Does Belief in Heaven & a Forgiving God Lead to Higher Crime Rates?
- Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:01am by
Billy Hallowell
- Print »
- Email »
Can we blame God’s mercy for higher crime rates? This is the seemingly bizarre question that the NewScientist is asking this morning, as the outlet explores eternal damnation and the ways in which faith interacts with, complicates and impacts criminal activity.
The focus of the article is a new study from the University of Oregon in Eugen, which seems to show that there could be a correlation between belief in heaven and a forgiving God and…breaking the law.
Dr. Azim Shariff, a psychology professor, and his team looked at global data that highlights peoples’ beliefs about life after death and also looked at information collected by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The massive examination included 143,000 individuals living in 67 nations. Obviously, such a massive sample enabled the team to include a diversity of religious backgrounds.
In most of the countries examined, it was more likely that people reported a belief in heaven than in hell. From this, the researchers were able to examine the intensity and degree to which each nation’s belief of heaven outpaced its acceptance of hell. The goal was to explore how differences in belief surrounding both post-mortem localities impact crime.
Interestingly, here’s what the researchers found: Even after controlling for crime-related issues like GDP, income inconsistencies, population density and life expectancy, national crime rates were higher when nations believe strongly in heaven but have weak acceptance of a hell.
“Belief in a benevolent, forgiving god could license people to think they can get away with things,” Shariff explains, but he cautions that this speculation is preliminary and that causation hasn’t yet been proven between religious beliefs and crime rates.
The abstract for the study, entitled, “Divergent Effects of Beliefs in Heaven and Hell on National Crime Rates” reads:
Though religion has been shown to have generally positive effects on normative ‘prosocial’ behavior, recent laboratory research suggests that these effects may be driven primarily by supernatural punishment. Supernatural benevolence, on the other hand, may actually be associated with less prosocial behavior. Here, we investigate these effects at the societal level, showing that the proportion of people who believe in hell negatively predicts national crime rates whereas belief in heaven predicts higher crime rates. These effects remain after accounting for a host of covariates, and ultimately prove stronger predictors of national crime rates than economic variables such as GDP and income inequality. Expanding on laboratory research on religious prosociality, this is the first study to tie religious beliefs to large-scale cross-national trends in pro- and anti-social behavior.
When exploring the issue, the notion that a weaker belief in hell could spawn greater crime rates does make some sense. After all, acceptance that heaven exists indicates that individuals see themselves as being rewarded for their lives on earth. However, the central underpinning of an unpleasant place such as hell is that people will be punished for poor behavior on earth. If a culture embraces the former and not the latter, then the only thing its inhabitants look forward to after death is guaranteed pleasure.
And when considering the existence of hell, one must also think through his or her actions. If, indeed, an unpleasant afterlife exists, people will likely try their hardest to avoid it. This, naturally, would lead — one would assume — to lower incidents of crime and other illegal acts, as individuals attempt to do good (or simply avoid doing harm) so that they can reach heaven.
Clearly, a study focused more upon the faiths that regard hell in a more fervent light would help to delve deeper into the issue. It will be intriguing to see what Shariff and his team come up with next.
(H/T: NewScientist)
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 686 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 536 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 446 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 374 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 332 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 290 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 299 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 193 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 301 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 290 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (154)
RAMJR
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:55pmThe Bible is sound on restitution for crimes, but the ‘political correctness, feelings over facts and lying nature of man (including the fact the division with financial reward assisting immorality and those that break laws) corrupt that restitution.
Report Post »The notion of putting a thief in jail, give him or her three meals, a bed, a chance to earn a degree and free health care, etc, puts the perspective of rewarding the criminals and punishing the innocent. Biblically there is a call of restitution, and depending on theft alone one to seven times what is taken, is called for. One Biblical example used, is in the man who steals another mans oxen (would be compared to a truck, tool to carry things and grow your crops with. The restitution was not a reward, but a physical taking away from. The thief had his oxen given to who he stole from, as well as the oxen he took, the restitution of shame was put on his name and he had to earn his way back into trust, as well as face the hardship he faced before he turned to crime. Just imagine if criminals today had to give back twice what they took and still got nothing from their crimes.
Then you have murder. The call for at least two witnesses was called for, and the fear of God actually meant something, so lying, and causing a death. led to the liars deaths. Restitution for murder, be it a man, woman, child or animal murdering a human, was death. It sent a message of no reward. Jails were few, restitution was swift.
lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:36pmTrue… Jubilee is the sense of Total Debt Forgiveness… but the 5 Cities of Sanctuary is the sense of a Second Chance even for Murder!
Report Post »db321
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:42pmIf I were a Liberal, I would love the articles the Blaze has been posting lately. Now to the Liberal poster that thinks they are fooling Conservative Christians. When it come to anytype of crime. ALL WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY GOD ON JUDGEMENT DAY! Most people that commit crimes, think they are getting away with it if nobody catches them.
What is missing in our youth today is accoutability. They like Hitler think they are going to live forever and that they don’t have to account to anyone for thier actions. And yes even the Blaze Editor, you too will be held accoutable for every word and deed you have done in your life.
Report Post »Dr Vel
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 1:58amLukeRW the Sanctuary Cities were for those involved in accidental deaths to protect them from enraged family members who might avenge their loved ones. Example was an axe head flying off while chopping wood. Premeditated murder carried the death penalty if there were two witnesses. While I have no doubt some were able to scam the system these cities were not intended as a second chance for a murderer. In the end they would still have to face their Creator.
Report Post »Simple-James
Posted on June 25, 2012 at 12:07amYeah, good luck with that whole “Judgement Day” thing. I just have this weird feeling that you will never see that day come to fruition. 2150 AD right? Wait no it was last year, no earlier this year, no wait I got it! Later this year.
How long has it been said that “His Judgement Cometh And That Right Soon”?
Laws with inherent consequences were made to control civilized people through fear.
It was understood a long time ago that you can’t simple rely on people to be good for the sake of being good, you had to scare them straight. Which is why religions rely so heavily on fear mongering and rewarding tactics.
Sorry, but even after all of the Sunday school and bible study hours logged, I still just don’t buy it.
Report Post »singray
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:15pmIt’s that upside down thing. Trying to convince what is true is actually the opposite of what really is. And the dumb ones believe it. A few more converts to their twisted world.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:41pmWhat MORONS! Woe unto them who call good, evil, and ,go,od. These FOOLS have no clue, that they not only stand in fear of eternal damnation, but God will not be mocked, and HE will make them pay, in this life for such foolishness. They will have health,economic,emotional reversals.Perhaps the Lord will even have them eat grass, with cows for seven years, as He did to Nebuchadnezzar, in Daniel 4:25.
Report Post »maccow
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:07pmDon’t be too hasty.
They did not target any one religion in the study so as I read it, this is less an indictment of Christianity then of Islam.
Bible adhering Evangelicals don’t make up the majority of our prison populations and this fits the study as Biblical Christianity teaches that there is are negative repercussions in the afterlife for those not saved. Islam doesn’t teach hell only heaven for the followers of allah, and Islam makes up a disproportionat amount of our prison population just as this study suggests.
As a Bible believing Christian myself, I do see the complete lack of sound Christian theology in the premise of this report, but what do you expect from a bunch of secular social scientists? There is no research grant money in studying the positive life effects of faith in Jesus Christ.
The Lord doesn’t command us to take this lost world and make it more Christian friendly and tolerant, but to save those that are in the world. The day is soon coming where God will redeem this world and set up a theocracy under His Son, no where are we told to try and make this happen by man’s strength. We are called to save as many individuals as possible through the gospel, before that day comes.
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:48pmTake into account there are some denominations that believe “Once Saved Always Saved.” And I highly suspect people (some not all) who believe that tend to live as if they could do no wrong because they believe they can never fall away.
Report Post »Xyskalla
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 2:53amThe devil is in the details. The higher crime rate isn’t in reference to just a belief in God and Heaven. The higher crime rate is in reference to a belief that God will forgive everything, with little or not belief in accountability/retribution/Hell. I can see that idea having some legitimacy, but it doesn‘t reflect on Christianity because the God who doesn’t judge the wicked is not found in the Bible. Our culture has been trying to turn God into Mr. Nice Guy, and we are suffering the consequences for it.
But couldn’t there also be another reason? Is it possible that cultures that believe in an all-benevolent, non-judging deity might also go lighter on penalties for violations to their criminal laws? If so, there’s no way to tell which factor had a bigger effect on the crime rate.
Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation. I remember reading about a study that showed a correlation between the consumption of ice cream and violent crime. The more ice cream sales rose in a particular city, the higher the rate of violent crime. You could conclude that eating ice cream causes violence, but the actual reason was much less absurd. People consume more ice cream when the weather is hot. Hot weather makes people irritable and short-tempered, hence the increase in violent crime.
Report Post »NineteenEighty4
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:15pmIf you need the threat of eternal punishment or the reward of eternal salvation to be a decent effing human being, you are a sociopath, only concerned with your own desires. Humans have evolved and survived because of our empathy, not because of an imagined deity.
Report Post »JimL
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:34pmSocial Evolution (formerly Darwinism): moral relativism, narcissism, abortion, euthanasia, and designer mini-me. How many clones will Evolution require?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:38pmAnd… how did you come to that understanding? History… is the History of Wars between Empires… and of Killing… from Ancient Egypt… the Mao’s China! Empathy & Compassion is a Family Trait… never greater than the identification with a Tribe.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:07pmWhat is the Cause of Empathy?
What is the Effect of Empathy?
Think Harder.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:14pmThe Bible is clear that forgiveness is exclusive of consequence. Because you are forgiven had no effect on the consequences of your action. David committed adultery with Bathsheeba and had her husband killed. He repented and wrote one of the greatest Psalms confessing his sins. However, the child she was pregnant with died, one of his sons raped his sister. The other son killed him and then tried to kill David. David paid a heavy price for his sins thought God had forgiven him.
Report Post »skaulr
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:31pmAmen, navy, amen.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:47pmExcept… David was constantly at War and Plots abounded… his Son… Solomon… had his Kingdom divided and looted by the Egyptians… where the Ark of the Covenant was lost (even though they did not want to admit it). Christ was the fulfillment of the Sacrifice of Isaac — GOD moves in Ways of Great Time, as the Signature Of GOD!
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:49pmWith EVERY action comes a CONSEQUENCE, both on the good side AND on the EVIL SIDE. God said the rain pours on the just and unjust.
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. That has been true throughout all God’s nature on earth, both for humans and for animals (made less than humans). For example, if you combine the non-white and white genes in creating an offspring, what do you have? That does NOT make you UNIQUE. It makes you a consequence of someone else’s decision.
If you combine a sister and brother seed (sex between a brother and sister), then what do you have?
That does NOT make you UNIQUE. It makes you a consequence of someone else’s decision, but along with that comes the outcome from the LAW OF NATURE that God originally set down for mankind and it may not be pretty.
As humans have evolved, they have decided that THEY and only they can change the outcome of every action they decide upon. What they are forgetting is that GOD DOES NOT FORGET THEIR ACTIONS and HE WILL REWARD THEM ACCORDINGLY.
Therefore, those who FOLLOW CHRIST will actually DO THE RIGHT THING IN ALL THINGS, BOTH IN ACTIONS AND IN DEEDS because THEY KNOW THE LAWS OF NATURE and THEY KNOW HOW GOD WILL REWARD THEM. GOD IS ALL ABOUT OBEDIENCE TO HIM – NOT TO MANKIND.
The difference between the just and unjust is JESUS CHRIST.
Report Post »The JUST know Christ and follow Him.
The UNJUST will NOT know Christ nor do not want to know Him.
palerider54
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:05pmYou forgot to list that David was not allowed to build the temple. He wanted to but God saved that privilege for Solomon. No where in the scriptures will you find God condoning sin or rewarding it.
Report Post »Moses was not allowed to cross into the promised land because of his sin. He was forgiven of it, but he was still punished for it.
ccrabill
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:54pmWhat a moron! Yeah, sure, Christians represent the highest crime rate in society by his calculations! What a joke!
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:12pmDoes a belief in Allah and a vengeful God lead to more homicide bombings by Muslims?
Report Post »MRMANN
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 6:15amAs a Protestant Christian, I have to say that this article really annoyed me–so much so, in fact, that I now feel compelled to go out & commit a crime.
Report Post »skaulr
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:40pm“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26-31)
Report Post »~Why would any believer want to serve his old master with this kind of reminder?
If we repent and believe, does that not require us to abandon our old ways? If we return to ‘our’ way, and yet claim Christ, does that not bring Him shame? Does it not say “The Lord will judge his people”? The willful sin still carries its own consequences; whether here or there, it is still known.
~saved or unsaved we all sin. Once saved, however, it is our duty to Christ to strive to not sin willfully or suffer the consequences.
~it is interesting to note that the kind of attitude noted in the article is the very reason some believe Christians to be hypocrites, and why wouldn’t they?
ICEDRAGON
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:23pmDiversity of religion you mean like mohommedism? The most violent belief in their world the spawn of Satan is this what you call good research? GO away you are trying to make crap up to fit your plans.
Report Post »Try taking samples from the only two religions on the planet Jewish/Christian the rest , Even to the fore fathers the rest were cults and not religions. Do your home work before you dump this crap on us.
ScarletRose
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:06pmWell in this case, isn’t it funny that Crime actually spiked after prayer and the Bible and the Ten Commandments were REMOVED from Schools, courtrooms, and public venues!!!
And that NON-BELIEVERS are the ones instrumental in watering down the Justice system and insist that strong penalties are unfair to the most vicious of criminals!!!!
So right there – Statistics put the lie to this garbage that Bible-believing Christianity promotes Crime.
Report Post »JimL
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:56pmMajority of Americans are “spiritual”?
Report Post »Kathaleen
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:56amThe only response that I can make is God knows your heart and there is no fooling God!!
Report Post »palerider54
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:27amI admit that as a young man, I accepted Christ as my savior and started trying to follow a Godly life because of FEAR of eternal punishment.
After many years of trying to lead a Christian life, and more often than not, failing miserably, I then truly dedicated my life to Christ and admitted that alone I could not resist the temptation of sin.
It was then that Jesus truly came into my life and I realized the true benefits of being a born again Christian.
Of being able to lean of the Lord for strength, for guidance. To be able to find joy in serving him.
No, I am not perfect, and will not be until after the rapture or the death of this flesh. Not perfect, just FORGIVEN, and I will settle for that.
My bumper sticker says it all, it is a picture of an open Bible, and the message says,
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, READ THE DIRECTIONS.
As most men, I never read the directions until I have failed at the task at hand, then out of desperation for a happy and fulfilling life, I read the directions and am always quite amused at how simple it truly is.
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:01pm1 Corinthians 6:12-20 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “ The two shall become one flesh.” 17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
That answers the debate clearly and as Palerider54 says Read the directions but then you have to foolw them. Understand that belief in God is not only a thought that resides in your mind but the action that puts those beliefs into being.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:14amA guy named Azim Shariff is going to tell me that a strong belief in heaven leads to a higher crime rate?? All he had to do was look at the data concerning muslim crime. I am in full blown profiling by assuming Azim Shariff is muslim.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:31amDid the Aztecs…. start killing and eating their enemies… or did the Sun god tell them to do it? Did Mohammed start converting and conquering his neighbors… and justify it in the Koran… or did an Angel tell him to do it?
Report Post »FreeCanada
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:09amSeems to me that if all you are required to do is walk into a confessional and then say a few “Hail Mary’s” to be forgiven it would be much easier than having to live with your crime for the rest of your life. Which one would really be hell for the remorseful person?
I don’t know how accurate the following is or if these people found religion while incarcirated thus skewing these results. But I am pretty sure that any criminal who was religious before their crime likely did not drop that religion and become an atheist because of it.
Atheists represent less than 1% of the prison population compared to about 15% in the general population, or a ratio of 0.06.
Christians represent about 78% of the prison population compared to about 75% in the general population, or a ratio of 1.04.
Catholic 39.164%
Protestant 35.008%
Muslim 7.273%
American Indian 3.222%
Nation 2.320%
Rasta 1.987%
Jewish 1.773%
Church of Christ 1.744%
Pentecostal 1.463%
Moorish 1.426%
Buddhist 1.180%
Jehovah Witness 0.890%
Adventist 0.831%
Orthodox 0.502%
Mormon 0.399%
Scientology 0.254%
Atheist 0.209%
Hindu 0.159%
Santeria 0.157%
Sikh 0.019%
Bahai 0.012%
Krishna 0.009%
Source(s):
http://www.holysmoke.org/icr-pri.htm
Report Post »3 years ago
lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:44amWhat does… the Christian/Gospel… NEW COVENANT… cite?
Report Post »JimL
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:39pmIs there a correlation between narcissism and crime?
Report Post »JimL
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:46pmAct of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for
having offended you, and I detest
all my sins, because of Your just
punishments, but most of all because
they offend You, my God, who are
all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of
Your grace, to sin no more and to
avoid the near occasion of sin.
Confessional lines are typically short. Why?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:10pm@JIML
Report Post »I think there is a correlation between… the absolute need of an Individual… and the considerations upon obtaining it, which includes Sruples, Violations, and Results.
WhiteFang
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:58amA person who understands who God is, comes to love him, and his desire to please him overrides any predisposition to commit a crime. So Love for God and neighbour is the motivating reason to live a moral life. Jesus indicated that if we love him, we would do as he instructed. If we disobey his teachings, then that indicates we do not love him, or his Father. – Matthew 22:37-40
A fear of punishment does not prevent a person to be a wrongdoer. History bears that out to be true.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:19amJohn 14:15 simply states: (Jesus’ words) “”If YOU love me, YOU will observe my commandments;”
So conversely, if a person does not love Jesus, they cannot consistently obey the good laws and principles found in God’s Word.
Report Post »What love is, is described for us in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:1-7
lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:13pmScripture cites (paraphrased)… GOD says… if you cannot follow the Commandment… then I will Judge you by whatever Standard of Laws that you Claim to Follow…
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:45amAn Oregon university? Anti-God left wing agenda much?
Report Post »AndYetItMoves
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:48amAmazing how it‘s only the below average schools that meet the blazers’ criteria for godliness.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:08am@ANDY…
Report Post »Do people migrate to Cities… because they are Smart or for Wealth & Power is an attraction? Do people attend certain Schools… because they are Smart or for the Recognized Status of Degree by the Establishment? Does the Engine go in the Front of the Car… or the Rear?
shogun459
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:44amREALY!?!?
And I suppose believing that there will be NO punishment for behaving badly in small and large things doesn’t lead to the attitude, “It’s all about me and what I can get for myself in any way I can get it. Fair or foul, there is no super being watching me, no Karma so I have no remorse all things are allowed.”?
Report Post »ep8568
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:36amAthiests don‘t want God’s laws because they aren’t tailored to THEIR personal vices ! I smell tyranny in the air.
Report Post »AndYetItMoves
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:42amI smell simplicity in the air.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:54amPerhaps this is a little off point, however. Hell is real, its more horrible than humans can imagine, more loathsome, more frighting, more pain, fear, lose than can be understood. I wish no one to go there. Oh people like Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Dahlmer, et al, certainly deserve all they will get. Never say to another “go to hell” Those who use Christ forgiveness as excuse to sin are in for a big surprise when that Great Day finally arrives. Christianity is under threat, the White Liberal Trash loonies can‘t wait for the day to come when we are declared ’Enemies of the State” WLT will kill us all. God save Our Glorious Republic.
Report Post »harumph
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:33amIt is very easy to think you’re going to heaven. People think they’ll have time to change their ways before they end this life. Many of those same people ignore the possibility of hell, believing that they have nothing to worry about.
Christians are keenly aware of the existence of both heaven AND hell. As the study suggests, those who believe in hell are less likely to commit crimes. There are many religions who believe that good works will get you to heaven. Therefore, if you commit a crime, you better do something good to counter your sin. Done! … Next?
Jesus said, “NO ONE comes to the Father, but by Me.” He paid the ultimate price. You cannot serve two masters. If you serve yourself, you cannot serve Him. Those who know this, get taps on the shoulder before they sin. That little tap stops many people in their tracks.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:25amLaw procedes from Morality… Morality procedes from Faith & Religion… and to a Predator Species that Hunts & Kills, Fights & Wars… Ethics & Scruples restricts agressive behavior!
Report Post »AndYetItMoves
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:44amInquisition, war, sexism, racism, genocide, paranoia, self-righteousness, an stupidity proceed from fith and religion.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:51am@ANDY…
Report Post »It procedes from our Predatorial Species… not from Religion: Re Communist Russia & China!
alinmatt
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:01pm@luke, are you reasoning from a perspective that evolution and the bible walk hand in hand?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:27pm@ALIN…
I am reasoning from the Perspective…. that in the Presence of GOD, all must Obey & Think like GOD, so created Angel are Slaves… leading to the Creation of this Universe, where a Predator Spices, of Individuals & Free Will, represent the challenge of creations coming to GOD, already Obeying and Thinking alike GOD… as Christ did Perfectly!
I do not Claim to Know the Unknown… to be an Evolutionist or Creationist… as it does not matter. What matters… Is where you are Going… not where you have been.
Report Post »alinmatt
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:06pm@Luke, the fact remains that none of us actually do know where we are going, but only where we’ve been. If you have irrefutable evidence of where you’re going, I’d be very interested in seeing it.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:57pm@ALIN…
Report Post »Empircal Evidence: I have died several times. I do not recommend it: but one can die, to “see” it — so, it is better to go by Faith!.
OhioRifleman
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:24amAnother day, another study to show why religion is bad. Somehow, I don’t find myself surprised. Attacking religion is a favored passtime of the left, not necessarily for the content but because they want to be the sole arbiters of ‘morality’.
Report Post »Tractorboy
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:26amOhiorifleman- You have it exactly, their morality blows in the wind with whatever is culturally acceptable, and satisfies their selfish desires.
Report Post »phillyatheist
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:20ami don’t believe in either, and i’ve never been arrested. somehow, without supernatural beliefs, my moral compass stays straight.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:27amBut… it just may be all that holds another back… from killing you.
Report Post »alinmatt
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:37am@Luke, not likely. When people think that this life is their only shot, they tend to be more careful with it. Killing someone is a good way to ensure a less than desirable life for yourself.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:47am@ALIN…
You do not know me… and my type!
A Viet Nam Vet
Report Post »phillyatheist
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:24am“But… it just may be all that holds another back… from killing you.”
that’s some morality there. you know what, if that’s the case please keep on believing. it’s scary to think that the only thing that is keeping people from doing heinous things is the belief in an afterlife. gives me the heebie jeebies.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:51am@PHILLY…
Report Post »Exactly… and the Reason Why the Liberals should not want to destroy The Church!
alinmatt
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:05pm@Luke, so I guess we should let the fear of what some may do dictate what is reasonable. It’s known as fear mongering. Since we’re on the topic of using fear to dissuade reason, let’s discuss hell. It seems to be an effective method at preventing people from questioning the Bible and it’s God. Fear is effective, but I’ve already left Christianity and the use of fear in persuading me has lost its power.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:25pm@ALIN…
JOB… Satan goes To and Fro upon the Earth: This is Hell… and Empires of Destruction and War are our Satan projected from our Predatorial Species. The REALITY is: You must Fear the Nature of Your Species… where Nazi, Russians, and Chinese killed Millions upon Millions. This is not Fear Mongering… this is a Recognition of History.
What Christianity represents is… the Golden Rule… which represents the Promise that you are Safe among Christians, and the followers will not Kill you. This Promise exists… No Where Else!
Report Post »alinmatt
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:57pm@Luke, What you were attempting, was fear mongering. A homicidal vet without a god does not equate to Hitler’s Germany, or Mao, or Stalin. They were idealists, not mentally unstable.
Report Post »The nature of man is to war with one another. Most wars have something in common known as idealism. Let me name a few ideals. Islam. Judaism. Communism. Socialism. Let’s not forget Christianity. Idealism leads to killing in the name of the greater good. Killing heretics to prevent others from going to hell is a good example. Christianity is not a safe haven. I fear idealism far more than the occasional homicidal maniac. When idealism mixes with the powers of state it becomes dangerous.
As for the golden rule. Christianity and Judaism do not own it. It has been around in many civilizations older than the Israelites. Nonetheless, it is a good rule. And it is the only ideal that has been proven to work. It’s also found in the libertarian perspective that our forefathers had. Live and let live.
lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:24pm@ALIN…
Your view of the World is Bent… if you believe that the People participate in selecting which Wars are to be Fought. Leaders Direct… and People Follow… where there always enough Soldiers, because we are Predators… and our Nature is to Disagree, Fight, and Kill. And, you have shown that this is Your Nature.
Judaism is not an Organized Religion… but rather a number of Sects, who all Hate each other… and if the Muslims wanted to destroy them… all they would have to do is give them Peace, and they kill each other. Go to those Countries that you think practice the Golden Rule… and see!
On the other hand, I agree the Founders were Libertians… but they were too busy Fighting & Killing Indians, Tories, and British to practice Brotherly Love!
Report Post »alinmatt
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 11:20am@luke, now that my internet is working, I’ll respond. In the wars you listed, the people participated in starting them. Hitler rose to power by presenting an ideal to the people, who then voted for him and then continued supporting him. Not all the people, but enough. The communists were the people in the beginning. They overthrew the leaders.
Report Post »Leaders have to have support of the people to go towar. Even tyrants are aware of this. They have to present common enemies and ideals. Tyrants who continue to go to war without enough support eventually have civil war.
alinmatt
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 11:33am@luke, the wars you listed started with the people. Hitler rose to power by the people, who continued supporting him. He sold them an ideal. The commies, same story. In both cases, the leaders were exchanged by the will of the masses. That doesn’t mean al the people pick the wars, but enough of them had to be in support.
Report Post »alinmatt
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 11:41am“judaism is not an organized religion, but sects who hate each other”. I agree, it also sounds like Christianity.
Report Post »the golden rule. I was only pointing out the fact that it has been around longer than Christianity and the roots of christianity. While people practice it, institutions rarely do
alinmatt
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:12pmYour predator species premise lacks one thing. Man’s ability to reason. Our ability to reason sets us apart from primates. While we may war like animals on national levels, we tend to be more civilized within. We may disagree as individuals in a civilization, but rarely kill each other at the individual level. Why? Because reason tells us that being a good neighbor is mutually beneficial, and being a bad neighbor is mutually destructive. It’s called civility, the thing that civilizations are built upon. Civilizations attempt to practice civility with one another through diplomacy. Unfortunately, when a guy like Ron Paul suggests practicing the golden rule on the national level, Christians mock him.
Report Post »alinmatt
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:34pmLibertarian forefathers. While our country has done horrible things to indians and others, we are the only nation in history that has attempted reparations. On top of it, that secular libertarian philosophy has allowed cultures from around the world to live in relative peace within it. Besides, killing indians was a result of a christian view called manifest destiny. Christians believed it was God’s will. Enslaving Africans was also supported within the Christian worldview. These atrocities were committed in opposition to a secular libertarian view, not alongside it.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:20amHistory has shown, that you either need a strong police force, or a strong belief in a higher power to keep humans from constantly fighting each other.
Report Post »phillyatheist
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:28amnow that is hilarious.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:36am@PHILLY…
Report Post »You are… either Predator or Prey! CHOOSE!
Conservative-Atheist
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:08pma strong belief in a higher power to keep humans from constantly fighting each other.
Hmmmm….doesn’t seem to be working too well in the middle east……..
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:06pm@CON…
Report Post »Free Will is a bitch… when GOD tells us to do one thing… but we use our Predator Mode to do the opposite. You are not blaming GOD… for the Evil that you do… are you?
Conservative-Atheist
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 3:40amNice little straw man you built there Luke. Personally I never blame imaginary beings for my failings.
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:19amNahhhh, the DEVIL made me do it!
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:17am…
Report Post »This ridiculous study was based on people who DID NOT believe there is a H*LL.
There is a GOD, a HEAVEN, and a H*LL.
If everyone believed in all three, we would have very little crime.
No one wants to spend eternity in H*LL.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:15amHere we go again; the core of the matter is this God lays out his rules in ten simple commandments, one of which is “You shall not Steal!” WE chose to obey or disobey and accept the consequences we set into motion accordingly. God is straight forward in all aspects, putting it in the terms anyone can understand and leaving the final choice for us to make.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:32amI believe… GOD gave the 10 Commandments (turned into 613) and Old Covenant to the Hebrews… and Christ replaced them with the Golden Rule and New Covenant!
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:42amhere we go again is exactly what I thought. just more garbage to tie in the secular theme of God is bad. I am sick of it.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:14amnot buying it. I am sure that cannibal the other day was concerned with damnation right? or sandusky? this is just more garbage.
Report Post »