POLL: Are atheists more likely to commit crime?

FelixDeCat · May 25, 2006

No one has ever even bothered to check, but I wonder if the majority of crime is commited by those who dont believe in God.

Does it matter?

While no one is perfect, including those that believe in God, I would think that knowing that God is watching you all the time and that you will have to account for wrong doing (sins) does prevent them (to some degree) from commiting crime.

For example, if you kill in cold blood, you go to hell. You can ask for forgiveness from God, but only He can forgive you. Which means He can chose not to, especially if it isnt sincere. And that also doesnt mean you wont be locked up or executed for the crime as well. That includes "thrill killing".

Wouldnt an immoral atheist or agnostic believe that "everything is ok, as long as you dont get caught?", like rape, murder or grand theft....heck even petty things like keying someones car?

Your input?

arcenite · May 25, 2006

No. In fact, many crimes are committed in the name of god. Law & Order FTW!

eflat · May 25, 2006

Well since they are obviously more intelligent than average, they probably commit less crime

spaceghost21 · May 25, 2006

So basically, the only way I can be a moral person is to go to church?

DainBramaged · May 25, 2006

All people have a sin nature and are equally likely to break man's laws.

FelixDeCat · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: spaceghost21
So basically, the only way I can be a moral person is to go to church?

No, you can be a moral atheist.

imported_LoKe · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
Well since they are obviously more intelligent than average, they probably commit less crime

Correction : They're less likely to be caught for committing said crime.

Reliant · May 25, 2006

Atheists still know right from wrong.

notfred · May 25, 2006

They're more likely to shoot you in the face for being an annyoing, bigoted, flamebaiting asshole.

Why the hell wouldn't an athiest have morals? Are you too fvcking stupid to even consider the possibility that some people's morals don't stem from what they read in a book that was *supposedly* inspired by god, but maybe from somewhere else, like thier conscience or philosophy?

dullard · May 25, 2006

Athiesm has nothing to do with lack of morals.

Athiests don't commit crimes because they feel crime is wrong. Are you saying Thiests would commit crime if it weren't for fear? Who's more moral (a) the person who believes it is wrong to commit crimes or (b) the person who avoids it from fear of punishment?

FelixDeCat · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: notfred
They're more likely to shoot you in the face for being an annyoing, bigoted, flamebaiting asshole.

Why the hell wouldn't an athiest have morals? Are you too fvcking stupid to even consider the possibility that some people's morals don't stem from what they read in a book that was *suppoedly* inspired by god, but maybe from somewhere else, like thier conscious or philosophy?

I did not say that. I said "immoral" atheist, which means there can be both.

z42 · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
All people have a sin nature and are equally likely to break man's laws.

Kadarin · May 25, 2006

You imply that if a person is religious, then therefore they have morals. I am not certain that's a valid assumption for everyone.

astrocase · May 25, 2006

All crimes are committed by religious people. A survey of prison populations found that 100% of all prisoners pray to god daily.

astrocase · May 25, 2006

Which further implies that non-religious people are more intelligent since they never get caught or found guilty.

IronWing · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
All people have a sin nature and are equally likely to break man's laws.

What a depressing religion.

notfred · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
I did not say that. I said "immoral" atheist, which means there can be both.

Oh, so you mean an immoral athiest would commit more crimes than an immoral christian, then, because they don't think anyone's watching? An immoral christian would think god was watching, and therefore not commit the crime?

Considering that christianity in the US teaches that you will be forgiven for absolutely *anything* that you do wrong, as long as you beleive in Jesus, then I don't see why that would make a difference.

Mani · May 25, 2006

Actually the atheists I know of are the least likely people I could ever imagine committing a crime.

And while some religious people may think twice because they believe God is watching, others believe God is on their side, which they interpret to be a license to do whatever the hell it takes in His name. Others believe that as long as they repent afterward and pray forgiveness for their sins, they will be ok. Want examples? Take your pick of any gangster (or gangsta) in existence.

FelixDeCat · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
You imply that if a person is religious, then therefore they have morals. I am not certain that's a valid assumption for everyone.

I said no one is perfect, and both commit crimes, but I would think that those that dont believe they will have to account to a higher power are likely, if so inclined to commit crime.

linkgoron · May 25, 2006

I always laugh when I see girls in porn that have crosses and stuff... Sure it's not a crime or anything, but it still makes me laugh. Religion...

Falloutboy · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: astrocase
Which further implies that non-religious people are more intelligent since they never get caught or found guilty.

BINGO!

FelixDeCat · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
I did not say that. I said "immoral" atheist, which means there can be both.

Click to expand...

Oh, so you mean an immoral athiest would commit more crimes than an immoral christian, then, because they don't think anyone's watching? An immoral christian would think god was watching, and therefore not commit the crime?

Considering that christianity in the US teaches that you will be forgiven for absolutely *anything* that you do wrong, as long as you beleive in Jesus, then I don't see why that would make a difference.

You are only forgiven if God forgives you. Its not just for the asking. And you will know by your conscious the difference.

dullard · May 25, 2006

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
I said no one is perfect, and both commit crimes, but I would think that those that dont believe they will have to account to a higher power are likely, if so inclined to commit crime.

Those who believe in a higher power believe they can be forgiven and no punishment will occur. Those who don't believe in a higher power avoid crime because crime is wrong.

jagec · May 25, 2006

While the answer is no (most people are atheists in practice, if not in name), this forum will vote that way for all the wrong reasons.

yhelothar · May 25, 2006

Nope, but the opposite is probably more true.
More people has been killed in the name of god than for any other reason.

"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." - Blaise Pascal

POLL: Are atheists more likely to commit crime?

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