question, there, Brendan.


P.S. I wonder how many "Christian bashers" have had or are presently in religious up-bringings ??? !!!

Answer 6

I find it curious that there always seems to be a handful of those who have nothing better to do than hang out on the Religion & Spirituality catagory and much like a pack of rats or termites, do all they can to disrupt and destroy someone elses beliefs in Religion & Spirituality.

I am not a church going christian, but I do know there exists virtually tons of proof that God does exist, and I have never seen anyone provide one single shred of evidence or proof that God does not exist.

Any of you nay sayers are welcome to step up to the plate and take your best shot.

Darryl S.

Answer 7

First of all, while Christianity certainly calls people to live moral lives and obey the laws of the land it is primarily a religion that looks forward to being justified at the final judgment when those who have put their trust in the payment God made for our sin debt by sending Jesus to take our place will be declared "not guilty" while other people will each have to pay with their own eternal souls since they rejected God's gracious provision for them.

Secondly, since there is a larger percentage of people in this country who "claim" to be Christians, not because they try to follow Jesus in their day to day lives but because they were raised in a family that went to church, there will be a higher percentage of people in jail who when asked about their religion will in their ignorance claim to be Christians.

If you took those people who claim to be Christians and divided it into those who say that they have been born again by the Holy Spirit and who have shown the evidence of a changed life after their spiritual regeneration you would find that only a small portion of those people in jail would meet the Biblical definition of being a true Christian.

Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. (8) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Answer 8

The HOLY Ghost is the best inculcator of Truth and what is righteous.
There is no debate that there is not a single church that can save a persons soul.
but a person cannot be saved in ignorance, nor can a rebellious spirit.

Only those that bow their knee to God will not be cast out into outer darkness.

Answer 9

What non-Christian authority says that Christians are the best inculcator of morals and values? Your question is biased and you do not provide any support for your assertions. Looks like you just want to bash Christians. Sad.

Answer 10

one sided statistics.

anyone in jail will claim they are christian to get an early release.

people who arent christian that do anything wrong will blame God rather than themselves.

i dont think ive ever heard someone blame themselves for their marriage failing.