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I think the conclusions that can legitimately be drawn from this in a hard and fast manner are questionable, but it is consistent with most of the studies I've seen where the moral, ethical, and social behaviors of theists are not demonstrably different from non-theists. Rates of divorce, incarceration for crimes, and other comparisons are pretty much within the margin of error from what I have seen.
If religion were essential to maintaining the very fabric of civil society and were the true source of all morality, we'd expect to see obvious differences in how believers comport themselves in the world, but all I can conclude is that people's goodness or badness, if you will, is pretty much independent of their faith, and could be either positively or negatively influenced by faith. Good people are good in spite of faith and bad people are bad in spite of faith.
What religion? Moderator cut: deleted
The article is woefully inadequate. We know nothing about them--their level of involvement in the religion, or even what religion they were.
Last edited by june 7th; 10-26-2013 at 10:48 AM..
Reason: Sarcasm encourages flaming/flame wars.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
10,202 posts, read 7,930,909 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vizio
What religion? Moderator cut: deleted
The article is woefully inadequate. We know nothing about them--their level of involvement in the religion, or even what religion they were.
It doesn't matter what religion. Virtually all religions stress honesty. Do you know one that does not?
This study individuals self identify as being religious or not and what degree of religiosity they had.
It doesn't matter what religion. Virtually all religions stress honesty. Do you know one that does not?
This study individuals self identify as being religious or not and what degree of religiosity they had.
Islam considers it a good thing to lie to non-muslims. Not saying that this is the case, but again--without more information about the people in the survey, we have no idea if they are faithful churchgoers, or if they simply attend at Christmas and Easter and call themselves Christians.
I have no idea what it means when they call themselves religious...or if they even adhere to their religion's teachings. Take a look at this board--we have a bunch of people that call themselves religious, call themselves members of whatever religion...yet they believe a HUGE variety of things.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
10,202 posts, read 7,930,909 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vizio
Islam considers it a good thing to lie to non-muslims. Not saying that this is the case, but again--without more information about the people in the survey, we have no idea if they are faithful churchgoers, or if they simply attend at Christmas and Easter and call themselves Christians.
I have no idea what it means when they call themselves religious...or if they even adhere to their religion's teachings. Take a look at this board--we have a bunch of people that call themselves religious, call themselves members of whatever religion...yet they believe a HUGE variety of things.
I can pretty well guarantee you there's not a whole bunch of Muslims at the University of Saskatchewan. Also not a whole bunch of Jewish faith.
From Wikipedia:
Protestant: 41.5%
Roman Catholic: 32.3%
No religion: 19.0%
Eastern Orthodox: 1.8%
Other Christian: 2.9%
Other religion: 2.5%
I wasn't suggesting they were muslims in the survey--I answered the question of what religion would value lying. My point is that there are some.
Now...again, I question....how serious are those folks in the survey about their faith? In this country something like 80% of the people CLAIM Christianity...yet we know that 80% of the people are not devout Christians. Do the people in this survey ACTUALLY practice the religion they claim? Do they ACTUALLY believe it?
Now...again, I question....how serious are those folks in the survey about their faith? In this country something like 80% of the people CLAIM Christianity...yet we know that 80% of the people are not devout Christians. Do the people in this survey ACTUALLY practice the religion they claim? Do they ACTUALLY believe it?
There's a litmus test for faith? One has to be "devout" to call themselves a Christian?
Lol, I can just see it: We take a survey and have to tick a box for our faith and someone in the back of the room is yelling, "Don't you check that box! I didn't see you at church on Sunday and besides..... you're Catholic!"
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