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Several weeks ago, a ground-breaking study on religious belief and social well-being was published in the Journal of Religion & Society. Comparing 18 prosperous democracies from the U.S. to New Zealand, author Gregory S Paul quietly demolished the myth that faith strengthens society.



Drawing on a wide range of studies to cross-match faith – measured by belief in God and acceptance of evolution – with homicide and sexual behavior, Paul found that secular societies have lower rates of violence and teenage pregnancy than societies where many people profess belief in God.



Top of the class, in both atheism and good behavior, come the Japanese. Over eighty percent accept evolution and fewer than ten percent are certain that God exists. Despite its size – over a hundred million people – Japan is one of the least crime-prone countries in the world. It also has the lowest rates of teenage pregnancy of any developed nation.



(Teenage pregnancy has less tragic consequences than violence but it is usually unwanted, and it is frequently associated with deprivation among both mothers and children. In general, it is a Bad Thing.)



Next in line are the Norwegians, British, Germans and Dutch. At least sixty percent accept evolution as a fact and fewer than one in three are convinced that there is a deity. There is little teenage pregnancy , although the Brits, with over 40 pregnancies per 1,000 girls a year, do twice as badly as the others. Homicide rates are also low -- around 1-2 victims per 100,000 people a year.



At the other end of the scale comes America. Over 50 percent of Americans believe in God, and only 40 percent accept some form of evolution (many believe it had a helping hand from the Deity). The U.S. has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and homicide rates are at least five times greater than in Europe and ten times higher than in Japan.



All this information points to a strong correlation between faith and antisocial behavior -- a correlation so strong that there is good reason to suppose that religious belief does more harm than good.



At first glance that is a preposterous suggestion, given that religions preach non-violence and sexual restraint. However, close inspection reveals a different story. Faith tends to weaken rather than strengthen people’s ability to participate in society. That makes it less likely they will respect social customs and laws.



All believers learn that God holds them responsible for their actions. So far so good, but for many, belief absolves them of all other responsibilities. Consciously or subconsciously, those who are "born again" or "chosen" have diminished respect for others who do not share their sect or their faith. Convinced that only the Bible offers "truth", they lose their intellectual curiosity and their ability to reason. Their priority becomes not the world they live in but themselves.



The more people prioritize themselves rather than those around them, the weaker society becomes and the greater the likelihood of antisocial behavior. Hence gun laws which encourage Americans to see each other not as fellow human beings who deserve protection, but as potential aggressors who deserve to die. And hence a health care system which looks after the wealthy rather than the ill.



As for sex… Faith encourages ignorance rather than responsible behavior. In other countries, sex education includes contraception, reducing the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Such an approach recognizes that young people have the right to make their own choices and helps them make decisions that benefit society as a whole. In America faith-driven abstinence programs deny them that right -- "As a Christian I will only help you if you do what I say". The result is soaring rates of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.



Abstinence programs rest on the same weak intellectual foundation as creationism and intelligent design. Faith discourages unprejudiced analysis. Reasoning is subverted to rationalization that supports rather than questions assumptions. The result is a self-contained system that maintains an internal logic, no matter how absurd to outside observers.



The constitutional wall that theoretically separates church and state is irrelevant. Religion has overwhelmed the nation to permeate all public discussion. Look no further than Gary Bauer, a man who in any other western nation would be dismissed as a fanatic and who in America is interviewed deferentially on prime time television.



Despite all its fine words, religion has brought in its wake little more than violence, prejudice and sexual disease. True morality is found elsewhere. As UK Guardian columnist George Monbiot concluded in his review of Gregory Paul’s study, "if you want people to behave as Christians advocate, you should tell them that God does not exist."



I might express that another way. The flip side of Monbiot's argument is that God would be an atheist,

i think this shatters the thinking that morality is lost when societies become secular.



http://www.humaniststudies.org/enews/index.html?id=219&article=7 i think this shatters the thinking that morality is lost when societies become secular. 6 Likes 1 Share

Bamo, even by your standards, this is very shallow analysis.



Firstly, aetheist countries are either



(a.) Rich

(b.) Communist



Those are the factors that affect crime, not religion.



Why did you not draw your analysis against countries which have Sharia law? After all, they have the lowest crime.

Firstly, aetheist countries are either



(a.) Rich

(b.) Communist

ha ha, isn't the USA a pretty rich country, why isn't it on the list. the scandanavian countries are socialists and not communists. u might need to get ur facts straight. the Dutch are predominantly liberal. ha ha, isn't the USA a pretty rich country, why isn't it on the list. the scandanavian countries are socialists and not communists. u might need to get ur facts straight. the Dutch are predominantly liberal. 9 Likes 3 Shares

The funny thing is most of the countries you name were founded on christian principles - The US and much of western Europe.

The funny thing is most of the countries you name were founded on christian principles - The US and much of western Europe.

the US wasn't founded on christian principles, it was founded on secular principles. Christian conservatives from the 70's are the one spreading that theory of yours. so why do u think atheist countries have less violence and crime?? the US wasn't founded on christian principles, it was founded on secular principles. Christian conservatives from the 70's are the one spreading that theory of yours. so why do u think atheist countries have less violence and crime?? 4 Likes

bawomolo:



the US wasn't founded on christian principles, it was founded on secular principles. Christian conservatives from the 70's are the one spreading that theory of yours. so why do u think atheist countries have less violence and crime??



It was founded by devout christians who recognised the wisdom in separating church and state. It was founded by devout christians who recognised the wisdom in separating church and state. 1 Like



It was founded by devout christians who recognised the wisdom in separating church and state.

so where bejamin franklin, monroe, thomas jefferson etc devout christians?? so where bejamin franklin, monroe, thomas jefferson etc devout christians?? 3 Likes

bawomolo:



so where bejamin franklin, monroe, thomas jefferson etc devout christians??



we've been through this before. Say something else. we've been through this before. Say something else.

bawomolo:



ha ha, isn't the USA a pretty rich country, why isn't it on the list. the scandanavian countries are socialists and not communists. u might need to get your facts straight. the Dutch are predominantly liberal.



Sharrap dia! Do you think I even bothered to read your list? So USA is not on the list? If so, USA is not on the list because although it is the richest country in the world, the rich-poor divide is too large. Crime in the US would be as a result of the 'economics of envy' - and lax gun laws.



Rich countries have no incentives to commit crime



Communist countries do not commit crime because of strict authoritarian regimes and because there is no real difference in the standard of living of the people.



Anyway, back to religion - what does aetheism have to do with reduction in crime? Sharrap dia! Do you think I even bothered to read your list? So USA is not on the list? If so, USA is not on the list because although it is the richest country in the world, the rich-poor divide is too large. Crime in the US would be as a result of the 'economics of envy' - and lax gun laws.Rich countries have no incentives to commit crimeCommunist countries do not commit crime because of strict authoritarian regimes and because there is no real difference in the standard of living of the people.Anyway, back to religion - what does aetheism have to do with reduction in crime? 1 Like

secularism and humanism seem to have a better effect on morality that religious fanatism 3 Likes

bawomolo:



secularism and humanism seem to have a better effect on morality that religious fanatism



Neither here nor there.



Jesus said -->



Luke 5:32



"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Neither here nor there.Jesus said -->"I have not come to call the righteous but."

more like: PREDOMINANTLY WELL DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.

of course, richer countries will have lower crime rates. if the standard of living, security etc were generally high, there will be less incentive to commit crime. unlike here were the police is afraid of thieves and a lot of people are poor.



rich people also tend to slack off in faith (i think there is a parable about this in the new testament, the needle's eye i think or is it needle in the haystack).









I don't think the US is predominantly atheist. not even close. it's secular but not atheist.

u guys seem to be jobless.call me so dat i can give u a job to do

I didn't get to read Bawo's entire article but the premise is incredibly warped.Never mind the attempts to stretch stats,this is a clear example of someone mistaking correlation for causation.



The sensible thing would have been to compare like for like-the difference in crime rates between theist and atheist Japanese for instance. Its incredibly meaningless to compare,say Japan with its unique socio-cultural make up and the US with its also unique make up and history(large ethnic minority population and huge income inequality)





bawomolo:



secularism and humanism seem to have a better effect on morality that religious fanatism



That statement does not even come close to bear. True, fanaticism is an ugly phenomenon - whether express religiously, politically, or atheistically. But what has history demonstrated about humanism and secularism?



I think the idea has be well laid to rest by the various contributors; particularly these two caught my attention:



(a) 4 Play:



Never mind the attempts to stretch stats,this is a clear example of someone mistaking correlation for causation.

(b) WesleyanA:



I don't think the US is predominantly atheist. not even close. it's secular but not atheist.

Besides, dear bawomolo, just what precisely do you mean by "Atheist Countries" in your thread topic? @bawomolo,That statement does not even come close to bear. True,is an ugly phenomenon - whether express, or. But what has history demonstrated about humanism and secularism?I think the idea has be well laid to rest by the various contributors; particularly these two caught my attention:(a)(b)Besides, dear bawomolo, just what precisely do you mean by "Atheist Countries" in your thread topic?

Your research lacks merit and is entirely false



US wasn't founded by christian principles 80% of te founding fathers were free masons/illuminati members get ur fact straight! I dont even think you know anything abt benjamin franklin, I doubt @4HIMUS wasn't founded by christian principles 80% of te founding fathers were free masons/illuminati members get ur fact straight! I dont even think you know anything abt benjamin franklin, I doubt 1 Like

elelem:



Your research lacks merit and is entirely false

How so sir? How so sir?

Im glad im able to join this wonderful community. http://www.seomarketingservicesonline.com">Backlinks</a>

This is incorrect. Completely false.



First, this research confuses "country" with "society". The USA is not a society. It's a country. Within a country there are multiple societies. Without knowing the religious beliefs of the convicted murders or pregnant teens, you don't know to which society they belong; therefore, your research is inconclusive at best. Also, because a persons belief system is subject to change over time, you would have to know what their beliefs were specifically at the time of the homicide or intimate act.



More food for thought: One of the major contributing factors to teen pregnancy in the U.S. is the depiction of sex in the media. Sex is everywhere on TV. Sex is used to sell clothes and news. It's in television shows - even those gears towards teens. Who controls the media in the U.S.? I promise you it's not a bunch of faithful Christians. Generally speaking, the media is liberal.

Contrary to this report Japan is a Shintoist nation with lots of Bu-dist derivatives notably Zen. The UK the highest teenage pregnancy in Europe, higher than Liberal Holland.

11after: This is incorrect. Completely false.



More food for thought: One of the major contributing factors to teen pregnancy in the U.S. is the depiction of sex in the media. Sex is everywhere on TV. Sex is used to sell clothes and news. It's in television shows - even those gears towards teens. Who controls the media in the U.S.? I promise you it's not a bunch of faithful Christians. Generally speaking, the media is liberal.





Ok exactly how does the media CAUSE teen pregnancy? Can you show one study that backs that up? Also, you apparently haven't ever left the US because the media in Europe is WAY more "sexual" than here. It's more graphic, sex is used more frequently, it contains actual nudity, etc. AND it's way less of a deal there. The world has not ended because a child has seen a woman's nipple on television! And seeing sex in the media doesn't correlate to teenagers not understanding how to use a condom there. I don't think American teenagers are any stupider, OR any more sexual, they're just less educated.













There are no Atheist/atheism dominated countries

4Him: The funny thing is most of the countries you name were founded on christian principles - The US and much of western Europe.

What were Christian principles?



The funny thing is that most of the European countries have evolved beyond the so-called Christian principles, and have since moved on.. and that is why they are examplary today. What were Christian principles?The funny thing is that most of the European countries have evolved beyond the so-called Christian principles, and have since moved on.. and that is why they are examplary today.

Teediggz: Contrary to this report Japan is a Shintoist nation with lots of Bu-dist derivatives notably Zen. The UK the highest teenage pregnancy in Europe, higher than Liberal Holland.

First, Shintoism is not a custodial religion. It is more of a philosophical system with symbolic rituals.

Shintoism does not acknowledge the existence of a custodial deity. It is more of a codification of cultural practices from Japanese antiquity.

So, Japanese are bona fide atheists.



As for teen pregnancy in the Uk, a simple statistical analysis shows that most cases of teen pregnancy are among black British teens, notably of Carribean descent. The mains reasons being economic deprivation , as well as religious and cultural factors.

The highest levels of births outside marriage in the Uk, more than 60 per cent, were among Black British mothers.



So, here again, religion and economic status confirm the op's theme. First, Shintoism is not a custodial religion. It is more of a philosophical system with symbolic rituals.Shintoism does not acknowledge the existence of a custodial deity. It is more of a codification of cultural practices from Japanese antiquity.So, Japanese are bona fide atheists.As for teen pregnancy in the Uk, a simple statistical analysis shows that most cases of teen pregnancy are among black British teens, notably of Carribean descent. The mains reasons being economic deprivation , as well as religious and cultural factors.The highest levels of births outside marriage in the Uk, more than 60 per cent, were among Black British mothers.So, here again, religion and economic status confirm the op's theme.

Ibime:



Sharrap dia! Do you think I even bothered to read your list? So USA is not on the list? If so, USA is not on the list because although it is the richest country in the world, the rich-poor divide is too large. Crime in the US would be as a result of the 'economics of envy' - and lax gun laws.



Rich countries have no incentives to commit crime



Communist countries do not commit crime because of strict authoritarian regimes and because there is no real difference in the standard of living of the people.



Anyway, back to religion - what does aetheism have to do with reduction in crime?



What are the communist countries on the list?

Aside from North Korean, do we still have communist countries?



You don't seem to know the difference between a socialist country and a communist country.

What a shame. What are the communist countries on the list?Aside from North Korean, do we still have communist countries?You don't seem to know the difference between a socialist country and a communist country.What a shame. 1 Like

isn't china still comunnist country?

Atheist vs Christian crime rates. Your headline is deceptive. Better would have been "predominantly atheist countries have lower crime rate than developed christian countries".

I live in austria and religion and state are different but we are a christian country, we didnot have so much fake christians than nigeria, what for us is important is the human rights and that make a country a better country.

Very interesting discussions going on here.





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I'll go with the people out here. You made some interesting points. - By latest movie hd apk android app. The discussion is getting enthralling just like a movie or tv show. Hope everything is going to be good. 1 Like