Why are atheists such good people?

Question

atheists account for some 8-16% of the us population as a whole, but only 0.2% of the prison population.

http://www.holysmoke.org/icr-pri.htm

why are atheists such good people?

or, to put it another way ...

i must say i am warming to toby p's idea that god himself is a career criminal.

though it would be interesting to know if the christian god is in for tax-evasion or just molesting children.

Answer 1

Because atheists aren't taught to hate others just because they're different. Which is different than many (but not all) religions. Christianity, for example, teaches that the followers should hate witches, homosexuals, and anyone thats different, but pretends its called "hating the sin, not the sinner" while they deny those that aren't like them personal liberties.

Answer 2

Atheists are a very mixed bag.
In China they are the majority in prison even though even in China there is a non atheist majority
I the States saying one is a Christian or at least a believer is more advantageous than claiming to be an atheist
In Russia the majority of actual crimminals(not politicos) claimed to be atheists under communism because this title was advantageous but now most claim not to be atheist since the fall of communism
Most atheists in the USA are from economically "advantaged" circumstances and few of the latter end up in jail.
Many atheists I know live Christian ethics better than many people i know who profess to be Christians

Answer 3

There is a lot of conversion in prisons and it could be now that many of those conformed believers are doing their best to live up to their new found beliefs. There are also a lot of folks on the outside who say they believe in God but don't live up to it. There is good and bad in all walks of life, believers and non believers. The bottom line is people can commit the worst wrongs and later have felt deep regret.

Answer 4

Mankind is not able to understand what and who God actually is and anyone claiming they understand God is a plain and simple liar. If you know God prove it, they will all fail to do that, showing they don't know as for the Atheists, most atheists are intelligent and search for knowledge on a regular basis instead of banning possibility from their mind and given themselves excuses for their so called bad behavior.

Answer 5

Just because a majority of atheists don't end up in jail, it doesn't mean they're good people. Right? And you're question seems to me that you're talking about atheists as a whole, but you only have statistics from the U.S.

Answer 6

Because they are just humans like the religious people. I think atheists have manners as well but some atheists go to far and insult on what people believe. Now thats the bad part. Other than that they are people who are good and bad. Just like religious people

Answer 7

"Why are atheists such pests?" Why do you human beings save stating us in maximum of questions? "we are in a position to pursue even though non secular direction we %!" particular. "we don't prefer your scientific foundation and your invading judgement." even though which potential. "Such hypocrisy!" youngster, in case you and your human beings did no longer pass to such incredible lengths to objective to cajole me and my those that all and sundry which imaginary little area chappie stuff wasn't from now on than primitive superstition, you and your human beings could in all likelihood in no way pay attention from me and my human beings... in basic terms saying ;) “Theists, surprisingly Christians, attempt to regulate and limit us in step with their perspectives. If all Christians give up crusading against technology, training, way of life, artwork, intercourse and sexuality, non secular freedom and such, give up dishonestly misrepresenting your ideals as data, and give up telling anyone else they are going to be tortured for the period of eternity till they connect you, I assure you which you will no longer come upon practically as plenty hostility.” "by making use of ways, i'm no longer christian. i'm a wiccan" Wow... with all your pathetic Drama Queen you're making an innovations-blowing xian. ~

Answer 8

1)Reasonable self-interest. They do not want to suffer the consequences of crime, so they avoid it. (This is also true of believers)

2)More intelligent criminal minds. Many of those who are criminals know very well how to either avoid detection or manage the judicial system to their advantage

3)Many intelligent atheists who are imprisoned know that parole or pardon is more likely to occur if they are "saved". Their beliefs have not changed, but they do pretend that they have been "converted".

4) Being a "law unto themselves", or doing by nature lawful things such as avoiding causing deliberate harm to anyone.

Answer 9

Most of the atheists I know take this life very seriously, and work to make it worthwhile.

When you know Old Nobodaddy is not coming to punish the naughty children, and take the nice ones to the park for ice-cream, it frees you to actually get on with living a really worthwhile life.
.

Answer 10

I wouldn't say I'm good, but I live by my own moral principles. No need for any religion to tell what & what not to do.
Gotta have a lot of rational discipline, and that's not easy by any standard.
I think my fellow atheists behave pretty well too, and we're not keen in a place where we live of those who paid the taxes.