Believing In Hell Equals Lower Crime Rate!

[Donna6503]

Basically, if one just believes in heaven alone (no hell) will feel free to commit more crimes.

Apparently if you believe in hell, you’re less likely to commit a crime, according to a study published by two U.S. professors, who say that countries with a belief in hell have lower crime rates than those who have a greater belief in heaven.

Newser reports that the researchers searched for mentions of heaven, hell, and God in surveys taken by more than 143,000 participants in 67 countries from the years 1981 until 2007,

The Daily Mail notes that the two researchers found, “Rates of belief in heaven and hell had significant, unique, and opposing effects on crime rates. Belief in hell predicted lower crime rates…whereas belief in heaven predicted higher crime rates.

Professor Azim Shariff, professor of psychology and director of the University of Oregon’s Culture and Morality Lab, stated:

“The key finding is that, controlling for each other, a nation’s rate of belief in hell predicts lower crime rates, but the nation’s rate of belief in heaven predicts higher crime rates,and these are strong effects.”

According to Newser, he wrote an article, which asserted that undergraduate students who believed in a forgiving God were more likely to cheat than those who believed in a punishing God. Prof Shariff explained that, “There is less of a divine deterrent.” Another article published in 2003 by Harvard researchers found that developed countries tended to perform better economically if the population believed in hell more so than heaven.

Professor Shariff went on to say that:

“I think it’s an important clue about the differential effects of supernatural punishment and supernatural benevolence. The finding is consistent with controlled research we’ve done in the lab, but here shows a powerful “real world” effect on something that really affects people – crime.”

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/262882/believing-in-hell-equals-lower-crime-rate-study/#

I think this study is your basic "no duh" type of study. I really don't think you need 26 years to figure this report to be true.

[doomshroom]

lol

Quoting sweet-a-kins:

Me too


Only sometimes I'm still an asshole

Quoting doomshroom:

wow. well, i can't speak for everyone else, but i don't believe in either, and i have outstanding morals. the only illegal thing i do is smoke pot occasionally, and that law really has nothing to do with morality.

i am not good because i fear punishment or expect reward, but simply because i'm not an asshole.

[MeAndTommyLee]

It is said that one has to be genuinely sorry for their sins and God knows what is in your heart. 

Quoting heidimoose134:

Why would anyone be afraid of hell if all they have to do is repent and accept Christ in order to get into heaven? 

[FrogSalad]

Quoting Donna6503:

The basic modern American church really don't teach on the subject of hell.

In fact, the neighborhood church is more concern with entertainment and marketing; making Jesus out to be a "cool dude" more than a "savior"

Using crime rate of this country really proves the point.

Quoting FrogSalad:

So that's why the US has such a low crime rate?

Maybe in your experience.  That hasn't been mine.

[Donna6503]

This is how the study would fit; because, it isn't about theology as much as you (the general "you") think.

Are you more or less likely to speed; if you know the cop or trooper ( the hell concept of punishment ) is right behind you. Honestly, I think you would say less likely to speed. Which is really the main focus of this study in its' treatment of "hell" the focus on people who believes it has an affect of their afterlife status.

Quoting punky3175:

I don't believe in hell and I would never dream of committing a crime (other than speeding.)

[FromAtoZ]

It depends on the individual and their beliefs, how true they are to them, their character, so many elements.

Plenty of people believe in Hell yet go on to commit all types of crimes.

[romalove]

 

Quoting muslimahpj:

Quoting heidimoose134:

Why would anyone be afraid of hell if all they have to do is repent and accept Christ in order to get into heaven? 

Exactly. When you have no fear of being judged on your deeds, then you will have no fear of doing anything, especially if you are taught to believe that all you have to do is say a few words and all is forgiven, no matter what it is you have done.

 Beg to differ here.  I have no fear of being judged on my deeds, but I have a conscience that knows right from wrong, and that guides me in life to do good instead of harm.

[muslimahpj]

Of course God knows the intent and whats in our hearts, but, do they still recieve some sort of punishment or do they get to go straight into heaven? What I remember from my church days, is it's all good, once you say those words, you will not recieve any type of punishment.

So, why try to do good and what's right if you arent going to receive any type of punishment for your wrong doings?

Quoting MeAndTommyLee:

It is said that one has to be genuinely sorry for their sins and God knows what is in your heart. 

Quoting heidimoose134:

Why would anyone be afraid of hell if all they have to do is repent and accept Christ in order to get into heaven? 

[romalove]

 I think this is just a fancy way of saying that fear of punishment is a more powerful motivator to people than a promise of reward.

As in all things, this is a generalization, and there will be many people who are otherwise motivated.

[muslimahpj]

Quoting romalove:

 

Quoting muslimahpj:

Quoting heidimoose134:

Why would anyone be afraid of hell if all they have to do is repent and accept Christ in order to get into heaven? 

Exactly. When you have no fear of being judged on your deeds, then you will have no fear of doing anything, especially if you are taught to believe that all you have to do is say a few words and all is forgiven, no matter what it is you have done.

 Beg to differ here.  I have no fear of being judged on my deeds, but I have a conscience that knows right from wrong, and that guides me in life to do good instead of harm.

Im speaking on the beliefs of a particular faith, not in general.

[lga1965]

 

Quoting punky3175:

I don't believe in hell and I would never dream of committing a crime (other than speeding.)

 Same here!  I really believe that Hell is on Earth and we create it by ourselves and have to suffer our own personal hell.

Criminals don't care if there is a heaven or hell, but the big time church goers who commit crimes ( and they do ) figure that no matter what they do, if they accept Jesus Christ as their savior, they can avoid going to hell anyway. Ha. Its crazy,isn't it?