'religious Places' And Crime Rate.

[Khandro]

In a recent study researchers at the University of Manchester suggested that there was a direct correlation between a higher number of visits to 'religious places' and low crime figures. Not only did young people (the study covered those between 18 and 34) who attended a church, mosque or whatever, show far less propensity to commit crime - especially shoplifting, drug-taking and music piracy - but the more often they went to these places, the less likely still they were to commit these crimes.
Can anyone explain this please?

[Zacs-Master]

Some possible reasons here Khandro:
http://www.skepticink.com/nocrossnocrescent/2014/01/15/religious-people-are-more-law-abiding-either-that-or-irreligious-people-are-more-honest/

[vulcan42]

perhaps the theists who were questioned lied.

[IggyB]

People who attend church self reporting their own likelihood of committing crimes in the future; it doesn't sound like a very reliable survey technique does it. Like zacs link it would be a lot more interesting to review actual criminality levels.

[naomi24]

//Can anyone explain this please? //

I doubt it, at least not conclusively. The researchers can't explain it - although they do say "'But they [the findings] are not necessarily a blow to the proponents of atheism: religious practice is just one way of gaining exposure to the pro-social behavioural norms that are at the heart of this relationship; other, more secular, activities may equally serve a similar role.'//

.... that's presuming this is the report you're talking about. Could be the Mail's headline is spinning - just a little?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2539100/How-religion-cuts-crime-Attending-church-makes-likely-shoplift-drugs-download-music-illegally.html

[solvitquick]

Peer-pressure, wealth and local "political" or professional ambition. Any pressure-factor which would ruin your hopes or ambitions if church-going were not on your agenda.
Ever heard of a U.K. monarch or prime minister who dissavowed the established church post-Henry VIII?
Many hypocritical atheists are regular church-goers because they must appeal to their employers, the electorate their neighbours etc.
Anyway it's about being caught in the act, not actual practices.
SIQ.

[pixie373]

From wiki

//Every three months, the Ministry of Justice collects data, including religious affiliation, of UK prisoners and is published as the Offender Management Caseload Statistics.[140] This data is then compiled into reports and published in the House of Commons library. In June 2011 the prison population of England and Wales was recorded as 50% Christian, 13% Muslim, 2% Buddhist, 3% other religions and 31% no religion.[141]//

[naomi24]

So 67% of prison inmates claim a religion. Food for thought Khandro ... no?

[bibblebub]

Watch Judge Judy and see the number of people who say that they go to church regularly, might even be preachers, and think that is a character reference, that they wouldn't get up to no good; that might be in America but no surprise if it is much the same over here.

[sandyRoe]

Prison inmates who claim a religion get out of their cells to go to a service on Sunday if they're nominal Christians. To admit to being numbered among the ungoodly unGodly means you spend longer in the cell.

[pixie373]

To be slightly more accurate- the wiki statistics for religions in prison are very similar to the general population, suggesting religion (or lack of) doesn't affect crime rates.

[Zacs-Master]

Yet another post where the OP hasn't joined in.

[Khandro]

Naomi; //So 67% of prison inmates claim a religion. Food for thought Khandro ... no?//
Well no, the 'claiming' of a religion by prisoners is not what the OP is about, (please read it again) This is distinctly different from those who are part of the regular congregations at 'religious places'. What you should address is, how many of them would you estimate are behind bars?

[pixie373]

Maybe you could tell us, khandro? You've seen the research.

[emmie]

don't believe that for a minute.

[naomi24]

Khandro, //This is distinctly different from those who are part of the regular congregations at 'religious places'. //

Why is it? Do you know that the prisoners who claim religion weren't members of religious congregations before they were banged up?

[Khandro]

^ Do you really think so? Pardon me if I :-)

[naomi24]

No, actually Khandro, I don’t – but the conclusion reached by the study wasn’t necessarily that people who belong specifically to religious groups are less likely to commit crime, but that people who are exposed to ‘the pro-social behavioural norms’ in other areas too are also less likely to commit crime. I think you’re flogging a dead horse with this one.

[pixie373]

Could you answer my question, please, khandro? What are the statistics or evidence that we're talking about?

[Khandro]

Well you can pick and choose the bits you like, but what I am proposing is that young people attending services at religious places are far less likely to commit crimes than those who do not.
This might be to do with the fact that the Bible, the Koran and the various precepts of Buddhism etc. teaches you not to 'nick stuff, shag around, get out of your skull on any available narcotics, or urinate in the doorway of JD Sports while eating a kebab at three o'clock in the morning', (and a few other things).

[pixie373]

Ah. Just read naomi's link- so no statistics or anything for comparison. Interesting statement in there that they decided not to include "serious crimes" in the study.