Why do you think Christians make up 75% of the prison population, and atheists 1%?

The point that was being stressed, was found in the question that was asked: 'in what universe' would it be OK. I gave my response to that question. I stand by that statement which I made.

 

Atheists who commit crimes aren't True Atheists! BLARGH!!

 

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming that you actually do understand what a rhetorical question is. Just in case you don't, though, I'll rephrase what I am quite certain was the actual point being made, to give you the opportunity to address that too:

Grouping 'unknown religion' along with 'atheist' is not useful to any analysis of this subject.

Do you disagree?

 

I for one think that if "unknown" means "we don't have data for these people's religious affiliation," then I must agree that grouping them with atheists makes no sense if one is hoping to get an accurate understanding of what percentage of prison inmates are in fact atheists.

 

Yes! I disagree. Reason. By reason of jurisprudential edict it has been declared in the United States that for the purposes of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, Atheism is a religion. What particular variety of religion is 'unknown' subsequently it is placed in the same category which includes those religions that are 'unknown'. Within all probability, there are likely to be numerous other religions to crop up which would also fall within that category because of the undisclosed or unknown nature of what is being worshiped... be it self, frogs, canaries, FSM's, or Invisible Pink Pandas. What is known by the US Supreme Court is that a prisoner (atheist at that) complained about his freedom of or from religion rights and the USSC accommodated him by granting his religious rights and declaring that Atheism is a religion for purposes of the 1st Amendment.

 

Amazing, on one hand, you will go out of your way to include agnostics and Buddhists, but, when those who have 'no religion' are icluded under atheism is a problem? Only apparently when the people who say no-religion are prisoners?

The ever changing standards of atheism are truely appalling.

 

Atheists posted it to mock it ... now when it speaks to dangers of arrogance ... well, certainly THAT is not a problem for atheists.

 

I am sure your discussions with the mods, which you admitted publically, were all tounge in cheek. And no, you don't we;come debate, you are on a personal Crusade remember?

And its 20%.

 

I don't really follow the "if it feels good, do it!" mindset, as in my personal life I've "religiously" (ha) always stayed AWAY from things such as drugs, alcohol, debauchery, hard-partying, orgies, and the like, due to my moral belief system. I certainly DON'T follow centuries-old books (because I FEAR their magical invisible friend) that approves of rape in 10 verses, and taking captive women as "wives", and having sex with a 9 year-old girl, and incest - basically, and having sex slaves, and having 4 wives, and other "if it feels good, do it!" type of things. I'd like to think I'm more moral than those books are.

I'm not saying I've NEVER done something because it feels good, but it has to be w/in the teachings of modern Secular Humanism, basically.

 

Firstly, apologies if I misunderstand what you're saying, but parts of that were a little disjointed.

Secondly, the very fact that 'unknown' contains (I would say likely comprised almost entirely of) people who did not disclose their religion is what makes this a useless conflation. They might be Christians, Muslims, scientologists, or... er... frog worshippers, I suppose, as you astutely point out. But unless they are actually atheists, they shouldn't be included with atheists in an analysis of how many atheists there are. It's not rocket surgery.

 

I welcome debate, so that people will more and more ponder (and try to debate) tough questions like "if Jesus is so darn moral than why is he fine with all Muslims, and all Jews, and all Hindus being tortured worse than Hitler could have ever dreamed of, just for choosing a different invisible super-hero?", or "where did Noah get the penguins from?"

 

Preach it, brother!

 

So, then what exactly and precisely are the standards of conduct as prescribed by modern Secular Humanism? Please provide a detailed listing, so that this discussion can continue.

 

I don't believe the numbers. As one person said, everyone get religon in prison. Lets don't mistake Sunday school christians with true believers.

 

You are right... it is not rocket surgery (never heard of a rocket being subjected to surgery)....
That is why when entering into a prison facility, forms are filled out by the inmate or by an officer of the institution by the asking of questions.... one of those questions on those forms is "what is your religious preference?". The actuality of the status is a matter of affirmation by the prisoner. The answer is taken at face value.

 

many migrated here from England where people were converted or killed if they did not believe in Christianity...

converted or killed believe it or not was a very successful way to grow a religion... sadly

...most people believe what their parents did or pretend to without really know if they do or not, just easier to say they do

I think 75% believe in a higher power, i am not convinced that 75% really take the bible as the literal word of God

when was the last time someone called you and took a poll on your beliefs? me either....


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Because they go in there and concert to Christianity, like that somehow absolves them of their wrongdoings.

 

Please show your source of statistics ... somehow I believe you are speaking through ignorance of the subject matter... Everyone is an absolute... as such, there should be no recidivist rate once prisoners are released.

 

Mak, prison is a consequence not absolution.

 

Most Christian prisoners became Christian after incarceration. We have missionary's who go into the prisons to save them.

 

Ah. Of course. That must be it. So let me guess. The ENTRY rate of prisoners is 75% atheist and 1% christians, and once theuy are there, the numbers swap?

 

Obviously at least 51% of them were non-Christian, since he said 'most'. Although you have to admit he didn't specify from what they converted. Maybe there are millions of wiccans who go to jail then convert.

 

Yeah, that is what he said. Only 20% have no religion, but for some odd reason, they should be counted as Christians rather than atheits? That a 'better' numbers swap?

 

Well, since Christians make up a majority of the population, it stands to reason that they would be proportionately represented in the prison populations as well. Not sure I see the point of your question.

 

What have the prisoners of no OR unknown religion (not just 'no' religion as you wish us to believe) got to do with Johntherepublican's point, which is about the percentage of people who are KNOWN to identify themselves as Christians?