Are you more likely to commit bad deeds if you think you can get away with them?

[ChristJudgeOfAll]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief, does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

 

[GrowingSmaller]

There were the antinomianists.
Definition of antinomian. 1 : one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation (Merriam Webster)

For me its not about "getting away" with bad deeds, its only weakness of will.LAck of strategy etc. For good deeds are in ones interests. Faith and belief acted on, good deeds etc produce sakina (tranquility)... (in sha allah - god permitting)....


"While the Unbelievers got up in their hearts heat and cant - the heat and cant of ignorance,- Allah sent down His Tranquillity to his Messenger and to the Believers, and made them stick close to the command of self-restraint; and well were they entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allah has full knowledge of all things." Koran.

 

[DogmaHunter]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

Are you saying that a sinner can't be forgiven?

It seems to me that according to christian doctrine, a christian could get away with as-good-as anything. All it takes is some genuine repentence and boom: saved. Isn't that true?

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief, does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

Clearly not, as only 0.07% of inmates in federal prisons are atheists, while they account for anywhere between 5% and 10% of the population. From that data, it would seem that atheists are much less prone to engage in criminal behaviour.

 

[essentialsaltes]

does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

Although good data is hard to come by, it doesn't seem to. Explicit atheists are rare in the US population and rare in prison.

 

[bhsmte]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief, does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

On the contrary, many Christians claim on this board, all you need to do is ask Jesus for forgiveness and this forgiveness will be granted.

Sort of like, the ultimate get out of jail free card.

 

[bhsmte]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief, does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

Studies appear to indicate, crime rates are higher, in areas with a higher percentage of religious people.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blo...ation-and-facts-about-secularism-and-religion

 

[Shempster]

This makes me think about the abortion issue. There's just no way to church it up. I would think a child would even know that it is wrong to kill a human of any age.
It certainly must be true that people who support abortion have no fear of facing a God in any sort of after life.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Are you saying that a sinner can't be forgiven?

It seems to me that according to christian doctrine, a christian could get away with as-good-as anything. All it takes is some genuine repentence and boom: saved. Isn't that true?

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief, does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

Clearly not, as only 0.07% of inmates in federal prisons are atheists, while they account for anywhere between 5% and 10% of the population. From that data, it would seem that atheists are much less prone to engage in criminal behaviour.

It appears that, from this article, religious inmates are given special treatment behind bars.
Which also makes me wonder how many atheists convert to Religion during the stay in the lockup and how many of those are actually genuine?

http://thehumanist.com/commentary/n...-us-prison-system-privilege-religious-inmates

*snip*

Though atheists are clearly a minority in the US federal prison system, they still deserve the same rights and privileges given to nonreligious prisoners. Humanists have long been advocates for humane treatment of all prisoners in order to preserve their basic dignity and human rights, regardless of their crimes, and this compassion should certainly extend to atheist prisoners.
Unfortunately, just as religion—evangelical Christianity in particular—is often privileged in US society, religious inmates are often given special treatment behind bars as well.....

 

[Eudaimonist]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief

No, bad deeds only cheapen one's life. Why would I waste something in such short supply?

Incidentally, Christians can get away with murder as long as they repent before they die. Some Muslims may even think that they will be rewarded for murdering the right people, or so it seems. Exactly how do theists never get away with bad deeds?

does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

Sweden seems quite peaceful, and there are plenty of atheists about.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[bhsmte]

It appears that, from this article, religious inmates are given special treatment behind bars.
Which also makes me wonder how many atheists convert to Religion during the stay in the lockup and how many of those are actually genuine?

http://thehumanist.com/commentary/n...-us-prison-system-privilege-religious-inmates

*snip*

Though atheists are clearly a minority in the US federal prison system, they still deserve the same rights and privileges given to nonreligious prisoners. Humanists have long been advocates for humane treatment of all prisoners in order to preserve their basic dignity and human rights, regardless of their crimes, and this compassion should certainly extend to atheist prisoners.
Unfortunately, just as religion—evangelical Christianity in particular—is often privileged in US society, religious inmates are often given special treatment behind bars as well.....

I agree.

I believe, many inmates become religious, because they are in a desperate situation and the hope of a God, can help them cope.

Also, it doesn't hurt when parole time comes along and you can claim you are born again.

If you look at the regions where Christianity has grown, it is in areas were people have been suppressed; China, Russia and third world countries, were poverty and crime are out of hand and people are desperate for hope. In more advanced societies, where people have not been suppressed and standards of living are higher, Christianity has been declining for decades.

 

[Neochristian]

Good thinking. It is time for something new.

Consider that both live according to the same legal system, so both have a chance of getting caught. Also consider that sins can be forgiven, so there is a nearly equal risk of punishment.

Consider how similar the theist and the atheist are. When we are saved, the Book says we become a new creation, with a new mind, a new way of thinking. That means that a true theist puts aside the old childish ways of thinking, and acquires a new one: the theist does not refrain from doing bad deeds out of fear of getting caught, but out of the recognition that it is bad to do bad deeds.

 

[Freodin]

Good thinking. It is time for something new.

Consider that both live according to the same legal system, so both have a chance of getting caught. Also consider that sins can be forgiven, so there is a nearly equal risk of punishment.

Consider how similar the theist and the atheist are. When we are saved, the Book says we become a new creation, with a new mind, a new way of thinking. That means that a true theist puts aside the old childish ways of thinking, and acquires a new one: the theist does not refrain from doing bad deeds out of fear of getting caught, but out of the recognition that it is bad to do bad deeds.

And consider they are even more similar than that!

Only two posts above you have an atheist you clearly expressed the idea that you shouldn't do bad, because it is bad... not because you would get caught. And, oh wonder! most atheists I know hold to exactly the same position.

And all that without having to "become a new creation"... a little maturity and a measure of thinking was all it took.

 

[Eudaimonist]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

I can't get away with bad deeds either, because I know all that I intentionally do. I can never escape from myself, the harshest judge.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Therests, do they believe in the authority of secular law? It it is not "God sent" then why obey? Maybe thats why there are more religious people in jail than there ought to be?

 

[Willis Gravning]

Some one once said that our true character is revealed to us by what we do when no one is looking. But someone is always looking...ourselves.

 

[Eryk]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief, does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

I guess you're talking about consequences in the afterlife. But people have other motives. Moral people do good things out of sheer compassion. Moral people refrain from doing bad things because those things horrify their own consciences.

 

[Eudaimonist]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

Of course they can get away with them. They can apologize to God and get a "Get Out of Hell Free" card.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Davian]

A theist can never get away with bad deeds, because they know God knows all.

It is my understanding that with your religion, anything goes, as long as you believe.

But atheists certainly can get away with it under their belief,

What belief?

does this influence the crime rate between theists and atheists at all?

From what I gather, from the links in above posts, there is a statistical correlation between religiosity and higher crime rates.

Were you hoping for the opposite?