analubalitious (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

The fundamental problem with religion and morality is that most religions foster and nurture faith, which is belief without evidence. This is not 'good thinking'. Once people start these thought patterns, they may become more intense, or spread to other domains. Combine faith with 'derived from God' and ANYTHING may be justified. I propose that religious practices GENERALLY promote thought patterns that stifle moral processes. Is religion needed for morality? Quite the opposite, actually.

TheDashboardSaint (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

For when the Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus (Rom 2:14-16Paul says morality is innate in those who never heard the Law. Religion = Not Necessary

ballyboneman (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

Supply the evidence.

jammoexii (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

Sure.

rjbonacolta (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

I could foward you some links if you'd like.

jammoexii (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

I don't know the facts or the stats and so I can't disagree with you.

rjbonacolta (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

It doesn't, in fact religious people are more likley to be repeat ofenders than non religious people.

rjbonacolta (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

Actually there is a direct link between religion and sex crimes, as many case studies show you, including the UCR. And many violent crimes, as I'm sure you're aware, are insipred by religion. So while my statement might have been terse, it is supported by evidence.

jammoexii (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

I have a lot of issues with the morals that different churches espouse, and I definitely don't accept their theology, I'm not a religious person. But in my experience it's almost universal that a person who is religious and is willing to get involved in almost any church will find a lot of love and companionship there, and that can be very good for a person. Whether or not this reduces crime rates I don't know, but it certainly could.

ballyboneman (January 1, 1970 at 12:59 am)

Correlation does not mean causation; you realise that right? The causes of crime are infinitely more complex than your statement implies and it's just makes one look a bit foolish to draw simplistic generalisations from such a complex situation.