CANADA
Daily Brew
By Matthew Coutts | Daily Brew
A new study suggesting religion doesn’t work to deter criminal behaviour is being trumpeted as controversial and provocative. But haven’t most of us already figured this out, already?
The U.S. study suggests that criminals are able to adopt religious messages to support their behaviour through “purposeful distortion or genuine ignorance.”
Many inmates interviewed as part of the study, published in the journal Theoretical Criminology, were able to rationalize and excuse their violent behaviour — one even said he prayed before each crime to “stay cool with Jesus.”
The study’s lead author, Volkan Topalli, told Postmedia News:
People have to understand that presenting religious doctrine to people isn’t enough to change their behaviour. (Faith-based services) have to be systematic and about behaviour change — religion has to be a vehicle, rather than the goal.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.