The trend towards secularity in the Unites States has people wondering if the crime rate will go up or down. Is there any correlation between religion and crime? Are religious people less likely to commit a crime? Do unreligious people lack a moral code or the ethical judgment that religion provides? That is what we want to find out.
Studies show that about 1 in every 3 adults in the Unites States are religiously unaffiliated, that is 20% of the population. A large number of those people are also not in search for religious beliefs. Some conclude that atheism and secularity actually affect society in a positive way rather than a negative because religion causes segregation. The growing theory is that if there is less religious affiliation, there is room for more world peace. Adding on to that, many people see a negative correlation between religion and crime because some people are persuaded to commit crimes with religious zeal and motivation.
Others say that it all depends on the type of God that people worship and believe in. When individuals believe in a very forgiving God, are there more accounts of violent crimes? Or if people have a very real fear of God do they refrain from criminal activity due to a fear of going to hell? The belief of heaven and hell is extremely relevant to this argument.
Studies have been conducted by looking at the crime rate of all 50 states individually and they have actually formulated a list of the 10 most peaceful states and the 10 least peaceful states. Of the 10 most peaceful states including: Maine, New Hapshire, Vermont, Minnesota, North Dakota, Utah, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Iowa and Washington, six of those are considered to be less religious. Looking at Utah however, it holds the second highest percentage of religious Americans in all 50 states and it is also peaceful.
The 10 least peaceful states include: Louisiana, Tennessee, Nevada, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Maryland. Of those 10, six of them fall into the more religious category. Nevada, home of sin city, has a very low percentage of religious Americans and is also one of the least peaceful states in the U.S.
There definitely does seem to be a correlation between crime and religion, and the specific God beliefs do ultimately play a role. There are however, many other variables that can cause a rise in crime rate, such as lack of education and poverty. If you have been arrested for a crime, take swift legal action and protect your rights against the prosecution. Call the Valencia criminal defense attorneys from our firm today!
