Religious have more reason to commit crimes

"Helge Moulding"  wrote in message news:c8f02u$nca$1@terabinaries.xmission.com... >
>  > Many non-believers commit crimes.
>
> But believers commit more of them. Believers have more reasons to commit
> crimes than non-believers. Not only are believers subject to the
> ordinary temptations of all people, but they get to add the impulse to
> do bad things in the name of their deity. And, yes, I know, you're gonna
> point out that believers should fear the wrath of God. Except I see no
> actual evidence that that's so. Al Capone went to church on Sundays, you
> know.
>
I'm not sure what's more depressing: Helge's argument, or the fact that I agree with it.   Old friends, most of whom are Catholic, sometimes ask why on earth I joined a small, obscure, declining religion. I explain that this denomination, having so few members and a tolerant ideology, is too small to persecute anyone. If we were large and powerful[*], we would probably turn let power go to our heads in some way [insert obligatory Lord Acton quote about here].     The fact that the church was right across the street didn't hurt, either.    

 

[*] insane would work, too. Even small religions can be dangerous if crazy.