An intriguing new study suggests how religious belief can have measurable effect on secular society.
In recent years, research findings have indicated that individuals with strong religious faith are happier, have better health outcomes, and show greater flexibility during times of crisis than people without religious practice. But beyond individuals, on a broader social scale, how does religious belief matter?
Well, it turns out there’s a clear indication that the type of belief does make a difference beyond the individual. As reported in the June 2012 issue of PLoS ONE, the online journal of the Public Library of Science, there is a direct relationship between crime rates and the degree to which citizens believe in hell.
Small-scale laboratory testing has shown that people who believe in hell cheat less than those who believe in heaven. At the University of Oregon, psychologist Azim F. Shariff wondered if those beliefs might carry over to influence society at large, and with statistician Mijke Rhemtulla at the University of Kansas he went looking for an answer.
The two analyzed large datasets from 67 countries, with a total of 143,197 people, regarding belief in hell, belief in heaven, belief in God, and religious attendance. The data about belief were analyzed relative to those for the ten crimes for which the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had reliable statistics: homicide, robbery, rape, kidnapping, assault, theft, drug crime, auto theft, burglary, and human trafficking. Shariff reports,
As predicted, rates of belief in heaven and hell had significant, unique, and opposing effects on crime rates.
Whereas belief in hell predicted lower crime rates, belief in heaven predicted higher crime rates, both at the same level of significance, p<.001.
The report continues: “Controlling for the effect of belief in heaven, a 1 SD [standard deviation, a measure of confidence] increase in belief in hell resulted in an almost 2 SD decrease in national crime rate; conversely, controlling for the effect of hell, a 1 SD increase in belief in heaven resulted in an almost 2 SD increase in national crime rate. Analyzing each crime individually revealed the same significant pattern of effects for 8 of the 10 individual crimes (kidnapping and human trafficking excepted).”
You can read the entire article here, with its detailed description of methodology and statistical findings.
What are we to make of this uncomfortable information? Should it surprise us? Clearly, although this is likely not to be a popular finding except in conservative religious settings, the psychological and moral implications need thought. Will our personal security be at risk as more and more people claim to be “spiritual but not religious”? Is a higher crime rate merely the inconvenient price of a more compassionate spirituality? And just what is the intersection between psychology, sociology, and theology among post-moderns who prefer to focus on individuation as central?
Plenty to think about.
Yes, plenty to think about.
While living in Spain during the last three years of Franco’s Dictatorship, I actually lived “It Takes a Village” amongst the people. Predominately Catholic, the people celebrated many Saints throughout the year. On Christmas Day, the celebrated the birth of Jesus. On January 6, the exchanged small gifts as they believed how the Magi orvthree wise men, found Jesus with their token gifts.
Meanwhile, the Guadia (police) patrolled wearing black uniforms, tall boots, strange looking hats, and long capes when chilly. Much awed and respected, they were. Imposing too with small machine like guns strapped to them. You could get a ticket for kissing on the lips in public, or so I was told.
People watched over everyones children, and they were cherishised, loved and doted upon by people smiling, kissing their cheeks, delighted in every little thing they learned. Not by things and stuff that could be bought. Yet each baby was given small gold rings and necklaces. Not just for tradition, but just in case needed to survive. Was the start of their treasure chest because the Elders remembered the civil war. Paper money could not be fully trusted, for it could be subject to change and be of no value.
Women marketed wearing colorful house coats because coats were expensive, but sacrifided to make sure the children had coats. When a person waled into a small market, everyone greeted them in a chorus, and was made to feel welcome. If someone hollored for help, everyone within hearimg came running. You could walk the street, day or night, and not worry or fear of a purse snatcher. No one locked their doors. You were always “company ready” for guest to call at yoour door for very few had telephones.
Other than being utterly terrifide by a “monk” aka as the gatekeeper or angel of death every year, was the happiest time of my life in many respects, and the last few months I felt destroyed and devistated. My world collapsed for me and my young children for my then husband had fallen in love with another. Afterwards, not thinking things could get worse, I experienced a diistressing “death” that completly shattered me and my beliefs. That is a story itself, and the “monk” came again.
I digress. Back to Spain I took my children many years later. Scraped enough money to give them a combined High School graduation gift. Something they could keep forever. Adventure of another culture. Money could be spent, a car worn out, but this was something that would last their lives.
The only thing certain was our plain tickets, the rest was on a wing and a prayer. Even got too give them the experience of France that we rode to and slept in trains. Even the goofs and with small mistakes like directions, it was perfect. But I felt sadness for my second home, Spain.
My beloved Spanairds had a new government. A democracy. With their new freedoms of speech, free press, even poronography, etc., it came with a price. People wore coats, yet had to lock their doors. Had telephones, yet burglars scaled walls to break in. Children had lots of “stuff” but parents suspiscious of strangers. You had to clutch your purse, wallet, everything.
Yet, me and my children were always safe. Literal strangers, like human angels, gravited to us. I think in part because I still loved Spain and was trusted by those who loved her still, the memory of when they had so much less and considered poorl yet so absolutely blessed with richness that could not ever be held, bought or sold.
While I lived there, it was far more about respect and the Golden Rule. The Spaniards did not talk about hell. Nor lived in fear. Even with Guadias patrolling. They were actually very kind and helpful. The illusion was imposing. Imagine like anywhere there were some bad apples. With the press having little freedom, imagine some heinious crimes were not printed.
It was not part of my experience. But will say my children knew they could trust we’d get through, because I trusted Spirit. And could easily find the humor in mishaps.
I wish the old and new Spain had intergrated more easily. In accepting the new Spain and going with the flow, it was really a great experience smack full of adventure. Was around 20 years ago, feels like 200.
So, yes, can give one a lot to think about. But, I can tell you from my experience, the old Spain and the people lived and gave out of love. Not fear. The fear iis in new Spain. Some how, I feel things will get balanced. To me, less IS best. Regarding trying to have more, keep up with the Jonse’ and not easy tio hear or see greed and the pain/suffering it causes. I know.
Thank you for reading and for the opportunity go share.
Blessings,
SageN
Sage, so many thanks for this rich background! So, when the village is operating from love, the absence of crime is a cultural byproduct; and when that dynamic changes and fear takes over, in come belief in hell and a higher crime rate. Should tell us something…
Blessings, indeed.
Several years back I had a mystical event wherein I was at a “place” of perspective observing the suffering of the planet writ large. I was accompanied by a Being that was somehow responsible for my being there and this experience. In that place and in that state and in that knowing and awareness, I understood, or was given to understand, the purpose and necessity of suffering and – I concurred. I said “yes” to it.
When I was returned to time and space I was astounded by the experience and while I was unable to retrieve the knowing and understanding that I experienced “there” I did bring back the awareness that I knew something “there” that caused me to concur, to say “yes” to suffering, that it has purpose and is somehow necessary.
Of course I avoid suffering, I rail against, I do whatever I can to mitigate it, all with the remembrance of that experience. While I do not expect my experience to be evidence for anyone it is nonetheless evidence for me that our dramas and traumas are not accidental or an error in the order of things. Not that we should be passive in the face of them but they are in the service of something. Now what that service is or who/what is ultimately served I cannot answer.
Will our personal security be at risk as more and more people claim to be “spiritual but not religious”?
Throughout human history, more actual crime, atrocities, and out and out horror have been perpetrated on mankind by religious fundamentalists. Put God on your side, and anything goes. This goes on as we speak.
Priests and choir boys, the “send your dollar here” evangelists. Jim Jones, the list goes on. I’ll take spiritual which to me means ever expanding inner self realization.
In saying this I also say there are truly benevolent people within the ranks of the religious who do succeed at this.
I have had a lot of “street” experience and have been robbed, cheated, and conned. I have been personally and deeply effected by death there too.
Spiritual is “walking the Walk” before the talk, without the mythical threatening club of retribution hanging over your head.
Maybe what makes people behave better is the sense that there will be some kind of accountability for one’s actions, that this life counts in some fundamental way. That doesn’t mean eternal damnation necessarily. Even the blissful experiences have some sort of life review, not in a punitive way, but as a way to learn and evolve.
I also agree with Dave. Fear is not a great basis for behavior and often has a paradoxical effect. For instance, I’ve read some other studies that indicate that fear of a punitive god leads to despair, projection, demonizing the other, etc.
Somebody (Dostoevsky?) said “Without God anything is possible.” Maybe what he was getting at is that without some kind of spiritual perspective, or sense of a purpose bigger than this life, anything is possible?
A good half-dozen books about religious fundamentalism show that the havoc created by fear of a punitive god is pervasive and very real.
The view that without God anything is lawful certainly speaks to the question of how we (as humans) construct a morality. I recently stumbled upon a really fascinating exposition about this quote–with a rebuttal I’ve not yet read–which could start a whole new discussion. Time to go back and reread The Brothers Karamazov. Fascinating! http://www.infidels.org/kiosk/article42.html
As in Avatar the movie, I my spirit inhabits a body. In livinng my 78th year My Avatar is a moth eaten sack pf aches and pains, and like a bald tire, needs a retread. Within my spirtit is stronger that ever. I’d say my body ages around my spirit which is truly me. what else are we but spirit.
I hear you!
Dear Madam Bush,
My quotation on the previous article “Hymns to an ….”, was misunderstood by my friend Guillermo,but I tried to remove the misunderstanding with my second reply.So here and now is good time to remember my view again. in my first quotation in that article I said,” we must concentrate on which idea is better for us in this life”, I myself have come to realize that those believe in Heaven,Hell,or Karma become more peaceful and merciful.This idea ,as we see in this article,”Heaven,hell …is being approved .
When I say believe in God is good,I mean true and pure belief not for cheating.
At last,it seems my first vague quotation on the article,”Hymns to ….”, has open the gate for later discussions that I take it omen ,hope so.
With my best regards.
Isa, you are very gracious. Without the help of body language and tone of voice to help us along, misunderstandings pop up easily in written conversations like these blog comments. It is especially likely when, as here, people are writing outside their first language. However, as you have done, we come back, explain what we meant, and keep on with the conversation. Thank you!
Dear Mrs.Nancy E.Bush, You said it all, masterly, thank you very much.
It is like you are reading my mind about this, and as you said replying other quote …”so many things I wish I could have said…” and I was not able to put in words in a foreing and new language, that is why I tried to be conservative and did not post a following reply to my dear friend Isa.
Allow me to say to my esteemed friend Isa that your point is very clear and perfectly understood, and I appreciate very much your reply to my comment.
Thank you so much for this opportunity.-
And I appreciate very much both of you. 🙂
Dear Mrs.Bush,and dear Guillermo,
As I can see we will know each other more as our communication goes on. First I would like to thank you both for your replying. In fact,there will remain so much to say about the subject matter we are expressing to each other in this through,and I think if I wanted to express my personal view on that ,I would have found need for a pool full of ink ,and we would need life time as long as Noah(pls.take it as a proverb).But I can only dare to take your time this brief with apology. In my first and vague comment.I pointed out “we better keep it personal”,I did not mean we don’t discuss about it.I meant what ,I think, has been proved in all along the history of man on this earth and still being so,that is,unfortunately false believers and fanatics have always misuse and grab the situation to their benefit and politico-socially have pushed the true believers in a dark corner.I had always asked myself this question,”why Jesus must be crucified”until so many years ago since I found the answer through my deep study . And I know You have found it too for sure.
That was why I said,”we better keep it personal rather than social”.
Finally I appreciate your patience reading my vague view points.
With my true and warm regards.
Peace upon all,
I could not stop myself writing about this subject mater .So I do it and try to make it as brief as I can .In general I have learned to respect all views of others,as I love others do this to that of mine.
Through my life experience I have reached to the following points as far as this subject is concerned. Those who keep themselves from committing crime and wrong doing for the fear of Hell,although is generally good,are not basing their act upon a firm and stable platform .It shows ,psychologically,that this fear can be extended to their daily affairs and relationship with others,that is,whenever they face with others more powerful than themselves may try to act good,but how about when they are facing with those weaker?,and when they see no punishment?.I call this group of people”fearful”.And about the other group that I call them “pleasure seeking” who,psychologically,seeking pleasure even in their other life.In my view non of the above mentioned groups have not discovered God yet,and are not God conscious.So, which is the best group ?,.I believe it is those who love God and his creation,those who try to know God with wisdom,those who try to know themselves well first (self consciousness),these peoples ‘acts are based on love and mercy because they know God as the main source of love and mercy,rather than the source of revenge and reward.They do good because good is good.They do not do bad because bad is not good.These people try to be helpful to others not for any returns.This is the meaning of the saying of Jesus ,”when you do something good with your right hand,hide it from your left hand”.I always wish a day we all understand what the Lord said.
Devotee of all beneficents of the past,present,and future Isa
Ii think it was Thoreau who said that our morals are simply a slavery to fear.
One of the things that chaps me about some New Age theological ‘truths’ (yep, it is theology) is the doctrine that once we “leave this earth’s plane”, we look back over our life review, feel bad about a few things, learn our lesson, then move on.
Uh huh. And after kids are caught with their hands in the cookie jar by their parents, they don’t take cookies without permission ever again. Better yet, do felons who have time to contemplate the impact of their crimes on their victims (while in jail) commit the same crimes again? Some do, some don’t.
The point is, I don’t have the inside skinny on the details of afterlife judgement, but building a personal belief system around it is focusing on the wrong thing. We need to forgive as we wish to be forgiven in our daily life. See the criminal, or at least the potential to be a criminal in ourself when we look at the other criminal. The lesson is here, right now, not *there*.
Let’s deal with what we have on the plate in front of our face and let God sort it out.
Hear, hear! So very much focus on spirit and on what happens when we die (or afterward), just think what might happen if we put that energy into how we are living here, now, today. Thanks, RD.
If you wat to get to heaven, find it HERE within you before you go. Case closed.
Speaking as someone who’s had direct contact experience with convicted fellons both in and out of jail, you’re dead on the money with this Dawg. I’ll also say the same for those who run the jails,
Thank you so much dear Madam,
I will keep being online to hear from you.
Isa
To me, this study indicates that unfortunately men is more receptive to fear that love.
But then again, this is old news,
Regards
I have to agree. Regretfully. Some few of us are trying to learn otherwise!
May be in the study is underlying not only a fear factor , but also the idea of a Moral Law (as a natural Law of decent human behaviour) that some people believe is present in every human being in all ages and cultures.
In the case we admit the real existence of that human nature law ,hell and also heaven are logical consequences of the law and our behaviour, so we better behave, and that is seeing in the population under study.
But in some people a belief in the existence of a moral law for all human kind, and their consequences of a heaven but also of a hell, may be also present but weakened by their strong belief in heaven and the childish idea that if they follow a group of religious rules or religious dogmas it is all OK and heaven is waiting for them anyway no matter how good or bad is their behaviour.
And the others (strong believers of the existence of hell) may say:well, taking into consideration that regarding to, hell, heaven and ourselves is all about Truth, because in the very end we can not hide anything, again we better behave.
Yes. And all of it based on our human ideas about how things should work.
I agree Nan. “how things should work”. this is the genisis of “coulda’ woulda’ shoulda”, the slippery slide of human reationalization.
In nature, survive, get what you need to survive and reproduce are the basic drives of all life. A vine crawling up a tree and strangeling it in order to get its leaves to the sun is equivelent to a corporate takeover.
All conflict in nature perpatrated by any means necessary revolves around these three basic drives. The human world is no different, even though we deny it.
With us, love and caring for all life and its process, if we are spiritually evolved to the point where we are truly capable of feeling this way, is the goal.
Yes, nature is barbaric, but the majority of the human condition is no different. God, if you want to call it that, designed and created all of this.
Dave’s is pointing a reality and it is true.Conflicts are preparatory in nature ,but I see it as a profound and nice phenomenon .Evolution comes out of this conflict in human life As an exceptional creature who can evolve .This exception makes me think about,and ask why?,why we are rewarded this opportunity?,and how we should take advantage of it?.Once upon a time he lived like animals and dominated completely by mother nature while now is dominating the mother.But the question here is,has the human relation been evolved equally?. We must think about the answer,if not why?.My answer is again because of conflict. There exist factors against this hold back evolution and factors for it.Our responsibility is to discover these two contradictory factors.The remedy lies in this recognition.
With my best regards.